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| Christmas with the christian children in Gaza |
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
December 2009 events
This month I am writing on the 9 th. and up to this date we still have no permission to enter, nor has journalists and other NGOs been allowed in. Now there only a few hours of electricity is given during the week. People will be receiving food twice this month, due to not getting theirs in November. We regret that they didn't have the November distribution before the feast of Adahak which was the 8 th., yesterday.
Monday, December 1, 2008
November 2008 events
Again we were not permitted to enter. The transfer of money is increasingly difficult, due to this we were unable to get it transferred to our bank there until the end of the month. People are unable to cook their food or do so on wood fires due to no cooking gas. Electricity is limited to six hours daily. Life continues to be more difficult for everyone. The school chosen to be the fourth that we helping with the breakfast program is that of Masaddar, which has helped us with the coupon distribution in that area now for several years. Their area, all agricultural and near to the boarder, is especially in need. This month our team met and we studied what possibilities we have for the present and future due to the disintegrating situation. Rugs will be purchased for each classroom as the children are all still sitting on the floor. There are no chairs or tables available in the stores.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
October 2008 happenings
We were unable to visit this month as the boarders were closed and no passes given. Still our lady there, Sabah, was able to keep our two programs running. The children received a breakfast, yet not like before when ANERA was able to get high protein wafers and milk to the schools. Coupons were again distributed to 150 families to choose what foods they needed most. Due to no gasoline, the little public transportation being too expensive or non existent, a donkey cart collected the food for many families. Ten families were added to the 150 making them 160 and Sabah worked on getting the information on each of the new families with pictures for our faithful benefactors that of Tuesday's Child out of Ireland.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Events in september 2008
With the time for schools to open Hamas gave some of the schools the keys to allow them to open. Each room had to be repainted due to the damage and graffiti. The children gradually returned but had to sit on the floor due to no chairs and tables. Tape recorders, books and everything in the kitchens were gone. We bought those schools supplies, so that the four schools would have something to begin with. This month we were able to visit only once. We also visited two very poor families. One was living four years in two tents, a family of 10, as their home had been destroyed. The father had just died six months before of a heart attack. This family received the monthly food coupons from our program. They were all very thin, as our food only lasts about ten days.
Monday, September 1, 2008
August 2008 events
The situation for our schools became critical as Hamas entered the schools at night and in some broke windows and in all wrote graffiti on the wall. They proceeded to take everything out and in one of our schools burnt the books and furniture in the play yard. They took the keys or boarded up the schools not allowing anyone to enter
Monday, July 7, 2008
Report: trip to Gaza June 30 08
Early on June 30th, Bro. Andres, Andrea, and I, Fr. Don M., drove to Gaza, using PBI’s Honda. We got through Erez in good fashion, with a reminder to be back by 4 PM since the crossing closes at 7 PM. Sabah met us on the Gaza side, with Admon our regular cab driver. We drove first to the Sakher School in the Sujjaya section of Gaza City. These 60 nursery school children were in the second week of a two week session of summer school. I am amazed at how much joy they get from so little. The teachers at the school (volunteers?) are an inspiration to the kids. Most of the children (and a few of the teachers) were wearing summer school baseball caps and white T-shirts with black trim around the V neck and a black logo on the front “Children for the Future” (in English and Arabic), and on the back “Daughters of Charity Gaza Project” – a very well designed T-shirt. The children were in three different groups playing games, or learning some sort of songs or sayings that they would shout out with great glee. The Sakher school has two such two-week summer sessions, including either breakfast or lunch, and trips to the sea (not sure how many).
The second school we visited was the Light and Hope School (Nur al Amal?), also in the Sujjayah section of Gaza City. We funded this school because the nursery school in Beit Hanoun (our usual target school) already had sufficient funding from Anera and other NGO’s for their summer sessions. This summer school was for 60 children about 8-10 years old, again with the same T-shirts and caps. It seemed to be more “professional” in its approach, perhaps because of the age differential. One class I watched in a darkened room was doing some impromptu play-acting, with two children in the center of their circled classmates, responding to different prompts from the teacher. Another class I watched seemed to be learning dancing. Later, after lunch had been served, this class put on a lovely performance of folk-dancing for all to watch.
These were two of the seven schools funded by our donors with 5000 NIS each. We did not have time to visit the others. One question raised (presuming we have the correct information) The Light and Hope School was only having one summer session of two weeks for 5000 NIS, the Sakher School was having two such sessions with the same 5000 NIS. What about the other five schools. My impression was that they were to have two such sessions for the kids. Why the discrepancy? Perhaps we were not explicit in what we expected for the 5000 NIS given to these seven schools. We will verify what was done in all seven schools and then make more explicit directions for future summer sessions.
We also visited two of the needy families we support living in the Beit Lahiya section close to the Israeli border. What was encouraging, in addition to the obvious bond between parents and children and among the children themselves, was Sabah’s report that the move to food vouchers which we adopted in the last months in place of food stuffs delivered to the families, was deeply appreciated. Each family can choose from 25 approved items, and this enables them to adapt the help more to their own needs. We hope to continue this program through December, assisting a total of 150 families associated with the three schools we were helping. This program of family assistance comes to 30,000 NIS per month. Sabah thinks it is working quite well.
