St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital
Past editions of the charity’s newsletter, Jerusalem Scene can be viewed here.
The Provincial Priory of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire and its nine Preceptories support a wide number of local charities.
The Knights of the Province also enthusiastically support the chosen charity of Great Priory; the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital. This is a charitable foundation of the (non-Masonic) Venerable Order of St John, the oldest charity in the world.
The United, Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta as a whole give considerable support to the Jerusalem Eye Hospital by donations, Giftaid and through collections at Preceptory, Provincial and Great Priory meetings. The Hospital is located in East Jerusalem, and was founded in 1882. Whilst it treats all who seek its care, irrespective of race, creed or ability to pay, the reality is that it serves the predominantly Arab populations of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem (population more than 3 million) for whom it is the sole provider of quality ophthalmic care and professional training.
Eye disease causing blindness is ten times more common in this region than in developed countries. In 2009, the hospital treated 92,384 patients 31,017 of whom were under the age of 18. Furthermore, a permanently staffed clinic is maintained in Gaza and there is a very active outreach programme of mobile clinics to the villages and refugee camps in the West Bank.
The Hospital is run as a heavily subsidised fee-based establishment, about 75% of its income being derived from donations and grants. Further information about the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital can be found here. Information on how you can Donate to St John of Jerusalem Eye hospital can be found here. The completed form should be sent via the Provincial Vice Chancellor and clearly marked with the Preceptory name and number. Contact details are shown in the Provincial Year Book or may be obtained from your Preceptory Registrar.