Case study of Naffaa’

At the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre (JPBC), Palestinian children with disabilities like Naffaa receive life-changing care, despite the immense challenges of life under Israeli occupation.

Naffaa and his mother are sitting at a desk with pen and paper in front of them. Both are smiling. You can see the hands of a doctor at the Centre across the table. Naffaa is learning and his mother is accompanying him.

Raja’a and his mother Naffaa’ learning together at the Centre

Raja’a has just celebrated both her own birthday and her son Naffaa’s fifth birthday at the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre (JPBC). She is in the third week of a residential treatment programme called the Mother and Family Empowerment Programme —a core part of JPBC’s family-centred model. Over the course of three two-week residential blocks across 12 months, the programme empowers parents with the skills and confidence to become their child’s “home therapist” while also receiving vital psychosocial support.

Naffaa’ was given a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy when he was one year old. Raja’a remembers:

“Initially, my days were full of crying and worrying about the future for my son and we went from doctor to doctor looking for help.”

A child with crutches walking across a ladder placed on the floor with the help of a physiotherapist holding his back. The physiotherapist is a man dressed in blue scrubs. They are in a room with lots of physical exercise equipment.

Naffaa’ working with a physiotherapist at the Centre

After an initial assessment at JPBC’s outreach clinic in Jenin, Naffaa’ was referred to Jerusalem for treatment. Raja’a describes how, after several sessions at the Centre, Naffaa’ progressed from sitting to crawling—and can now walk with assistance.

“I take hope from this place. At first it was hard, but I have grown in strength, and I feel positive and optimistic about my son’s future as he learns to be more independent.”

As part of the Mother and Family Empowerment Programme, Raja’a has joined workshops with social workers, learned daily therapy techniques from JPBC’s multidisciplinary team, and taken part in community sessions with other mothers. These sessions aim not just to build skills, but also confidence—so mothers can advocate for their children in school, healthcare settings, and public life. Originally designed to support 120 parents, the programme has now reached over 181 mothers and 76 fathers, offering tools that extend far beyond the Centre and into homes and communities across the West Bank.

The family faced many obstacles to find a school for Naffaa’ but are delighted that he is now enrolled in kindergarten and Naffaa’ loves going every morning. Raja’a supported him in his first week in class but was encouraged to return home as he was integrating so well and his teacher was also a great encouragement to him. JPBC’s therapist and Raja’a recalled how protective the family were during the pandemic and how they have progressively learnt to allow Naffaa’ to be included in many normal childhood activities, enabling him to thrive.

Naffaa’ himself tells his mother

“I am getting bigger and stronger and soon I will play football.”

Raja’a urges other mothers to stay steadfast:

“The journey ahead may be long, but it is worthwhile. Persevere. Be hopeful. Work with your child. Be positive and confident and things will improve step by step.”

The Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre

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