Our final stop was with the Missionaries of Charity for Mass and a visit with some of their handicapped children. I don't know to what extent we are giving them assistance. In all cases all were delighted with Sister Susan’s imminent return and are looking forward to welcoming her back. Fawzia joined us for some of the visits we made, and we did stop by briefly at one of the womens council groups with whom Sabah is connected.
The second school we visited was the Light and Hope School (Nur al Amal?), also in the Sujjayah section of Gaza City. We funded this school because the nursery school in Beit Hanoun (our usual target school) already had sufficient funding from Anera and other NGO’s for their summer sessions. This summer school was for 60 children about 8-10 years old, again with the same T-shirts and caps. It seemed to be more “professional” in its approach, perhaps because of the age differential. One class I watched in a darkened room was doing some impromptu play-acting, with two children in the center of their circled classmates, responding to different prompts from the teacher. Another class I watched seemed to be learning dancing. Later, after lunch had been served, this class put on a lovely performance of folk-dancing for all to watch.
These were two of the seven schools funded by our donors with 5000 NIS each. We did not have time to visit the others. One question raised (presuming we have the correct information) The Light and Hope School was only having one summer session of two weeks for 5000 NIS, the Sakher School was having two such sessions with the same 5000 NIS. What about the other five schools. My impression was that they were to have two such sessions for the kids. Why the discrepancy? Perhaps we were not explicit in what we expected for the 5000 NIS given to these seven schools. We will verify what was done in all seven schools and then make more explicit directions for future summer sessions.
We also visited two of the needy families we support living in the Beit Lahiya section close to the Israeli border. What was encouraging, in addition to the obvious bond between parents and children and among the children themselves, was Sabah’s report that the move to food vouchers which we adopted in the last months in place of food stuffs delivered to the families, was deeply appreciated. Each family can choose from 25 approved items, and this enables them to adapt the help more to their own needs. We hope to continue this program through December, assisting a total of 150 families associated with the three schools we were helping. This program of family assistance comes to 30,000 NIS per month. Sabah thinks it is working quite well.
Our final stop was with the Missionaries of Charity for Mass and a visit with some of their handicapped children. I don't know to what extent we are giving them assistance. In all cases all were delighted with Sister Susan’s imminent return and are looking forward to welcoming her back. Fawzia joined us for some of the visits we made, and we did stop by briefly at one of the womens council groups with whom Sabah is connected.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Visit to Gaza on Thursday, June 5, 2008
Brother Lorenzo and myself - Brother Joe - met Sabah and Ahmad, the taxi driver, about 9:30AM. Passage through the checkpoint was rather smooth. We went immediately to the Main Center of the Daher Associate in Shijayyia . We help the Zakhar Kindergarten one of the nursery schools they sponsor in Sha’af area. After a discussion with Sabah about the conditions for summer camps and record keeping, Br. Lorenzo gave the principal NIS1,200, the stipulated cost of one summer camp, and promised on return to Bethany to see if funds were available for supporting a second summer camp since they work with over 120 children in the kindergarten, far too many for one camp.
From there we went to the Arab Palestinian Front, Main Center where we met Fawziyya who runs the kindergarten In Beit Hanoun and also participates in the emergency food distribution. It was safer to meet Fawziyya in Gaza City, as well as the fact the since kindergartens have been closed for several weeks, we would not be able to meet any of the children or teachers. It was at this meeting that Br. Lorenzo purchased six handmade rugs to assist financially the women of the society.
Then along with Fawziyya we went to the Association of Women Committees for Social Work to meet Maha and Mohammad to discuss food distribution. Before the discussion, Br. Lorenzo distributed funds for the summer camps administered by Mohammad in the Mosaddar area and Fawziyya in the Beit Hanoun area, as well as giving funds for two other camps that we could not visit this time.
The discussion about the food distribution began with the statement that the funds for June and July and hopefully August would be NIS 23,000 regardless of the exchange rate. This was followed by a discussion concerning a major revision in the methodology. Sabah suggested and the others agreed that since some families do not need all of the food items that we supply in bulk, arrangements be made with food markets that the families come on a certain specified day of the month to choose the food that they need up to the amount of NIS 200 per family.
One of the team, involved with the food distribution, would be present at each market to observe and monitor the distribution. This was accepted by Brother Lorenzo and myself as a good suggestion and we could try it for one month and then analyze the revised system.
With the short time remaining Fawziyya brought us to one of the poor families on her distribution list to take photographs for the donors. I have seen too many poor families and have some reservations about photographs, so I decided to remain outside the home.
There I had a clear view of Ashkelon because of the treeless and building less surroundings. It was easy to see why Beit Lahia is a place for firing rockets on Israel. Needless to say I was rather nervous and prayed that no missiles from Ashkelon were fired while we were there. Incidentally the very next morning, several missiles were fired into Beit Lahia causing several deaths and injuries
That ended our interesting and successful business day. We took Sabah home on our way to Eretz. Exiting took less than an hour and by 2:30 PM we were on our way to Bethany with a sigh of relief. As always I am relieved on getting into the car and moving out of the checkpoint area. I feel like I am going into prison after leaving passport control and walking through the passageways lined with iron pipes to exit the checkpoint building and continuing for several hundred more yards through the old and now dilapidated covered walkway, used before the new facilities were built ,to reach the open air and rocky, uneven sandy ground and chewed up tarmac until finally reaching the taxi area about a twenty minute walk all told, and then at the end of the visit reversing that walk through the more closely controlled passageways, the cage-like body control area before reaching passport control moving though the last locked door before exiting the building to the care.
