tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88539248067861041922024-03-17T10:33:24.753+02:00Daughters of Charity - GazaTrying to help the poorest of the poor in Gaza.Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-64118731178150977272024-03-16T13:08:00.007+02:002024-03-17T10:32:53.590+02:00New informations<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSVsGLuwIhbvoS4GcPh8uL0q5Wcj_hc83JRPcbrAjwL8b-NySjFIvZ9unh1EppGJeNKNELzvOtUg2D1fw8aIST8-yRP3Ml3YhqIMhbzk6rH0DKoTnLiLY1COVRY_BfpwjgShXnxHaM28jwf7-I71rAm-RyYbtyFyOcmc08fMtLm5-MRdGpnufemqmEw1M/s5152/8554FA16-4B88-42C7-A2A9-A1A7FBA3C043.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSVsGLuwIhbvoS4GcPh8uL0q5Wcj_hc83JRPcbrAjwL8b-NySjFIvZ9unh1EppGJeNKNELzvOtUg2D1fw8aIST8-yRP3Ml3YhqIMhbzk6rH0DKoTnLiLY1COVRY_BfpwjgShXnxHaM28jwf7-I71rAm-RyYbtyFyOcmc08fMtLm5-MRdGpnufemqmEw1M/w400-h300/8554FA16-4B88-42C7-A2A9-A1A7FBA3C043.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">March 15, 2024</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;">We promised to keep you informed on what we’d be doing now since the war has not allowed us to continue our projects in the South. Our little team met last week to discern what the Lord wants of us. No one can get in, only a few large Church relief organizations who have local staff there can get the much-needed water and food in to keep people alive. We concluded that we cannot help them ourselves now, so we must join with other relief organizations who can do so. These are the steps I took before our meeting:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;">Recovered our money from the bank in G. City and put it in a new account<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;">in Jerusalem in the same bank. This took several trips to Jerusalem to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;">Fr. George has the second signature on this “Daughters of Charity” account.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face=""Tahoma",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;">Visited other agencies that are getting water and food to the people. <s>Since the</s><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;">The attack on the Orthodox Church, which left 17 people dead, has caused world attention to this Orthodox parish and our Catholic parish. Between the two, they are harboring 400 to 600 Muslim and Christians whom they are trying to feed. They are completely cut off from the South where the food is being trucked in. Other homeless people, who never left the North for the South with the majority of the people, also are served in the two parishes.<span> </span>Fr. Gabriel, the parish priest, was outside the Strip when the war began. He now works full time at the Patriarchate trying to get relief to the people in these parishes. These days he is trying to get fuel and flour in. Two or three days a week they serve a hot meal to these refugees. Sisters from the three communities there help while also caring for the thirty handicapped children with the Missionaries of Charity, with whom we stayed when we were there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;">What appears now is that this war will continue for months ahead. No one will be allowed to enter the South until the war is finished. We have no idea if there will be a government there that will issue permits to enter. Our days of going down and having our programs seem to be over. Sabah, who has been running our programs for 18 years, has gotten out with her husband to go to Egypt. I’ve had no direct news of Wasel our Social Worker.<span> </span>Many of our friends are refugees in the south.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;">If you are interested in still funding us, know that your funding now goes toward the salaries of our two staff and donations go to four other people who have been working with us for about 20 years. They all live in the south of the Strip. This money is keeping them and their large families alive. Your donations will go monthly to the Latin Patriarchate which cares for 200 to 400 people in the Catholic parish and in the Orthodox parish where they have been refugees for months. They provide meals and water to these families. The cost of a meal varies as the food that is available and its price changes. One priest and several sisters care for this large number of people. Many have died due to injuries and lack of medicine and medical care.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;"><span> </span>Every two months we will meet and discern with the Lord what direction to proceed. We will still be helping Christians and Muslims by saving their lives, which is important to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;">Every month you can follow events with us on our website. It is <span style="color: #2e74b5;">www.daughtersofcharity-gaza-blogspot.com.</span>Things are constantly changing. We are committed to continuing to help the people, especially in this critical time by providing the basics of water and food. If the war stops, then people may need other essential items. In our 27 years of existence, we’ve helped after four wars, yet none as destructive as this one.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;">Know that you are in our prayers as you decide whether or not to continue to assist us. In any event, we understand your decision.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;">The pictures are sent to me by our past driver who is an outstanding husband and father. He is now volunteering to help the children of the refugee camps by organizing different activities for them. He and his family are refugees suffering from hunger and the same diseases as the population in the south.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Blessings,</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sr. Frantiska DC,</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fr. George SJ,</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sr. Juliana Notre Dame of Sion, and</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.120001px;"><span>Sr. Susan </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">DC</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720315499723">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-38346239059321291622023-10-31T20:51:00.001+02:002023-10-31T20:51:14.222+02:00Post War update<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64N0XhRY9iVrAwYkoN3cMxRQGpi3SxEalNnc3L8mzKQwnQiZYKjrDnDhnAzvMl4JcFFZPIG-VVQ6R2vlLsA4qrUu4UM9BgqqsskMKeUvvO7vGGmKU9dvLClGNGUjaGW3PzaTMConEAT0dBSEnj99tExR1q7-TQsx87vJrTeV12F4t1H7bbNghPTBjPODw/s5152/669B5953-E8A8-4372-9705-11D5FFC2F2D2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64N0XhRY9iVrAwYkoN3cMxRQGpi3SxEalNnc3L8mzKQwnQiZYKjrDnDhnAzvMl4JcFFZPIG-VVQ6R2vlLsA4qrUu4UM9BgqqsskMKeUvvO7vGGmKU9dvLClGNGUjaGW3PzaTMConEAT0dBSEnj99tExR1q7-TQsx87vJrTeV12F4t1H7bbNghPTBjPODw/s320/669B5953-E8A8-4372-9705-11D5FFC2F2D2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">Post War update</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">As not to leave many of our friends and benefactors in the dark about the situation in the South I am sharing what I know having to be very prudent this will have to be short this time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The war began on October 7<sup>th</sup>. and Sabah’s six-story home was demolished about two or three days after. She has gotten short messages out to me which say they are still okay, her and her husband. They have little water and food. Wasel our social worker was okay the first few days after the war and after we’ve had no news of her. Our two ladies have been running our programs for years and now all has come to a halt. We are not sure if the building where we rented an office is still standing. Our bank is in the same region and we don’t know if it is still standing and functioning. These three buildings were all in the Remal area of the city which was one of the first areas to be leveled. