A CHARITY that works to secure a resilient and enduring Christian community in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel, and Jordan is seeking support for a cheese-making enterprise.

The thriving small business was started by a Roman Catholic priest, Fr Mario, who had a taste for Italian cheese, and believed that local production could both benefit the economy and provide a living for local women. He recruited an agricultural engineer, Ikhlas, as his project manager, and they set about creating recipes.

The factory now covers its own costs, employs 14 women, and has led to the creation of a successful pizza and pasta restaurant in Amman, near by, which has resulted in more employment for local people.

Now, the charity Friends of the Holy Land, which met the start-up costs of training, equipment, and six women’s salaries, is seeking donations to buy 50 additional sheep for the flock that provides the milk, at roughly £160 each.

The shepherd who delivers the milk each morning is now unable to meet the demand, as the reputation of the pecorino and ricotta cheeses has grown. Buying extra from local farmers has proved too expensive; so the charity is seeking donations towards more sheep.

Ikhlas has spoken of the difference that the work has made in the women’s lives: she herself had been resigned to leaving the village of Ader to seek work in Amman, two hours away, but can now support herself and her family — a situation replicated for the others.

Christians now account for less than two per cent of the overall population of the Holy Land. The focus of the charity’s work, which is ecumenical, is providing practical help directly to the most needy and vulnerable, to help communities to flourish. The Archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster are patrons, along with the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams.

The chief executive of Friends of the Holy Land, Brendan Metcalfe, said last week: “We would love to have the funding to help the project purchase 50 additional sheep for their flock, which will allow them to ensure quality milk is being used in the production of the cheese and keep the overall costs lower.

“The expansion of their flock will ensure the team can continue to meet the high demand for their products and ensure the continued employment of local Christians. So far, we have raised enough money to buy 15 sheep, and would like to thank all our donors for their generosity.”

friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/donate