This is the closes I get to the everyday feelings of the Palestinian people.
I must add one impression about the visit that surprised me but made me so proud of the Gazans. On our way from Shijayya to Gaza City we passed through a thriving market area, bustling with activity with cars and donkey drawn carts blocking the roads, horns blowing, people walking between cars.
Markets of all varieties not just food were busy, people in and out, noise, laughter, peddlers barking and everything that one finds in a bustling city. I mentioned this to Sabah and she said that while the economy is terrible and we are hungry, we must still live and we do the best we can under the circumstances. And a glaring one was that for the past three days electricity has been cancelled for 10 hours and usually during daytime. It was hot, hot that Thursday, A/C is rare, a few fans, no breezes from the nearby sea.
From there we went to the Arab Palestinian Front, Main Center where we met Fawziyya who runs the kindergarten In Beit Hanoun and also participates in the emergency food distribution. It was safer to meet Fawziyya in Gaza City, as well as the fact the since kindergartens have been closed for several weeks, we would not be able to meet any of the children or teachers. It was at this meeting that Br. Lorenzo purchased six handmade rugs to assist financially the women of the society.
Then along with Fawziyya we went to the Association of Women Committees for Social Work to meet Maha and Mohammad to discuss food distribution. Before the discussion, Br. Lorenzo distributed funds for the summer camps administered by Mohammad in the Mosaddar area and Fawziyya in the Beit Hanoun area, as well as giving funds for two other camps that we could not visit this time.
The discussion about the food distribution began with the statement that the funds for June and July and hopefully August would be NIS 23,000 regardless of the exchange rate. This was followed by a discussion concerning a major revision in the methodology. Sabah suggested and the others agreed that since some families do not need all of the food items that we supply in bulk, arrangements be made with food markets that the families come on a certain specified day of the month to choose the food that they need up to the amount of NIS 200 per family.
One of the team, involved with the food distribution, would be present at each market to observe and monitor the distribution. This was accepted by Brother Lorenzo and myself as a good suggestion and we could try it for one month and then analyze the revised system.With the short time remaining Fawziyya brought us to one of the poor families on her distribution list to take photographs for the donors. I have seen too many poor families and have some reservations about photographs, so I decided to remain outside the home.
There I had a clear view of Ashkelon because of the treeless and building less surroundings. It was easy to see why Beit Lahia is a place for firing rockets on Israel. Needless to say I was rather nervous and prayed that no missiles from Ashkelon were fired while we were there. Incidentally the very next morning, several missiles were fired into Beit Lahia causing several deaths and injuries
That ended our interesting and successful business day. We took Sabah home on our way to Eretz. Exiting took less than an hour and by 2:30 PM we were on our way to Bethany with a sigh of relief. As always I am relieved on getting into the car and moving out of the checkpoint area. I feel like I am going into prison after leaving passport control and walking through the passageways lined with iron pipes to exit the checkpoint building and continuing for several hundred more yards through the old and now dilapidated covered walkway, used before the new facilities were built ,to reach the open air and rocky, uneven sandy ground and chewed up tarmac until finally reaching the taxi area about a twenty minute walk all told, and then at the end of the visit reversing that walk through the more closely controlled passageways, the cage-like body control area before reaching passport control moving though the last locked door before exiting the building to the care.This is the closes I get to the everyday feelings of the Palestinian people.
I must add one impression about the visit that surprised me but made me so proud of the Gazans. On our way from Shijayya to Gaza City we passed through a thriving market area, bustling with activity with cars and donkey drawn carts blocking the roads, horns blowing, people walking between cars.
Markets of all varieties not just food were busy, people in and out, noise, laughter, peddlers barking and everything that one finds in a bustling city. I mentioned this to Sabah and she said that while the economy is terrible and we are hungry, we must still live and we do the best we can under the circumstances. And a glaring one was that for the past three days electricity has been cancelled for 10 hours and usually during daytime. It was hot, hot that Thursday, A/C is rare, a few fans, no breezes from the nearby sea.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Meeting at Bethany, Saturday, May 24, 2008
Brothers Lorenzo & Andréa, Father Don Moore, Andrea Merli, and Br. Joe
The most important decision made was: both Orla of Tuesday Child and Oliver and Maren contact by e-mail Brother Lorenzo directly, since he is accountant for all funds relating the work in Gaza of the Daughters of Charity Gaza project this year. Copies of these e-mails should be sent to Brother Andrea and Sister Susan. Br. Joe was asked to e-mail Orla and Oliver and Marin as soon as possible and to explain this decision to them. This change will not only simplify matters but in may cases expedite movements.
Two decisions were made to be effective immediately
1. To keep the emergency food program operating for the next three months of June, July and August (if we have funds for August).
The amount spent each month will be fixed at NIS 23,000 equivalent to $7,000.00 at today's rate regardless of the exchange rate.
Br. Joe was requested to ask Orla when Tuesday's' Child will begin to send the monthly checks for food distribution as mentioned in her letter of May 19th.
2. Summer camps will be funded as planned.
Oliver is to be requested to send the funds for 4 camps as usual to the bank as soon as possible and to notify Br. Lorenzo when the funds have been transferred.