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">We are totally in the dark as to how we can help the population at this point. None of the borders are open and all five of us do not have our permits to enter as they have expired and we’ve been waiting to have them renewed. No one can help us get them renewed until after the war.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">You see I have very little information to share with you. Still, we thank many of you who have written me telling me <i>of your concern and many prayers for the situation</i>. As soon as I know anything of importance I will add it to this website. <i>Please keep up the prayers!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Abundant blessings on all of you,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Sr. Susan and Team<o:p></o:p></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-17022258263790820852023-09-23T10:57:00.003+03:002023-09-23T10:57:16.938+03:00Visit September 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5oBMd8OpNJ3RB8HMtPJ98qFFmN_aU-X9iE8eEaL6OGWaZKBmdzy324B5_vOMrWAp2Rkb2raK1wN9O_4nHXWIBMmE6oxY0vRMycsESvrgV6dMlaqSgXyTfeG8TwyDu-eOBfqoQrekMMXijp7g5XFy8QBGzH2YWWZOM5H3z-bfbH8WJtyMB9lr23DRN-iY/s5152/038E4EA3-A370-4EC8-A00A-D66CD6DF48AC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5oBMd8OpNJ3RB8HMtPJ98qFFmN_aU-X9iE8eEaL6OGWaZKBmdzy324B5_vOMrWAp2Rkb2raK1wN9O_4nHXWIBMmE6oxY0vRMycsESvrgV6dMlaqSgXyTfeG8TwyDu-eOBfqoQrekMMXijp7g5XFy8QBGzH2YWWZOM5H3z-bfbH8WJtyMB9lr23DRN-iY/w400-h300/038E4EA3-A370-4EC8-A00A-D66CD6DF48AC.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">September Visit on the 5th. and the 6th..</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Yearly in September, we go down to visit the schools of Gaza to see how many children are registered and to know their needs for this coming year. It appears now that we have 350 little ones ages 3 to 5 years old. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">We saw many red eyes and tears in the classroom of the 3-year-olds who were going to school for the first time. They were having registration and two of the schools had already two classes of children in action. The teachers play a lot of games at the start to get them used to school. We hope to get them school materials: crayons, colored pencils, paint, etc for the children and the teachers. We visited three schools and Sabah had gathered the information when she visited two schools as we were late at arriving the first day. The parents purchase a workbook for their child, often paying for them after payday at the end of the month if one has a job.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">It was extremely hot in the 30ies those two days and the electricity is on only 2 to 4 hours a day now. We try to be sure that each class has enough windows so the children can see as they work.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Each school has a different list of needs for their school. We hope that we have the funding to cover these items such as tables, chairs, whiteboards, bottled gas for the kitchen, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">A few more people are allowed to leave Gaza now to work or to visit relatives abroad. They can go to Jordan now and from there go abroad.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">We hope that this next academic year will bring peace as war increases the poverty of many.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> September 8, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720311396181">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-88500317127026466222023-09-23T10:43:00.002+03:002023-09-23T11:02:40.926+03:00Visit June 2023<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">Visit June 20</span><sup style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;">. 2023</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Sr. Fantiska and I went down for the day only. Renovations had been done for a family and the school of Fawyseh also had her bathrooms renovated. We started our visit seeing Fawyseh’s School and were very pleased to see the walls of the bathroom stalls were up and the sink for the children and water taps were installed. About half the work is still to be done.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">After we went to see the family whose home had been completed. They needed many rooms to be renovated. We saw these areas completed: roof, flooring tiles in some rooms, and tile on the walls in the bathroom and kitchen. A bathroom, and a kitchen needed new fixtures. Best of all was seeing how happy all the family was. Again the rooms were very clean and organized. The handicapped girl of about 9 years old was clean and well cared for by her older sisters. The mother has poor vision or no vision in one eye. She does all the washing by hand for the large family; she asked if we could help her buy a washing machine for 400 shekels. We agreed that they need it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">After we spent our time with Sabah discussing the summer needs. She will be away all of July and much of August so we needed to know how our programs will continue during those months. Wasel will still work during those months so things have been prepared for July and much of August. She will be helped by Sami our driver and by Summer; both have experience with our three programs which run in the summer months.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-29252803810095644992023-05-30T11:29:00.006+03:002023-05-31T11:39:39.445+03:00Visit May 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsKB3004qL1MhffkjIqr5L8_qxgK4A6Oyj6RMEhiOiQyoiux-fV25ED9Bf9FXEzXQfCNoeb2ttz0e7hxDHLCDG2j8EGj5ffiKb0ddtCXd4qu4nNq1GqOM_KgZhf8CAEJdRmHzxq7ubtTKeT8LjLhoUHiPZ0s29gGbHGTONH1hlyWn85CkV5SST458kw/s200/y4mjc9Dz_pTvTCXMdUn4RiNfucZQkz8o9ELAV_LeISAVwuIEwhBArxDAifEJvtNfYznZ2ed28u7pOEAB2Uc4O9Mq1ICwcxbEJpRRJHIOuWX0-XQrU8ZTiB5xkHn2g2TNnZpRv-lRk3cWT_0yTWPhI4nZSGrzgONu01W1w68xfrxmzPLoLUIby-1BkO1ELbO88s2XicOCPFpNBgzS8353hjpgw.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsKB3004qL1MhffkjIqr5L8_qxgK4A6Oyj6RMEhiOiQyoiux-fV25ED9Bf9FXEzXQfCNoeb2ttz0e7hxDHLCDG2j8EGj5ffiKb0ddtCXd4qu4nNq1GqOM_KgZhf8CAEJdRmHzxq7ubtTKeT8LjLhoUHiPZ0s29gGbHGTONH1hlyWn85CkV5SST458kw/w200-h150/y4mjc9Dz_pTvTCXMdUn4RiNfucZQkz8o9ELAV_LeISAVwuIEwhBArxDAifEJvtNfYznZ2ed28u7pOEAB2Uc4O9Mq1ICwcxbEJpRRJHIOuWX0-XQrU8ZTiB5xkHn2g2TNnZpRv-lRk3cWT_0yTWPhI4nZSGrzgONu01W1w68xfrxmzPLoLUIby-1BkO1ELbO88s2XicOCPFpNBgzS8353hjpgw.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US">May visit to Gaza<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">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 16<sup>th</sup>. and 17<sup>th</sup>. to go down as we were assured that the war was over and the border was open and all went well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">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 28<sup>th</sup>. or 29<sup>th</sup>. 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; text-align: start;">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.</span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720308673085">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-19295751215351521942023-02-11T15:27:00.006+02:002023-02-11T15:29:29.703+02:00Our new brochure<p> Our new brochure</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfsZdQc-uuM9tb5C7u-A7c2lUP6PXoXD8XrZSx1Aa0wgSB8yP8IOqunUdIo-bMup5rj2lY8o13nyAiCD4Ft92-VgSqvQZxxUetYicnBuKneG-Nm6O34uEOk04GzI7KmXnrq7Km-wDdKWkrS3hRIYCH9ewNPztsFSElXCgA6X9LlvXtwYsQvc-KK7S0g/s2048/F545F6C0-85E2-4AAC-BA35-1CF9F7166994.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="2048" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfsZdQc-uuM9tb5C7u-A7c2lUP6PXoXD8XrZSx1Aa0wgSB8yP8IOqunUdIo-bMup5rj2lY8o13nyAiCD4Ft92-VgSqvQZxxUetYicnBuKneG-Nm6O34uEOk04GzI7KmXnrq7Km-wDdKWkrS3hRIYCH9ewNPztsFSElXCgA6X9LlvXtwYsQvc-KK7S0g/w640-h453/F545F6C0-85E2-4AAC-BA35-1CF9F7166994.