Tunisia

UTAIM Day Center for the Mentally Handicapped (2007-ongoing)

In this moderate Arab country with a small but historic Jewish community, JDC has been working for several years with the Tunisian Union for Social Solidarity (UTSS), the nationwide, government-sponsored umbrella organization for charitable endeavors.

In Djerba, where Jews have reportedly lived since the days of the First Temple, JDC and UTSS have joined forces to help the UTAIM Day Center (Union Tunisienne pour Aider les Insuffisants Mentaux). One of the rare institutions in the country that serves Arabs, Berbers and Jews, the Djerba branch of UTAIM serves 72 children and young adults. Through UTSS, JDC has provided the Center with badly needed classroom materials and educational games. A small rural facility has also been created and stocked, in which these mentally retarded young people (up to age 30) raise farm animals for produce and sale. This provides vocational training for those who are capable and income and in-kind support for the participants and the Center. Working with the animals is also therapeutic; giving participants a sense of accomplishment.

Because of the sensitivity of Arab-Jewish relations, JDC's activities in this area take on added importance for all concerned.