This year because of the lower exchange rates and the increased cost of food in Gaza, Oliver will be asked to increase the amount per camp by $200.00, which means that one camp would cost $1,200.00 and the four camps would total $ 4,800,00.
If Oliver has any more funds, we would ask him to increase the number of summer camps.
This summer many organization in Gaza are funding summer camps for as many children as possible but over 8 years. Nothing is being done for kindergarten children so our program is most worthwhile.
Other decisions were made for the coming academic year beginning September or later in the year
1. A major problem mentioned during our visit to Gaza on Wednesday May 13th was that the Kindergarten teachers have not been paid for most of this year 2008 because the children's parents can no longer pay the small amount of fees required by the administrators of the kindergartens.
Therefore we plan to give each teacher in the kindergartens we assist NIS 200 for a trial period of the two months of September and October. This problem was
2. Concerning support for Kindergartens next year, we would like to increase the fund by NIS 100 due to the higher costs of food.
Also we have decided to set a standard amount per kindergarten based on the number of children registered for the academic semester.
This item needs more discussion and input by Sabah. We are considering the amount of NIS 900 for kindergartens with 100 to 140 pupils and NIS1000 for kindergartens over 140 pupils.
Two other topics to be considered at a later date are job creation and teacher training.
At the end of our last meeting in Gaza, the women displayed a number of examples of their embroidery. We were all impressed and wondered how we could help them sell these items to obtain funds to be used in their various projects. Two ideas were mentioned
1. Try to sell them through the internet by adding a website to the Webpage of the Daughters of Charity Project created by Br. Lorenzo,
2. For now bring as may items as possible with us when we return and try to sell them here.
One final suggestion was made by Father Don just before leaving.
Investigate whether the Women's Association would be willing to be our regular meeting place in Gaza now that we no longer connect with CRS.
June 5 is the tentative date of our next visit to Gaza.
Since our trips to Gaza are very supportive to Sabah and others in Gaza, we plan to set a more regular time for our visits, probably monthly and as regularly as possible in the same week of each month. That will be discussed at a later meeting
Brother Joe
May 25, 2008
The most important decision made was: both Orla of Tuesday Child and Oliver and Maren contact by e-mail Brother Lorenzo directly, since he is accountant for all funds relating the work in Gaza of the Daughters of Charity Gaza project this year. Copies of these e-mails should be sent to Brother Andrea and Sister Susan. Br. Joe was asked to e-mail Orla and Oliver and Marin as soon as possible and to explain this decision to them. This change will not only simplify matters but in may cases expedite movements.
Two decisions were made to be effective immediately
1. To keep the emergency food program operating for the next three months of June, July and August (if we have funds for August).
The amount spent each month will be fixed at NIS 23,000 equivalent to $7,000.00 at today's rate regardless of the exchange rate.
Br. Joe was requested to ask Orla when Tuesday's' Child will begin to send the monthly checks for food distribution as mentioned in her letter of May 19th.
2. Summer camps will be funded as planned.
Oliver is to be requested to send the funds for 4 camps as usual to the bank as soon as possible and to notify Br. Lorenzo when the funds have been transferred.
This year because of the lower exchange rates and the increased cost of food in Gaza, Oliver will be asked to increase the amount per camp by $200.00, which means that one camp would cost $1,200.00 and the four camps would total $ 4,800,00.
If Oliver has any more funds, we would ask him to increase the number of summer camps.
This summer many organization in Gaza are funding summer camps for as many children as possible but over 8 years. Nothing is being done for kindergarten children so our program is most worthwhile.
Other decisions were made for the coming academic year beginning September or later in the year
1. A major problem mentioned during our visit to Gaza on Wednesday May 13th was that the Kindergarten teachers have not been paid for most of this year 2008 because the children's parents can no longer pay the small amount of fees required by the administrators of the kindergartens.
Therefore we plan to give each teacher in the kindergartens we assist NIS 200 for a trial period of the two months of September and October. This problem was
2. Concerning support for Kindergartens next year, we would like to increase the fund by NIS 100 due to the higher costs of food.
Also we have decided to set a standard amount per kindergarten based on the number of children registered for the academic semester.
This item needs more discussion and input by Sabah. We are considering the amount of NIS 900 for kindergartens with 100 to 140 pupils and NIS1000 for kindergartens over 140 pupils.
Two other topics to be considered at a later date are job creation and teacher training.
At the end of our last meeting in Gaza, the women displayed a number of examples of their embroidery. We were all impressed and wondered how we could help them sell these items to obtain funds to be used in their various projects. Two ideas were mentioned
1. Try to sell them through the internet by adding a website to the Webpage of the Daughters of Charity Project created by Br. Lorenzo,
2. For now bring as may items as possible with us when we return and try to sell them here.
One final suggestion was made by Father Don just before leaving.
Investigate whether the Women's Association would be willing to be our regular meeting place in Gaza now that we no longer connect with CRS.
June 5 is the tentative date of our next visit to Gaza.
