Gabès

Gabès the largest oasis in the country, is situated on the coast, on the main road between Tunis and Tripoli (Libya). Palm groves extend from the edge of the sea along to the small fruit and vegetable plots of Chenini. Yet ancient documents record Gabès (Tacape) as being rich in vegetation: Pliny the Elder (23-79) wrote: ... under a very tall palm tree, grows an olive tree, under that a fig tree, under the fig, a pomegranate, under the last a vine: under the vine, are planted wheat and vegetables... Throughout history Gabès  was also a pivotal trade centre and an important slave market.

Today, the ports play a key role in exporting phosphates to Europe. Due to the existence of this important chemical industry, many of the old wells have dried up, the lush oasis is gradually being replaced by residential developments and industrial pollution is an pressing issue. Other resources on which Gabès  is dependent are the cultivation of henna and pomegranates and the production of date palm wine.

ACT team: Since the beginning of the presence of ACT in Gabès  a close collaboration has been built up with different centres for people with disabilities across the south of Tunisia (Gabès , Mareth, Medenine and El Hamma...). ACT also works closely with other local organisations.
Disability:

• Work in partnership with a local NGO, UTAIM (Union Tunisienne d’Aide aux Insuffisants Mentaux), particularly in exchange of ideas and in the training of educators
• Carpenters, speech therapists, psychologists and educators from ACT work with local people in their centres  on a number of educational projects
• Projects working towards integrating young people with disabilities into the school system were started in 2002

Vulnerable people:

• Under the umbrella of our agreement with the Ministry of Social Affairs, ACT works with two homes for newborn babies, encouraging ongoing training for their personnel
• Another project offers vocational training to single mothers with the aim of enabling them to keep their children and provide for their needs.