Christmas 2013

Dear friends,

As this Holy Season approaches when Jesus came among us may you find it a time to Reflect and Rejoice in the wonders of this powerful event!

Hard realities to witness first hand - November 26, 2013

This month we had a great visit to two of our pre-schools and all was well. The end of the day we visited two very impoverished families. This is what I want to share with you.

October, a visit of two days, touched by the realities found there

Roberto and Sabah visited three schools and two homes of the sick. The schools found the children hard at their studies. When visiting the sick one lady, a widow, especially touched them as she has no family and is ill with no resources. We will be helping her with much needed medications. Her pictures will be added here.

Visit in Gaza september 20, 2013

We put online photos of our visit in September 2013.

Summer 2013

We went to Gaza for several days in June and several days in July. In August we went down just for a day. Many of our team was away for part of the summer yet our three projects continued. Sabah had hoped to travel, yet with the unstable political situation it was impossible. June and August were spent in visiting homes where we were able to replace faulty corrugated tin roofs.

Visit in Gaza april 10th, 2013

April 10th found Lorenzo and I back in Gaza. Visits to two nursery schools were very encouraging. The children were getting a hot meal. In one school they had rice and meat and in another school they had rice and beans. The children know most of their numbers and their letters. This is where they should be in their preparation for the end of the school year for the five year olds to go on next fall to first grade. In the El Amal school we found that they have one class of Day Care for little ones from six months old to a year and a half. This room needs beds for the 6 children and stimulating toys. These we will try to provide for them in the coming months. This room will be open all summer to serve working mothers.

Visit in Gaza, March 20th, 2013

Lorenzo and I took a new route down which we can use when other roads are blocked. Obama was visiting and some main highways were closed on March 20th.

Visit in Gaza feb 25-26, 2013

Three of us went down for two days: Roberto, Joe and I had great weather to visit the Gaza strip. Sabah met us as usual on the Gaza side. We had some books to give to the school near the border so we went there first. Fawyseh was there to meet us. Two classes of the children were out playing and two classes were inside studying. They were happy to see the new books. The teacher decided to read one right away to them.

Visit in Gaza feb 12, 2013 - video and photos

Andres was off from his studies and free so he came as our “camera man” and we were delighted to have him. We had a lovely day. We started with going to the Middle Camps area where two of our schools are located. Each School was having a free day with a party. It was great being with the children again and seeing them in action. One school was celebrating the birthdays for all the children who had birthdays that month. Both schools had had renovations during the summer and it was the first time for me to see the great changes. Roberto and others had seen them before. Musadder School now has five classrooms and the ability of taking many more students.

January 17, 2013 - three poor families

Roberto went down by himself and had a great day. He and Sabah visited three very poor families. These families have a child in one of the pre-schools which we help or are a family who has had a lot of sickness whom we have assisted. Home visits by our social worker and Sabah have brought to our attention how difficult it is for a family when their home is not protected from the cold and especially the rain.