Since our trips to Gaza are very supportive to Sabah and others in Gaza, we plan to set a more regular time for our visits, probably monthly and as regularly as possible in the same week of each month. That will be discussed at a later meeting
Brother Joe
May 25, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Report visit, May 14, 2008
Father Don Moore, Brother Andres and Brother Joe
We made excellent time in driving to Gaza and arrived at the Eretz crossing at approximately 8:30 AM and by 9:30 AM were in the taxi driving toward Gaza city with Sabah and Ahmad our driver.
Because of the fuel situation, we made only one stop at Zakher School in the Shijaiyya area on the way to our meeting at the Association of Women, Committee for Social Work in Gaza City. I think it important to name some of the participants in the meeting; Maha, Etedal, Maysoon are members of the Women's society while Fawziya, Awatef and Mohammed represented the kindergartens. (I only wrote first names, with difficulty, and didn't even try the family names.)
A most lively and interesting discussion with many excellent ideas and suggestion lasted about one hour and a half.
Toward the end of the meeting, some of the handiwork made by members of the committee was exhibited and needless to say, purchases were made. We all agreed at our next visit to bring more money for further purchases. One suggestion for helping sell these items was to produce a website for internet sales. No promises, but perhaps something practical in this matter will be done.
At the conclusion of the meeting, we made a quick visit to the Mother Teresa Sisters of Charity. Unknown to us, it was their graduation day, but we arrived too late to participate.
We made surprisingly good time on departure, only taking one hour exiting Gaza and the rigmarole of passage to Israel. We left Eretz at 2:30 PM.
The interesting thing about the trip was the quiet and peace in Gaza, no explosions, no overhead noises, no masked men and a fairly good amount of activity in Gaza City especially at the general market. I was surprised at the number of vehicles and when commenting on it it, Sabah said: "Don't you smell it? The cars are operating on cooking oil, petrol is too expensive". What cooking oil does to the motor I don’t' know.
We made excellent time in driving to Gaza and arrived at the Eretz crossing at approximately 8:30 AM and by 9:30 AM were in the taxi driving toward Gaza city with Sabah and Ahmad our driver.
Because of the fuel situation, we made only one stop at Zakher School in the Shijaiyya area on the way to our meeting at the Association of Women, Committee for Social Work in Gaza City. I think it important to name some of the participants in the meeting; Maha, Etedal, Maysoon are members of the Women's society while Fawziya, Awatef and Mohammed represented the kindergartens. (I only wrote first names, with difficulty, and didn't even try the family names.)A most lively and interesting discussion with many excellent ideas and suggestion lasted about one hour and a half.
Toward the end of the meeting, some of the handiwork made by members of the committee was exhibited and needless to say, purchases were made. We all agreed at our next visit to bring more money for further purchases. One suggestion for helping sell these items was to produce a website for internet sales. No promises, but perhaps something practical in this matter will be done.
At the conclusion of the meeting, we made a quick visit to the Mother Teresa Sisters of Charity. Unknown to us, it was their graduation day, but we arrived too late to participate.We made surprisingly good time on departure, only taking one hour exiting Gaza and the rigmarole of passage to Israel. We left Eretz at 2:30 PM.
The interesting thing about the trip was the quiet and peace in Gaza, no explosions, no overhead noises, no masked men and a fairly good amount of activity in Gaza City especially at the general market. I was surprised at the number of vehicles and when commenting on it it, Sabah said: "Don't you smell it? The cars are operating on cooking oil, petrol is too expensive". What cooking oil does to the motor I don’t' know.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
GAZA recent visit Andrea Merli 01-04-2008
Dear all,
here I come with few updates after my recent visit in Gaza and my meeting with Sabah.
In my view, the situation appeared much calmer than in November, and Sabah's husband confirmed that internal security is better since inter-factional fighting has practically ended. Also, I saw myself that there are plenty of food and groceries in the street markets. So, it seems that there is no immediate food shortage. At the same time, most people are moving on donkey-carts, since fuel is extremely scarce and expensive. The Israeli only allow diesel gasoline to enter Gaza, which is used mostly for powering generators. I saw hundreds of cars lined-up in queue at gas stations, despite empty reserves. Also, in few places some clashes happened between the people and the Hamas police, which apparently was preventing the little gas available to be sold for keeping it for their own needs. There's no way to say if that was true, but the intensity of these confrontations was fairly limited. And that is all unrest I personally witnessed. Electric power still comes and goes, but it is available in most areas untill midnight. Is seems that Egypt is providing additional power to the local capacity.
Now, concerning our project, I discussed with Sabah the idea of starting some little income-generation activities by hiring unemployed people as support staff for the schools, for example as cleaners or gardeners. She said that this kind of help would be much more needed than the food packs. So, she suggested to reduce the number of food packs from 150 to 50, and to give some people the opportunity to work. This is really the most appreciated support, besides contributing to the schools expenses.
Practically, Sabah told me that the average salary for such jobs would be 400 NIS per month. Given that information we should plan at least for a one-year support, that would make 400 x 12 = 4800 NIS per year per worker. Let us say 5000 NIS. Now it is up to us, depending on the budget, to tell Sabah how many people we want to hire for the next year. After we give her an idea, then she will contact the schools, consider their needs and look for the appropriate people together with the teachers. I really think we should move into this kind of activity and reduce the food packs.
Also, I mentioned to Sabah the opportunity to find and support another school, and she said she would think about it. Finally, I gave her 1000 NIS as agreed with Andres in order to cover the expenses for Mother's Day. I have the receipt with me.
