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
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