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpabXLFUXsKAp_LxtTQnVkGxSx8AvhP-W4_WF2Tyj3MVbgbU6McMOADEnWC1IMAflsAmo5ZyDWEhuAYErzmOKQyExq5X9F2jaiEMGAcUBOrj1EZZFv5Cp2mPXdLnqOkWU0ZO06sZT0GjNMn1ke4GG-K4kDAK8alKKCJQmrS73DWEKxYoIYc7XEDQTeA/s2048/E25D1CC0-FDFC-49C3-B689-DBD6C73DEAF1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpabXLFUXsKAp_LxtTQnVkGxSx8AvhP-W4_WF2Tyj3MVbgbU6McMOADEnWC1IMAflsAmo5ZyDWEhuAYErzmOKQyExq5X9F2jaiEMGAcUBOrj1EZZFv5Cp2mPXdLnqOkWU0ZO06sZT0GjNMn1ke4GG-K4kDAK8alKKCJQmrS73DWEKxYoIYc7XEDQTeA/w640-h452/E25D1CC0-FDFC-49C3-B689-DBD6C73DEAF1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-37201937460229320112023-02-11T10:45:00.001+02:002023-02-11T15:53:01.764+02:00Visit February 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpJZzotT-ZyaGYOZGz-_p3fop2nCWj9kq3HhG_3sWLEv8b3e4O0uITgCaEGg8yNuD4q30BWyTGvVPsooYTXt1HkAEdVCHK2uWKC_lj88HJ2GIfCmxFK1sdjCZPTvGl-ra0r5A2I1SEROl_xcdsxdJOlBy8kF_GvUKsdvaExMc4aYeN2KKwvyjlKPa3A/s4608/diapers%20given%20&%20signed%20for.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpJZzotT-ZyaGYOZGz-_p3fop2nCWj9kq3HhG_3sWLEv8b3e4O0uITgCaEGg8yNuD4q30BWyTGvVPsooYTXt1HkAEdVCHK2uWKC_lj88HJ2GIfCmxFK1sdjCZPTvGl-ra0r5A2I1SEROl_xcdsxdJOlBy8kF_GvUKsdvaExMc4aYeN2KKwvyjlKPa3A/s320/diapers%20given%20&%20signed%20for.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">February 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">We had a meeting to discuss several new events on Monday the 6<sup>th</sup>. and on Tuesday three of us went down to Gaza. Despite rain wind and cold, we were able to do a lot with Sabah and Wasel. The first day we started out by visiting the new school where we had just had an old bathroom taken down and a new one built. The children were not there due to the weather as the two days the schools were all closed. Secondly, we visited a family in the middle camps area whose home we had begun to renovate. Most of the family was present. Three of the youngest children had bear feet. We couldn’t resist giving money to Sabah to see that these three got new shoes. All the children were handicapped mentally.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">After we went to our office to discuss the issues covered at our meeting. Our social worker’s kitchen roof fell in so she asked for her indemnities early and we saw that she received them. She has two daughters at University and she lost her husband two months ago. Our ladies who work for us encouraged us to start a program for the elderly as there is a great need for many of them to receive shampoo, hygiene materials, and diapers. For now, we haven’t the funding to do it. Perhaps in the future, we can. We decided that we can give a bag of food to 200 families for Ramadan in March.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px;">On the second day, we started out by going to the bank to get some information. After we visited the distribution of the medicines that we give out monthly. We saw about five of the 45 who received their medications at a pharmacy that day. Following we went to the middle camps area of the Musaddar School as there were 100 families receiving their 14 items of food and two soaps that month. Each month we serve another area and other families. Winter shows so vividly the poverty of the families who came for their food. Many looked very hungry and thin. Some came with donkeys and carts and collected food for their neighbors also. That was our experiences this last trip down.</span><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720305921590">Photogallery</a><br /></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-54343628636844190442023-01-21T12:11:00.000+02:002023-01-21T12:11:05.951+02:00Visit January 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9101a-NZ6i9HtXo728HAxJqVdURotGvKdqrldlSU5sbStKRsk_pZx98UpwQ9UWPSzHxwPVH-q1KlEGJDqgBB5LcEeKxbh-bYMeNPpG8-Iq7dAEC6OK9rGUI5pfa8qHG7pZx_6o8I-dGINVTuJfFin8BwuO_QWN-kuHuwc-DMeI3b3qzTYyMY-fcG2HA/s200/y4mjCdig4FQrdQoPWPuZPxxT7DD1hXGYH6sIaVM0v0pLacqCEgeMy5XC6pNucNdH-HmabJgv70MhmAPFbx30a3KmYuyBMLQ6QHsBfzsdRL_WIRFmwbzPa5-C6txky0PG_yGFaMgiCgwGHAi2MKrTczSM0m33bTXehBPQ-VsuXDm5UHG7TpF-wiZZAE88uyyuK9nfij3xGXbx9J2G8cVVwNPKw.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9101a-NZ6i9HtXo728HAxJqVdURotGvKdqrldlSU5sbStKRsk_pZx98UpwQ9UWPSzHxwPVH-q1KlEGJDqgBB5LcEeKxbh-bYMeNPpG8-Iq7dAEC6OK9rGUI5pfa8qHG7pZx_6o8I-dGINVTuJfFin8BwuO_QWN-kuHuwc-DMeI3b3qzTYyMY-fcG2HA/w320-h240/y4mjCdig4FQrdQoPWPuZPxxT7DD1hXGYH6sIaVM0v0pLacqCEgeMy5XC6pNucNdH-HmabJgv70MhmAPFbx30a3KmYuyBMLQ6QHsBfzsdRL_WIRFmwbzPa5-C6txky0PG_yGFaMgiCgwGHAi2MKrTczSM0m33bTXehBPQ-VsuXDm5UHG7TpF-wiZZAE88uyyuK9nfij3xGXbx9J2G8cVVwNPKw.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">January visit the 10<sup>th</sup>. and the 11<sup>th</sup>. 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Sr. Frantiska and Sr. Susan went down as Fr. George couldn’t join us this time due to other commitments. Sabah met us at the border and we started our day with a visit to Fawyseh’s school in the north. The children were busy either eating in turns outside as it was warm out. Others were learning their letters or numbers inside and one class was doing exercises to music. We found everything clean and orderly and serving a nice meal of macaroni and meat.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Following we visited three very poor homes in the same area. I had just rained and there was wet sand everywhere even inside as the floors were of sand in several homes. Two home were tents. The government will not allow them to build a concrete block house as the property belongs to the government. We help these families by seeing that they get a bag of food from time to time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">After we went to a place near the beach where the heads of the school met for a meeting and they provided us all with a meal after. Again being it a warm day we could sit outside at simple tables. We went straight to the Missionaries of Charity in the late afternoon. They have a new superior who we know from her being there seven years earlier. We had a warm welcome as usual. We also visited with Fr. Gabriel after Mass.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The following day we needed to go to the bank. After this we went to our office and discussed with our two ladies the current situation. The children will be on semester break now for two weeks. We will replace the bathroom in the new school which is in a bad condition with a new one. The homes in the Musaddar area that we visited last time we will renovate as it is in a terrible condition en general. Ramadan will be coming, so our team will meet in Jerusalem in February to decide how we can give extra food to families. Now we are feeding 100 a month. We left that afternoon being pleased with the two days and being very grateful to our benefactors.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720305391965">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-3528087633460861602022-11-04T11:01:00.002+02:002022-11-04T11:03:59.731+02:00Visit October 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4WP-EI20oEfnVNGWMIqAb_YymHl7SOw-502pIKLT8xYlOKU486iEDRi_nDzsID8qG_zHcBmRaEL6Hvz8wZg2nV_g9COKG2uIGtX2DocKO9qlAI8E8iF6lfCFCFg10vI5yQAbCBkrwgKmzioX2dmO0bD9N1ABh0JNDXGrNXrMDvQPyUjH8uSXWjWULQ/s4608/heart%20and%20cross%20in%20the%20sand.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4WP-EI20oEfnVNGWMIqAb_YymHl7SOw-502pIKLT8xYlOKU486iEDRi_nDzsID8qG_zHcBmRaEL6Hvz8wZg2nV_g9COKG2uIGtX2DocKO9qlAI8E8iF6lfCFCFg10vI5yQAbCBkrwgKmzioX2dmO0bD9N1ABh0JNDXGrNXrMDvQPyUjH8uSXWjWULQ/s320/heart%20and%20cross%20in%20the%20sand.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">October brought the three of us to Gaza again. This time was unique as both of our ladies Sabah and Wasel had daughters who were to deliver babies when we were there. So we made plan in case either one had to be absent. Wasel’s daughter Maha had a little boy the second day the 26<sup>th</sup>. and the mother and child are fine. Sabah’s daughter Ream had her baby the 30<sup>th</sup>. a little girl and again both of them are fine. I talked to both grandmothers after the births and they were so proud and relieved to have the little ones safely among them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The first day we visited four families and had our meeting with Sabah as usual. She shared some good news in that perhaps another 4,000 men may have the possibility to go to work in Israel. If so it will put food on the table for 4,000 families. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">For months we wanted to thank the two communities the parish priest and the Missionaries of Charity where we stay when we are in Gaza by inviting them to a picnic on the beach. Finally it was realized on the afternoon of the 25<sup>th</sup>. and our picnic was delicious due to the good judgment and planning of Sabah and Sami our driver. The weather was delightful.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The second day there we started with visiting some of the families whose homes we had renovated over the last few years. We wanted to see how they are doing. Again we saw four families and decided to stay and to visit with them longer than we usually do. They all received us with joy. Only one mother of the family was not clean and orderly. In one family the father was painting a wall and their situation seemed better. They were definitely proud of their home. In the last family the father had had his leg amputated above the knee and was finding it difficult to have the surgery to get a new artificial leg. He was dealing with depression. Still their home was clean and the rest of the family seemed happy. From time to time these families still receive food or medicine from us when it is needed so we keep in touch with them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720303412502">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-80032751329299282552022-10-05T00:16:00.004+03:002022-10-05T00:21:56.937+03:00Visit September 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJrjz2R8CnM3zy9jphfpuxMWtHkUAXJOLQxmqDlrdpUYe5buiWj_XiDL2drWSS1vbeabUMJugtbMlfF5zADuTSslezJAyclqdzp9qY4xnUDAOXYCWajupIKFU9hlETmm3W2N2stYpJB6bCt72UrF94TexpgTZfAxYWtcxhNqZayCy60bLdt11uneCdw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJrjz2R8CnM3zy9jphfpuxMWtHkUAXJOLQxmqDlrdpUYe5buiWj_XiDL2drWSS1vbeabUMJugtbMlfF5zADuTSslezJAyclqdzp9qY4xnUDAOXYCWajupIKFU9hlETmm3W2N2stYpJB6bCt72UrF94TexpgTZfAxYWtcxhNqZayCy60bLdt11uneCdw/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">On Tuesday and Wednesday, September 13 and 14, Sister Susan, Sister Frantiska, and Fr. George visited four preschools supported by the Gaza Project and a fifth preschool that will now receive renovation and development help. The Gaza Project has helped the El Arabia preschool located in the Beit Hanoun area in the north for many years. Time has taken its toll on the playground roof, a metal one that blocks too much light. The proposal is for a new heavy-duty roof that will allow light to enter without the heat. The Interior classroom walls need sealing and paint, and the bathroom and kitchen roof needs fixing. Children were active and happy, and an artist painting wall murals shared that he had attended the preschool as a child. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The group returned to Zakhar preschool to see the returning students in their renovated school. The school’s improvements were beautiful. We enjoyed watching the 60 children at work in their classes and relishing their new indoor play area with a carpet of artificial grass. The teachers were as happy as the children.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">At Sabah’s office, we discussed the Project’s subsidizing of school fees for those who have little income. We all agreed that a minimal contribution from every family provides a good faith investment in the effort. Our goal is to assure the salaries of the teachers from the fees we help to pay for. We continue to fund the food program that started last week. Sabah showed us a sturdy backpack that was one of 200 purchased for students, an earlier request now fulfilled. She had shopped at numerous stores and found a fantastic price. The team also discussed the renovation of the new school at Beit Hanoun. We also unloaded three tightly packed suitcases of clothes. Sister Frantiska delivers some donated clothes for children and adults of all ages when we come to Gaza.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">On Wednesday, we visited two preschools in the Middle camps. The first two we have been helping for some years that of the Barham Tuyour El Sham and the Mosaddar preschool. At the Barham, we met with the staff and discussed an additional classroom and bathroom on the second floor. The Barham School has two new teachers and Sister Susan encouraged their participation in minicourses for preschool teachers and the director agreed. Mosaddar School is well established, and the team agreed to help its students with school supplies. We had the unique opportunity to visit a Bedouin family that lived close to the school. They were happy to see Sister Susan and the school director. The family had 25 adults and 35 children. They continued to cook over an open fire and eat together in Bedouin fashion. This large family lives in multiple dwellings on a single compound. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The final stop before returning to Jerusalem was at Beit Hanoun. The director reviewed the school’s needs with the team. Sabah will work with MECA to coordinate the renovation of the building including new walls, per the permit requirements, rather than partitions. The immediate need is to add shelves to the kitchen and take down the old bathroom structure and build a new one in a better location. This we will begin doing soon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Additional good news. There are now 15,000 Palestinians from Gaza working in Israel, and the Israeli government foresees increasing that number to 20,000. God bless you all.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720302624430">Photogallery</a><br /></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-35874938330847163322022-09-09T12:11:00.005+03:002022-09-09T12:16:40.994+03:00Visit August 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-uON7VJlYQHmOwQLq0CwmR7JINmbVNTpY6a7y298twQgk3kxZYuY4Kh3HULng36UWK0tFGsFk3q58YJHRHdw9plfSE77T_iK2mmL1MjV9gfBmJUSSk40-OZqIRy9dLaUR4VEYapn4T9lGIX3ObGzuT9B77cd1ViLJBRgjllEau-J6cJSjxBt49ZB8w/s5152/old_home_entrance_.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-uON7VJlYQHmOwQLq0CwmR7JINmbVNTpY6a7y298twQgk3kxZYuY4Kh3HULng36UWK0tFGsFk3q58YJHRHdw9plfSE77T_iK2mmL1MjV9gfBmJUSSk40-OZqIRy9dLaUR4VEYapn4T9lGIX3ObGzuT9B77cd1ViLJBRgjllEau-J6cJSjxBt49ZB8w/w400-h300/old_home_entrance_.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Project’s Website</span></b><span lang="EN-US">:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Sr. Susan, Sr. Frantiska, and Fr. George visited three preschools and two recently renovated homes on August 29 and 30. Sabah, who had recovered from a second, severe bout of COVID, led us on the visits. The first preschool was called Shamsy Ed’da School. It was in a very poor area within the eye-sight of farmland where most of the parents worked. In the past, Sabah had worked with the director, a university-trained preschool administrator. This school also helped Sabah with food distribution and medical aid programs. The school needs new bathrooms, a storage shed, a counter in the kitchen, an artificial lawn (too much sand tracked in), and a canopy for the playground. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The second proposed school had two small classrooms on an upper floor, a challenging staircase, and dilapidated bathrooms. We felt there were too many major needs. The school had 150 preschoolers in the past—too many for the space. We questioned if this school follows the local preschool guidelines.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The two renovated homes with eight and six children had multiple improvements: a new bathroom, kitchen improvements, newly tiled floors, windows, and painted walls. The children were happy. The parents of the family with six children said that their kids no longer spend all their time outside on the street because they have a real home with more space inside to play.