That's all for the moment.
All the best!
Andrea
here I come with few updates after my recent visit in Gaza and my meeting with Sabah.
In my view, the situation appeared much calmer than in November, and Sabah's husband confirmed that internal security is better since inter-factional fighting has practically ended. Also, I saw myself that there are plenty of food and groceries in the street markets. So, it seems that there is no immediate food shortage. At the same time, most people are moving on donkey-carts, since fuel is extremely scarce and expensive. The Israeli only allow diesel gasoline to enter Gaza, which is used mostly for powering generators. I saw hundreds of cars lined-up in queue at gas stations, despite empty reserves. Also, in few places some clashes happened between the people and the Hamas police, which apparently was preventing the little gas available to be sold for keeping it for their own needs. There's no way to say if that was true, but the intensity of these confrontations was fairly limited. And that is all unrest I personally witnessed. Electric power still comes and goes, but it is available in most areas untill midnight. Is seems that Egypt is providing additional power to the local capacity.
Now, concerning our project, I discussed with Sabah the idea of starting some little income-generation activities by hiring unemployed people as support staff for the schools, for example as cleaners or gardeners. She said that this kind of help would be much more needed than the food packs. So, she suggested to reduce the number of food packs from 150 to 50, and to give some people the opportunity to work. This is really the most appreciated support, besides contributing to the schools expenses.
Practically, Sabah told me that the average salary for such jobs would be 400 NIS per month. Given that information we should plan at least for a one-year support, that would make 400 x 12 = 4800 NIS per year per worker. Let us say 5000 NIS. Now it is up to us, depending on the budget, to tell Sabah how many people we want to hire for the next year. After we give her an idea, then she will contact the schools, consider their needs and look for the appropriate people together with the teachers. I really think we should move into this kind of activity and reduce the food packs.
Also, I mentioned to Sabah the opportunity to find and support another school, and she said she would think about it. Finally, I gave her 1000 NIS as agreed with Andres in order to cover the expenses for Mother's Day. I have the receipt with me.
That's all for the moment.
All the best!
Andrea
Friday, March 14, 2008
Mission Report Gaza, March 12, 2008
Brothers Andrea and Lorenzo and I were met by Sabah with taxi around 10.15 at the Gaza side of the checkpoint. We drove to the nursery school in Beit Hanoun and arrived about 10.30. This was one of the areas severely hit by the Israeli incursion of two weeks ago (and an area from which were fired many of the rockets aimed at Israeli towns). School was canceled for a week. The kids and teachers have been back for about a week now. Bishara Hamad, head of the school, welcomed us; school was in session.
We met Dr. Khalad Dahlan, a psychiatrist from the Gaza Community Mental Health Program. He told us how many of the children (and adults) are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS); in his visits to some of the families, the children would cower in the corner of the room, afraid to speak to anyone. For the week that they have been back in class, the teachers have done nothing but play games with them in order to work out some of the stress of these traumatized children. Judging from the squeals of laughter, they seemed to be succeeding, but I did notice some reservation from the kids when we strangers appeared in their class. Dr. Dahlan was explaining the programs they are setting up to help children and their families. There are some 130 children in this school alone. I wish those who turn to violence (Palestinians and Israelis) would realize how easily children are scarred. 
Our next stop was at the Sakehr school in the Sudjayha section of the city, one of the poorest areas, according to Sabah. We met with a number of the staff. Classes had ended for the day. This is the school where we have had most trouble getting receipts. The reasons: There are very few "established" stores in this area of Gaza. Often the food purchased for their programs is bought from vendors on the street. They have set up some sort of system to have the vendors sign a receipt. I don't know whether they are always successful, but Lorenzo will inform us. In addition the school makes a list of what is served in its breakfast program, and Sabah checks that list along with what has been purchased. They seem to be making a great effort to be as transparent as possible with the funds distributed to them. We met with a journalist and with a woman from the "Sakher Project", an educational group that gives educational assistance to our school and to a number of others. The head of the project was recently invited to a conference in Dubai. She was refused permission by Israel to leave the Gaza Strip. The space for the school is rented for about $160 per month. (He wants to raise the rent because he sees "foreigners" visiting the school and thinks that more money is easily available!) The Sakehr school has almost no area for play. They have permission to open the door to the backyard, a small area with an orchard. If the children want to use the space for play, it will mean more rent. One of the "outreach" programs of the school is to teach mothers how to prepare healthy meals for their families, although their choices are very limited. About 90% of families in Gaza are dependent on food aid from the UN and other international sources,a humanitarian crisis in itself, but there is still not enough food to go around. Food in markets is scarce and the prices have soared. The school is in need of fresh and brighter painting, but there is no paint to be had in Gaza (just as there are no building supplies to replace demolished homes, very few medical supplies, very little gasoline (almost all the gas stations we saw were closed), little electric power, and the like. 
From Sudjayha we visited Fawzi at an organization with which she is associated in central Gaza City. We were warmly greeted; they had just finished an award ceremony for five local women active in the area.
Andrea and Lorenzo were able to pick up some rugs, made by some of the women and requested by Italian visitors whom they are expecting. We heard an appeal from a man who is director of the organization: Please let people know what is going on here; we do not support the violence; we are trying to live in peace; we are normal human beings, NOT the caricature created by the media! 
