May visit to Gaza
Sr. Frantiska and I hadn’t gone down for some time as we didn’t have our permit renewed to enter. Br. Lorenzo had gone down by himself and chose the next home that we would renew.
Over a week ago we tried going to Gaza and were halfway there when Sabah called us telling us that the border was closed due to the shelling. We tried again on the 16th. and 17th. to go down as we were assured that the war was over and the border was open and all went well.
Sabah and the driver Sami were there to meet us as usual. We went to Fawyseh’s School first which is near to the entrance. All were well there and a nice meal of meat, vegetables, and rice was being served. The teachers told us of the children who were still traumatized by the heavy shelling. We visited the Sumi School which was not far from the border also and they too were serving the same meal. It was interesting as the children most often ate the meat first. Probably they never had it at home. The Japanese NGO will renovate the interior of the school during the summer months.
Following this we went to see the family who will be having renovations done in June. They are a family of ten children. The parents are first cousins and the mother has no sight in one eye; an 8-year-old daughter is disabled and very active. Their home needs: a new roof, water was coming from the roof when we were there. They also need a renovated kitchen and bathroom.
That afternoon we were invited to lunch with all the directresses of the four schools and Mohamad as Sabah supervises his school for their benefactor. All of them seemed to need to share the events of the war; it had been very stressful for them too.
On the second day, we visited first the two schools in the middle area. Both were again serving nice meals for the children. All five schools will be having their end-of-the-year party for the children on the 28th. or 29th. of May. This will be the last day of school for them all. We can’t afford to help them have summer camps these last few years as they are expensive.
One home we had completed in this area in April we went to visit. We were so happy to see the results of the renovations. The mother a widow was so happy with everything. A bit of money was left over and with it, she was able to buy a plastic rug and a carpet for the living room. They needed a washing machine so she was able to purchase one which she showed us with a big smile.
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