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">We cut our visit a little short on Tuesday to allow Sa bah more time to rest. Through Sami, our driver and helper, she had kept abreast of renovations and other work even while ill. We pray for her continued recovery. Wasel our social worker lost her husband two weeks ago so these two women have h</span><span style="text-align: left;">ad a difficult summer.</span></p><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720301975568">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-5303387501105591102022-06-11T11:46:00.000+03:002022-06-11T11:46:01.409+03:00May 2022 visit<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFSej5B-Xqh0o0YTieYMlEkGnUhqYPN0r-14RB0FKJUraj6xKYvcK7Hrp4DHjQTvMKzxyYsxtSqeS8fTU36FWCwpN2GnfCMGMcfke7N8tx9IwKzQEhXW02KTojXpVb4p0hRef6MmRt2okj6qSGeGjDvpB_vJsQYQ7KyM9T4SKP3bJrSH5525rgydFbA/s5152/children%20liking%20their%20meal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFSej5B-Xqh0o0YTieYMlEkGnUhqYPN0r-14RB0FKJUraj6xKYvcK7Hrp4DHjQTvMKzxyYsxtSqeS8fTU36FWCwpN2GnfCMGMcfke7N8tx9IwKzQEhXW02KTojXpVb4p0hRef6MmRt2okj6qSGeGjDvpB_vJsQYQ7KyM9T4SKP3bJrSH5525rgydFbA/w400-h300/children%20liking%20their%20meal.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">MAY 25, 2022 VISIT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Br. Lorenzo, Sr. Frantiska and I went down for the day and we had two goals in mind. Having some money left over from the academic year, we wanted to see about sponsoring summer camps this summer. We also wanted to visit a home that was newly renovated and chose another one to be done in July. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">We started our visit to the two homes. We were very pleased with the home which was renovated. The family members were all smiles. The other home was next door to this home. It was in very bad condition and had only two small rooms for a family of seven. When visiting the home with Sabah, the architect said that renovations were not possible as the building had serious structural problems. It wouldn’t support renovations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Next we went to our office where Sabah had researched well for us the information needed to see if we could have each of our three pre-schools invite 100 elementary-aged children for summer camps for two weeks. This we decided was possible. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">In September we hope to add the forth pre-school which may need renovations to get their permit to be registered as a pre-school. The other three schools also need some materials for their schools such as rugs, painting, and indoor and outdoor toys.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720299702911">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-36679870922109320502022-03-21T21:03:00.002+02:002022-03-21T21:03:17.441+02:00March 2022 visit<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdGgKiICjw3O8fxoWd7kFiZ2167gHn0yx7S-4Pnw5I20_9szHrGzoufQJhRWHiCvHatfjxyPk3AlgS4CXfxNcI_Wdet59-643pUr9mPQ60T8SxHuCa1p2HEaxi2bXueuy95fbun8AbuDaWBatmJMYQVKWJDNQ-2hogQ2ZT1_03mzeJiXnEAD6ngk931Q=s5152" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdGgKiICjw3O8fxoWd7kFiZ2167gHn0yx7S-4Pnw5I20_9szHrGzoufQJhRWHiCvHatfjxyPk3AlgS4CXfxNcI_Wdet59-643pUr9mPQ60T8SxHuCa1p2HEaxi2bXueuy95fbun8AbuDaWBatmJMYQVKWJDNQ-2hogQ2ZT1_03mzeJiXnEAD6ngk931Q=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">March 8 and 9 2022 Trip to Gaza <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">On March 8 and 9, 2022, Sr. Susan, Sr. Frantiska, Fr. George, Sabah, and Sami visited the Zeitun neighborhood of Gaza. They first visited a one-story home approved for renovation last November. The construction crew contracted by Sabah had completed a significant amount of work. The crew rebuilt the kitchen and built an entirely new room in an interior courtyard. All the rooms have new corrugated roofs and are ready for the installation of window frames and glass. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The kitchen was a complete upgrade with plastered walls and tiled floors. The construction crew added three or four decorative tiles on the wall above the location of a new countertop. The family, especially the children, were all smiles. They were witnessing significant material improvements to their home. And the home builders were happy. The construction crew wore yellow neon safety vests with “Daughters of Charity Gaza Association” printed on the back. These men had meaningful work, and they knew two English words, “Thank You.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Zeitun is a poor, densely populated area of the city. The worn-down buildings approach, in some cases, 100 years of use. The Gaza Project assists the Samira Women’s Association with medicine, food, and clothes. The group has a food preparation business and before the pandemic had exported pre-cooked, bagged meals to Morocco and Spain. As a result of the pandemic, the entire community has lost work and income. Many people have not received financial assistance from either Samira or the civil welfare system for over one year. The Association continues to provide the Gaza Project with the names and addresses of the families most in need of help.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The team also visited the Zakhir preschool in Zietun. The school located in a residential building had 70 students in attendance with three small rooms acting as classrooms, an activity area the size of a large living room, and a covered interior patio with some play equipment and artificial grass. The eight teachers and administrators had the children entertain the team, with songs, stationary exercises, and plenty of smiles. The preschool needs significant upgrading: repair or replacement of the courtyard roof, expansion of the bathroom to fulfill the local ordinances, the hanging windows, and faucets for the play area. Sr. Susan and the team saw this preschool as a worthy charitable project.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">During the trip, the team visited four homes for potential renovation. Two homes were beyond the point of renovation. The Gaza Project gave one family funds to pay for travel costs for medical visits. The owner of the second house acknowledged that renovation was not possible with bowed and weakened walls. A third house could possibly have some roofing renovation. This is to be determined by the contractor and Sabah. Finally, the team visited a family in the Beach Refugee Camp. The family had a two-room house with eight children. Placing the water tank on the roof will gain some space. The Project will also provide windows and a door. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Sister Frantiska had the team bring three well-packed suitcases of clothes for distribution. When unpacked, the clothes filled 12 large, plastic container bags. A welcomed wonder!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Time was spent with the Missionaries of Charity and the Institute of the Divine Word priests at Holy Family Parish. The team visited the local museum as an excursion prior to leaving.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720297519646">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-45095684183350565352022-02-15T19:56:00.003+02:002022-02-16T09:51:17.047+02:00February 2022 visit<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6GKq2NHW7l69i7V2Ei52lXkO0L_pm382lCufgpNc975TZiT0vx4f2OA0Ev5rZeknWa7WT3Hz2L63YjHsjcjl27ghzgaMKxa1eMMCBbj5E3eDmFecyWn8znyfMK9KfLaEnsonBnPDG8odSftNTe2PlOU1Bwb4qUNpN3vG5jp6qymAZBYXZD1TYSNz8eg=s891" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="891" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6GKq2NHW7l69i7V2Ei52lXkO0L_pm382lCufgpNc975TZiT0vx4f2OA0Ev5rZeknWa7WT3Hz2L63YjHsjcjl27ghzgaMKxa1eMMCBbj5E3eDmFecyWn8znyfMK9KfLaEnsonBnPDG8odSftNTe2PlOU1Bwb4qUNpN3vG5jp6qymAZBYXZD1TYSNz8eg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">VISIT FEBRUARY 8<sup>th</sup> AND 9<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Sr. Frantiska and I went together this visit. We had no troubles entering or leaving. Sabah had us visit right away a home that we have chosen to renovate. They need extensive renovations: a bathroom outside the home, a second bedroom for the children, a new roof, windows and flooring in places. The second family which we visited had the father in bed as he has suffered 14 years with cancer. They had their bathroom and kitchen put in by another relief organization, but they still need a new roof, flooring and an added bedroom as they all sleep in one room now. They have nine children.