From there we went to the Gaza branch of the Women's Affairs Technical Committee; Sabah does some work for this group. There was a meeting of university students who are trying to get some practical work attached to their study programs so that they may better integrated into society when they graduate.
The Committee has on-going programs for young women in computer training, focus groups on combating family violence and the like. From there we made a brief visit to the Missionaries of Charity with the promise of a longer visit next time for Mass. Then back to Erez. The crossing was relatively smooth, but I noticed they now stamp our passports going and coming -- as one Palestinian friend remarked: "It is like going into a foreign country." Indeed! All we met in Gaza expressed their deep gratitude for the programs run by Daughters of charity. I am sure Andrea will enrich the site with photos and videos.Don
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Our two Religion teachers in Gaza and their ministry
Ghada and Maha have been teaching the children of the Christian sector of the Beach Camp in Gaza for at least five years. They are both residence of the camp which consists of 24 families who are mostly Orthodox Christians. Ghada and Maha are both Latin Catholics and so they adopt their lessons to the Orthodox majority among the children. Ghada has studied Theology at Bethlehem University which is run by the Christian Brothers. Therese is an elementary teacher at the parish school and a mother of five children.
Intergrading into the lessons from scripture the two teachers use art work, baking for the preparation for feasts and outings. The parents are asked to participate at the big feasts to involve all the residence of the camp. The Little Sisters of Charles De Foucauld offer their large room for the occasions of the major feasts when the family joins in the fun. The Sisters continue to be very supportive of the activities offered by the two teachers. Fr. Manuel also appreciates the untiring energy given to the children by Ghada and Maha.
Many of the children cannot afford to go to the parish school and therefore go to public school which gives Islamic training and values. It is therefore very important that these 30 or 40 children receive a Catholic/Orthodox education and Christian values to be able to live as a minority people among a large and often aggressive Muslim majority.
We are proud of these two women who work against the odds to keep Christianity alive in the Christian section of Beach Camp, one of the largest refugee camps in Gaza. Monthly we finance their activities and give a small salary to each teacher.(pictures of activities of february 2008)
Monday, February 25, 2008
Mission Report GAZA, December 14-16, 2007
December 14, 2007
After a one and a half hour trip by bus from Jerusalem to Ashqelon and a taxi ride to Eretz crossing, we entered Gaza at around 11 am. Our friend taxi driver, Ahmad, was waiting for us inside. He drove us to Sabah’s home, a nice apartment at the 7th floor of a new building in the area of the football field. Both Sabah and her husband are currently employed: she is involved in several projects like ours, while her husband works in trade and distribution of medicines. They have two sons and two daughters, 10-16. At lunch we discussed thoroughly of the situation in Gaza: essential services like hospitals, power, water and fuel are extremely precarious, if not totally absent. High unemployment and tight restrictions on movement make life very harsh at psychological level. The majority of people are indigent. Sabah’s husband says: “We have no idea how all these families may survive without means of support.”
At around 15:30 we reached the school of the Latin Patriarchate. Father Manuel welcomed us in his studio and described to us his initiatives to teach and promote God’s word in his community: catechism, games, domino, readings… very interesting. And he’s really an expert with computers. Then, we joined some 50 people for mass. Father Manuel’s health is not sound, but when he started preaching he was like enlightened. After mass we moved by van to the church in the old city, where we found two bedrooms set. Then, after celebrating the evening prayers, we had dinner at light candle since there was no electric power.
December 15, 2007
We spent the whole morning at our schools, engaged in distributing food on behalf of our organization. The new school is called Shaaf, and it is located in the quarter of Sujaya. Since December 2007 it has officially become one of the three kindergartens which we support by providing breakfast to the children. That was the first place we visited. The teachers had bought the necessary equipment for making breakfast using a 500 NIS donation by an old lady from Mantova, Italy. We also tasted spaghetti with sugar and honey! But this school appears very bleak in all its aspects, including classrooms, furniture and materials. The next step of our support will be addressed towards the teachers themselves: together with Sabah, they will go to visit other schools so as to learn how to improve their activities, choose didactic materials and arrange the classrooms… In other words, they will get ideas on how developing some necessary updates!
Afterwards we witnessed some phases in the activity of food distribution, where we channel some 4500 Euro every month. There is a supermarket which prepares large bags with food items chosen by Sabah’s organization, depending on prices and stocks. This month they have prepared 100 bags worth 100 NIS, and 100 bags worth 200 NIS for large families. All in all, this activity supports 200 families. Once filled, the black bags are carried to a warehouse which we visited personally. There, we also inspected some bags which included rice, tea, sugar, sauces, tuna, cheese, soap, oil, cakes… The owner of the supermarket is also responsible for the delivery of bags: 100 go to Beit Hanoun, one of the poorest areas in the north of the Strip, and get distributed in a school which we used to support in the past. An extraordinary lady works there: Tawzia. Another 50 bags are delivered by the Women’s Association to poor families in Gaza City, who collect them directly at the warehouse, but we did not check on that. The remaining 50 bags are distributed by a very nice man, Mohammed, who is the director of the society for rural development al-Musadder, in the center of the Strip. His attitude is extremely warm and welcoming.
