Our mission is to provide psychological support and counselling for people who suffer from the symptoms of PTSD and other stress-related disorders. In addition, we seek to enhance the skills of workers in the field of Psycho-traumatology particularly, and mental health more generally. To this end, we provide training based on well-developed scientific programs to meet their professional needs, and to equip them with the best methods and skills. Moreover, we provide the community with educational programs in order to raise awareness about mental health issues and other mental health concerns within Palestinian society.
Our Vision
We excel in undertaking our responsibility to contributing towards a Palestinian society with sound psychological health.
Our Philosophy
We provide modern and comprehensive mental health services.
Our Values and Culture
Our culture and values are founded on the social and psychological environment, the principles of human rights, gender equality, justice, non-discrimination, integrity, transparency, and combatting all forms of violence.
Our Story
In 2003, Foundation Wings of Hope Germany was established as an independent non-profit foundation. In the following years, the foundation expanded its international network and developed specific trauma and peace work programs for other countries.
Since 2007, Foundation Wings of Hope Germany created structures in Bethlehem, from which a local Palestinian independent organization, Wings of Hope for trauma, was developed, taking into account the political challenges and its consequences, economically and socially, on Palestinians.
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is one of the world’s most enduring conflicts, with the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip reaching 54 years of conflict. The Israel and Palestine conflict is complex. It’s rooted in national, political, territorial, cultural and religious factors. Yet, the violence between Israelis and Palestinians is often falsely presented as a conflict between two equal sides with irreconcilable claims to one piece of land.
In reality, this is a conflict over territory between a nation-state, Israel, with one of the world’s most powerful and well-funded militaries, and an indigenous population of Palestinians that has been occupied, displaced, and exiled for decades.
The ongoing Israeli occupation, but also inner political, economic, and social challenges have left deep scars on the Palestinian society. Everyday life is shaped by a feeling of helplessness and vulnerability. As a result of these circumstances physical violence and psychosocial problems are not a rare occurrence, especially within families and schools. However, consequences of trauma are rarely discussed within the Palestinians society, therefore many people lack the resources to deal with trauma related symptoms. Moreover, specialized organizations available to provide adequate support are scarce.
Wings of Hope for trauma opened the Trauma Healing Center in Bethlehem in 2011, offering a range of trauma therapeutic and psychosocial support options. Within this framework, Wings of Hope for trauma trains mental health practitioners and social professionals in psychotraumatology in cooperation with the foundation Wings of Hope Germany and the Center for Psychotraumatology and Trauma therapy in Lower Saxony/ZPTN. This enables them to help people suffering from the consequences of violence in the Trauma Healing Center of Wings of Hope for trauma.
Trauma work is an active contribution against violence in Palestine and thus active peace work.