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">We met with the directors of the four pre-schools. We reminded them that the teachers should be getting their full salaries of 300 to 400 nis monthly since we are covering the fees for the families who can pay only part of the monthly 20 nis. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">After that, we visited a home that we had just renovated. The family was very happy with the results of their renovations. They are a family of 12 children; the Father and one son are diabetic. We had helped them with medicines and bags of food.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Next we made condolence visits to two families. We went for the evening to the Missionaries of Charity Sisters where we always spend the night. They always are so good to us and they bring up to date on what is happening in the parish.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">The second day we went to the Middle Camps to visit our two schools there. The children were hard at work. In the school sponsored by Marco, the Italian clown, we were able to see the outcome of many great renovations that were made. We tried to visit a third school, but were too late so we visited a Women’s Center. This center supports this pre-school and their kitchen prepares nice meals for the children. On the next visit we hope to visit the school while the children are there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px; text-align: start;">Sabah’s photos help us to share our visit with you.</span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720296705105">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-65158980565984447762022-02-02T10:10:00.000+02:002022-02-02T10:10:06.797+02:00January 2022 visit by Lorenzo<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJXJwFmPnq4gBfISJLwYmPO6oCtqf_gR0_gqO_vSez2Y04UkRqBv8Zmdd5BwrGeeKGl9siPhyAQw9Eu1b8na7MAGR6tPIsMSCn1OfC8VYYHQlBOR-8KAT1i9I59aVJ6oZw5a3hZHQuMd1zNK3mgDXh_dkVseLu85gQZqJUD9ZC1ILrZT8jV5mbJSqr3A=s899" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="899" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJXJwFmPnq4gBfISJLwYmPO6oCtqf_gR0_gqO_vSez2Y04UkRqBv8Zmdd5BwrGeeKGl9siPhyAQw9Eu1b8na7MAGR6tPIsMSCn1OfC8VYYHQlBOR-8KAT1i9I59aVJ6oZw5a3hZHQuMd1zNK3mgDXh_dkVseLu85gQZqJUD9ZC1ILrZT8jV5mbJSqr3A=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">January visit by Lorenzo<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lorenzo went down just for the day. He and Sabah visited three homes. Their visit were to choose the next homes to be renovated. Two of the homes were in a bad condition and one will be renovated soon. Our pictures this month are of a home that was renovated in mid-December. You will see the condition of the home before the renovations and then the condition of the home after the renovations. There is one pictures of Sabah and Lorenzo talking to the family.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720296395081">Photogallery</a><br /></span></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-32354313577707902892022-01-16T13:08:00.002+02:002022-01-16T13:08:27.812+02:00Visit November 2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9226XaNxgH45Of5YSH8lzK7B4GFB2ltrNjDvouYx4X4EAPMcbWXHh4cdjKUK5h2tlyXA4CrF95QOjC89cZhEcmIS4j_YdldIM3rCE--MzGQnrYIPMP083jV2ML36eU_ccZHS38tCLep9VOEvmSy5H2uwoWLuCyI5IwY37NfTq4mX_JXy9OE8aN4N9_g=s899" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="899" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9226XaNxgH45Of5YSH8lzK7B4GFB2ltrNjDvouYx4X4EAPMcbWXHh4cdjKUK5h2tlyXA4CrF95QOjC89cZhEcmIS4j_YdldIM3rCE--MzGQnrYIPMP083jV2ML36eU_ccZHS38tCLep9VOEvmSy5H2uwoWLuCyI5IwY37NfTq4mX_JXy9OE8aN4N9_g=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Our visit Nov. 22 and 23 of November 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Our newest member Fr. George Schultze joined Sr. Frantiska and me for this visit. Although we couldn’t rent a car as we usually do, we found that we could take a taxi from the Damascus Gate to and from Gaza.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">The first day we were just the three of us, and the second day Lorenzo joined us. That first morning was spent visiting families in need of home repairs or homes which we repaired during the Covid. We were pleased with the home renovation outcomes due to Sabah’s close supervision. Our driver is also volunteering his time to help Sabah. Before winter we hope to renovate two more homes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">In the afternoon we met with Sabah. It was Fr. George’s first visit, and we showed him the popular little fishing port. Later Fr. Gabriel welcomed Fr. George to the priest’s residence, and they discussed the situation of the local church. We sisters joined the Missionaries of Charity where we are always welcomed to spend the night. They spent some time with us in the evening.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">The following day, being we were a larger group, one group went to visit the two schools in the Middle Camps, and Lorenzo joined us to clear up some long-standing problems with our bank. We met in the office where again we had lunch, and Sabah again shared news with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Sami the driver took us to the border where we hired a taxi to Jerusalem. Arriving at Damascus Gate, we took public transportation or walked to our various homes.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72177720295989852">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-47063479461915001282021-11-02T12:43:00.004+02:002021-11-02T12:47:17.837+02:00Visit October 2021<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4PClSq4uDs/YYEXIT_Fh1I/AAAAAAAAI1M/pOsTJvuHnVU3DgiUyspdHV6CLPDUWgrIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2543/Mother%2Bwith%2Bdisabled%2Bson%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="1236" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4PClSq4uDs/YYEXIT_Fh1I/AAAAAAAAI1M/pOsTJvuHnVU3DgiUyspdHV6CLPDUWgrIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Mother%2Bwith%2Bdisabled%2Bson%2B2.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">VISIT OCTOBER 24 AND 25 OF 2021<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Sr. Frantiska and I were asked to be in Gaza to see a NGO L’Oeuvre de l’Orient who supports our Medical program in Gaza now for several years. We were asked only a few days before to go so Sabah, Fr. Gabriel, his man in charge of permits worked hard to get us the needed documents. We were to be at the Mass in Gaza that morning. The journalist met us after Mass and asked us to return at 4 pm as he had other people to see. Sabah sent the driver and we went to the office and had schawamers sandwiches and talked about the recent events in Gaza. After we still had time to visit three very poor families. The photos which I took share the realities of their lives. Several had members with special needs. Two have homes which let the rains and cold of the winter months that are approaching penetrate so that everyone and everything is soaked. One home has no water in the bathroom nor in the kitchen and the mother cooks outside over a wood fire. One Father of the family is from Egypt so they can get no assistance from any organization. For each family we help them with food and medications. After we were back at the Missionaries of Charity to see the journalist.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">The following day we met with all the directors of the pre-schools. They main topic off their conversation was that they are grateful to be able to keep their school open as Al Omri provides the fees for the majority of the children who cannot afford to go to the schools.