So, we had the opportunity to get a good idea of the whole food distribution. Still, there are some aspects we should further clarify, like the food distribution in the warehouse, the choice of the supplier, the shopping list, the role of the Women’s association. 200 bags seems to be many, but they are just a drop in the ocean. The people there - the women of Gaza city, Tawzia and Mohammed, whom Sr. Susan is very familiar with - directly know the families in need and carry out an excellent job. Indeed, being there for an extended time allowed us to live a great experience and to gain knowledge on the whole process.
After many meetings - and teas, and coffees, and light meals… - Sabah took us to meet a Christian lady, Ghada, who offered us another lunch! Ghada and another lady receive from us some 100 Euro per month in order to carry out after school activities at the place of the Sisters of Charles de Foucault. Activities, materials and light breakfasts are all managed with these 100 Euro. Sr. Susan knew very well these ladies, and she totally trusted them. They will soon send us a more detailed report on their activities. Together with them, at around 4 pm we returned to Fr. Manuel’s school, and afterwards back to our rooms, this time with the power on! The city is dangerous. They told us it is safer not to hang around in the evening, and not to accept car rides from anyone… The highest caution is necessary.
by Br. Andres Bergamini, translated by Andrea Merli
After a one and a half hour trip by bus from Jerusalem to Ashqelon and a taxi ride to Eretz crossing, we entered Gaza at around 11 am. Our friend taxi driver, Ahmad, was waiting for us inside. He drove us to Sabah’s home, a nice apartment at the 7th floor of a new building in the area of the football field. Both Sabah and her husband are currently employed: she is involved in several projects like ours, while her husband works in trade and distribution of medicines. They have two sons and two daughters, 10-16. At lunch we discussed thoroughly of the situation in Gaza: essential services like hospitals, power, water and fuel are extremely precarious, if not totally absent. High unemployment and tight restrictions on movement make life very harsh at psychological level. The majority of people are indigent. Sabah’s husband says: “We have no idea how all these families may survive without means of support.”
At around 15:30 we reached the school of the Latin Patriarchate. Father Manuel welcomed us in his studio and described to us his initiatives to teach and promote God’s word in his community: catechism, games, domino, readings… very interesting. And he’s really an expert with computers. Then, we joined some 50 people for mass. Father Manuel’s health is not sound, but when he started preaching he was like enlightened. After mass we moved by van to the church in the old city, where we found two bedrooms set. Then, after celebrating the evening prayers, we had dinner at light candle since there was no electric power.
December 15, 2007
We spent the whole morning at our schools, engaged in distributing food on behalf of our organization. The new school is called Shaaf, and it is located in the quarter of Sujaya. Since December 2007 it has officially become one of the three kindergartens which we support by providing breakfast to the children. That was the first place we visited. The teachers had bought the necessary equipment for making breakfast using a 500 NIS donation by an old lady from Mantova, Italy. We also tasted spaghetti with sugar and honey! But this school appears very bleak in all its aspects, including classrooms, furniture and materials. The next step of our support will be addressed towards the teachers themselves: together with Sabah, they will go to visit other schools so as to learn how to improve their activities, choose didactic materials and arrange the classrooms… In other words, they will get ideas on how developing some necessary updates!
Afterwards we witnessed some phases in the activity of food distribution, where we channel some 4500 Euro every month. There is a supermarket which prepares large bags with food items chosen by Sabah’s organization, depending on prices and stocks. This month they have prepared 100 bags worth 100 NIS, and 100 bags worth 200 NIS for large families. All in all, this activity supports 200 families. Once filled, the black bags are carried to a warehouse which we visited personally. There, we also inspected some bags which included rice, tea, sugar, sauces, tuna, cheese, soap, oil, cakes… The owner of the supermarket is also responsible for the delivery of bags: 100 go to Beit Hanoun, one of the poorest areas in the north of the Strip, and get distributed in a school which we used to support in the past. An extraordinary lady works there: Tawzia. Another 50 bags are delivered by the Women’s Association to poor families in Gaza City, who collect them directly at the warehouse, but we did not check on that. The remaining 50 bags are distributed by a very nice man, Mohammed, who is the director of the society for rural development al-Musadder, in the center of the Strip. His attitude is extremely warm and welcoming.
So, we had the opportunity to get a good idea of the whole food distribution. Still, there are some aspects we should further clarify, like the food distribution in the warehouse, the choice of the supplier, the shopping list, the role of the Women’s association. 200 bags seems to be many, but they are just a drop in the ocean. The people there - the women of Gaza city, Tawzia and Mohammed, whom Sr. Susan is very familiar with - directly know the families in need and carry out an excellent job. Indeed, being there for an extended time allowed us to live a great experience and to gain knowledge on the whole process.
After many meetings - and teas, and coffees, and light meals… - Sabah took us to meet a Christian lady, Ghada, who offered us another lunch! Ghada and another lady receive from us some 100 Euro per month in order to carry out after school activities at the place of the Sisters of Charles de Foucault. Activities, materials and light breakfasts are all managed with these 100 Euro. Sr. Susan knew very well these ladies, and she totally trusted them. They will soon send us a more detailed report on their activities. Together with them, at around 4 pm we returned to Fr. Manuel’s school, and afterwards back to our rooms, this time with the power on! The city is dangerous. They told us it is safer not to hang around in the evening, and not to accept car rides from anyone… The highest caution is necessary.
by Br. Andres Bergamini, translated by Andrea Merli
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