Gaza visit of November 10th - report

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Fr. Thomas and Fr. Jean went down for the day. Entering went well they found that the passage on the Gaza side was finished and made passing suit cases much easier; they had carried four suit cases of used cloths for the poor. Sabah spent the day with them. They started with a visit to Fawyseh school in the north. The school is poor but clean. While they were there Save the Children brought them educational toys. Fawyseh and Nahla shared the problems that they were encountering, mainly that of limited space. They viewed the sun shade which needs to be enlarged. They still await their refrigerator. Courses for the parents are offered in the afternoon.
Following they visited the Musaddar school in the middle camps area. Najaw replaces Mohamed who was at a meeting; she updated the priests on events there. They are in need of several items: rugs for the classes, white boards, and clean water. For the long term, they need two added classes as their classes have too many children. Programs continue for the adults in the afternoon which are animal husbandry and micro finance. These classes go on with the help of other NGOs.
After, they returned to Gaza city where they visited the Zahar School. Ferial the directress welcomed them. This school was not as clean and well as the previous schools and this was discussed. They have been renting it only since the war and it needs repairs. They are also in line for a refrigerator, which Sabah will organize with them. Three schools have been promised them; a better price should be had buying three at one time.
They had no time to visit the parish due to having to be at the boarder at 2:30.