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Another big topic of conversation was hopeful as now 1,000 workers are allowed to get permits to work or trade in Israel. If this number can grow it will have a great impact on the economic crises which now exists in Gaza. Eighty percent of the population now depends on food packages from many different sources. Please pray with us that many more men will be able to work in Israel. Entering and leaving we saw hundreds of men going in or leaving at the border. It was truly great to see.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Sr. Susan</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72157720096503738">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-59085822140569994612021-08-02T20:47:00.006+03:002021-08-03T07:26:08.208+03:00Visit July 2021<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qcJ2exTR7k/YQgvqZ0F8hI/AAAAAAAAIz8/tw4LN5SIn-EKkYeZHcLzgfbbhwz3L0dKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2543/mISS.%2BOF%2BcHARITY%2BjULY%2B2021%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="2543" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qcJ2exTR7k/YQgvqZ0F8hI/AAAAAAAAIz8/tw4LN5SIn-EKkYeZHcLzgfbbhwz3L0dKQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h312/mISS.%2BOF%2BcHARITY%2BjULY%2B2021%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">In July I were delighted to go down to Gaza after being absent for one year and a half. It felt so right to be there. Seeing Sabah, Wesel, Fawyseh and Mohamed again made me feel right at home. The debris from the destruction was still being scooped up with heavy machinery, carried away and roads were being opened again. In this last war they shelled residential area and high rise apartments mainly. In the last war Hamas building had been shelled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Having had troubles getting my permit to enter I spent two hours in a new building waiting in the heat to enter. Sabah and Sami our driver were a welcome sight when they came with the document allowing me to enter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">The main reason for this visit was to go to the bank to solve some long lasting problem. Again we had some hitches. I never made any headway and hopefully Bro. Lorenzo and I will go down together and get things worked out in September. We both have our signatures for our bank account in case that either of us is away and we can still take money out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Sabah brought me up on the situation. We have no problems with getting medications for the very poor monthly. The pre-schools are still closed until the middle of August or September first. No building material are allowed in yet after the war so we cannot continue for the moment to renovate homes. The funding has been promised us for two or three homes. The food distribution to 100 poor families continues until the end of September. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">A real concern is that none of the families who send their children to the pre-schools can pay the small fees monthly for their children. We hope to meet in September and try to work out a solution so our three pre-schools can continue.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Pictures will follow which tells the results of the short but powerful shelling lf the last war.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72157719627407009">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-89719182911049607252021-07-02T11:09:00.003+03:002021-07-02T11:11:52.897+03:00Info June 2021<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEOBOzSk06s/YN7JmzO-yDI/AAAAAAAAIy0/Z5_mLmbLtNAKTiEWTc2LCeX9NRtPpDvNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/young%2Bgirl%2Bwith%2Bher%2Bmeds..JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEOBOzSk06s/YN7JmzO-yDI/AAAAAAAAIy0/Z5_mLmbLtNAKTiEWTc2LCeX9NRtPpDvNQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/young%2Bgirl%2Bwith%2Bher%2Bmeds..JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>June Events<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>With the pre-schools closed it was a quieter month for Sabah and Wasel. Yet they were able to continue with the medical program. They change the region each month so that we don’t serve the same people monthly. Still families with disabled people have priority. We are able to give diapers to about 14 individuals monthly also and these people have different handicaps.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>They also visited many new families; names that have been given them these last months in order to decide what families are most in need of food. Here priorities have been given to those who lost their home in the last war. Sr. Frantiska and I hope to visit Gaza and to go to see some of these families this month when we receive our permits to go there. One hundred families have been chosen to receive the 14 items in each bag. It is all dry foods due to little electricity for refrigeration. The items included are soap for personal hygiene, washing dishes and laundry.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Next month in August, when the pre-schools are open for registering children for the fall Sabah and Wasel will be choosing a fourth school for us to replace the Musaddar Pre-School which one of our benefactors have begun to sponsor. They have three schools in mind to visit.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Photos of the women and one young girls are here to show who received medications for June.</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72157719486137899">Photogallery</a><br /></b></span></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-7789539042294903482021-05-27T17:51:00.002+03:002021-05-27T17:55:56.449+03:00Infos May 2021<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RI1pN-c0gJQ/YK-xiQMKqZI/AAAAAAAAIyA/Bd0nd552n3QscM11QgLAmEbWfkAQLzV-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Children%2Bfrom%2BBait%2BHanoon.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RI1pN-c0gJQ/YK-xiQMKqZI/AAAAAAAAIyA/Bd0nd552n3QscM11QgLAmEbWfkAQLzV-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/Children%2Bfrom%2BBait%2BHanoon.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">For those who have followed the events this month in Gaza you know that May tenth began the war in Israel and in Gaza which last eleven days ending on May 21<sup>st</sup>.Like the other post-war realities we began to receive donations to help us reach the hunger and the homeless now over 32,000 who were living mostly in the UNERWA schools. Yet this time, Sabah who directs our programs there was not totally over the COVID which she had contacted a few weeks previously. For the eleven days of the war nightly shelling gave little possibility to sleep or go out on the streets. She and her husband who lived in an area which was heavily shelled had to move in with friends.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; text-align: start;">Tomorrow almost one week after the end of the war many people are still in shock. Others are busy cleaning and moving the rubble from homes and streets. Last Monday we had hoped to get urgent medications to people; the streets were not passable, now we hope to do this next Monday. Sabah is feeling stronger, yet is not fully herself. We feared that our office was damaged, yet the windows are still there and it only needed a good cleaning. Funding came in to feed 200 families in June 100 more than what we do monthly. The pre-Schools are closed probably until September. Today our two women will begin to visit the hard hit families in the north where the shelling was the worst. The families also need hygiene kits with the basic items that they need immediately. The pictures included with this update will be taken by them today.</span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72157719280867509">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-15024135387639055282021-04-27T20:22:00.002+03:002021-04-27T20:25:23.453+03:00March and April 2021<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Moso2LWJlsg/YIhIoqk9ALI/AAAAAAAAIxI/tOT_FLVnNOYiz7A21U0SC_71QO_8qZJpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Moso2LWJlsg/YIhIoqk9ALI/AAAAAAAAIxI/tOT_FLVnNOYiz7A21U0SC_71QO_8qZJpQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/2%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">March and April 2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">In March we were able to continue our programs with seeing that the children in the four pre-schools had a good meal daily. The sick received their medications as usual. New outfits were delivered to all the children in our schools, so over 400 children received a new set of clothing. The photos of this month shows their joy when they received outfits.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">April brought a higher rate of the COVID to Gaza. As a result the government closed the schools again as a precaution. Ramadan started the 14<sup>th</sup> of the month and many families asked Sabah and Wasel for food due to the fast. They doubled the number of families needing food due to the generosity of our Al Omri benefactors. We will be able to continue this food program again for the next six months.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Sabah, our coordinator of our programs, and her husband both contacted the COVID. At first Sabah didn’t feel that she had it badly. Yet with time and continued fatigue she went to the hospital where they gave her extensive tests. The results showed no serious problems. They suggested that she stay at home and rest for a few days which she is doing. Her husband had other effects from the virus which were less serious than those of Sabah. We are grateful to the Lord that neither of them were seriously ill.</span></b></p><p><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72157719038751178">Photogallery</a><br /></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-38076356788973060792021-02-23T23:07:00.003+02:002021-02-23T23:12:09.152+02:00February 2021<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vewunZWDsYY/YDVvTE8GsLI/AAAAAAAAIu0/jj4tnfqg3lQAPlS9tC9khvNDG2tRm9KPACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/food%2Bdist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vewunZWDsYY/YDVvTE8GsLI/AAAAAAAAIu0/jj4tnfqg3lQAPlS9tC9khvNDG2tRm9KPACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/food%2Bdist.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">FEBRUARY 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">We are still not allowed to go down to Gaza, yet Sabah and our social worker Wasel continue our programs there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">We are having banking problems so this month we were unable to repair a home which we regret as we have had some heavy rains which are hard on families where the rain enters the roof, windows and sometimes even the doors to the outside.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">We have been able to give 100 very poor families a bag of food still and many of these families have a handicapped person or more in the family. Some families have up to five members disabled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">The sick who cannot buy their medications are helped. Monthly we provide the medication for 40 to 45 individuals. They are children, the elderly and all ages who need medications. Fifteen individuals receive diapers monthly also.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">The schools opened in the middle of the month. This means that our pre-schools opened suddenly. We hope that they will be safe for these three and four year olds who are now back in classes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">The good news this week is that the vaccine is getting to Gaza now. We pray that this will help to slow down the pace for which many are getting the virus. Gaza has had a high percentage of people contacting the COVIT. The hospital there do not have the equipment to deal with severe cases of the virus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Br. Lorenzo is still in Italy unable to return. He is caring for two brothers with the corona. After he receives his two vaccines we hope that he will be free to return. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Thanks to our benefactors we are able to continue to serve the population in this time of financial need.</span><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72157718407177783">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-48538835025053278612020-12-29T21:21:00.008+02:002020-12-29T21:27:46.484+02:00Christmas 2020<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KuuU0d54gNw/X-t-XrlIVfI/AAAAAAAAIsk/7kIYoyaoRwATKwhZV5q3YRZWivm3PTX5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s350/Senza%2Btitolo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="350" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KuuU0d54gNw/X-t-XrlIVfI/AAAAAAAAIsk/7kIYoyaoRwATKwhZV5q3YRZWivm3PTX5wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h256/Senza%2Btitolo.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: right;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">Christmas 2020<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">Dear <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">“All the end of the Earth have seen the saving power of God… Sing joyfully to the LORD all you Lands;<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">Break into song; sing praise.” </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">It’s time to wish each of you and your families many Joys and Blessings for the Christmas season! This year I must add my wishes that you are free of the COVID virus and living carefully.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"> What a strange Christmas 2020 will be! Physically we must be distant from each other, yet may this time of restraints which separate us in one way bring us together in other ways. We still have our cell phones with these devices: skype, zoom, what’s up and viper to keep connected with each other.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">In recent years I use this Christmas letter as an opportunity to bring you up-to-date on what has been happening with our programs in Gaza. When the corona hit in mid-March we tried to go on with our programs, but Sabah, our lady who runs the programs there, was detained in Turkey visiting her children and was unable to return to Gaza until September. She ran our programs through Wesel, our social worker, those months when Sabah was away. With the schools closed (they still are closed) we could only care for the sick monthly. Getting funds transferred to our account was another problem as Brother Lorenzo, who makes the monthly transfer, was in Italy on his home visit. The parish priest came to our assistance and he paid the bills at the pharmacy and Lorenzo was able through another aid organization to transfer money to reimburse him. We missed only two months of assisting the sick in receiving their needed medications. The Lord still runs our programs there. He truly loves the people!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">When Sabah returned in September, she evaluated the situation. The COVID was so bad in Gaza by then that the pre-schools were not able to open. The virus has struck 35% of the population since March. People stayed at home when they contacted the corona as the hospitals hadn’t the resources to respond to their needs. Whole refugee camps or towns were under lockdown for weeks at a time to control the spread of the virus. For a long time people did not have masks to wear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">We received funds to repair some six homes before the winter rains. The rains would quickly drench families due to faulty roofs. Homes are often without doors and windows; Bathrooms and kitchens are often broken down. Many have handicapped members who sleep on mats on the floor and are soaked when it rains. Our two ladies had already identified with our team the homes which critically needed renovations. Two homes a month have been renovated. You can’t imagine the joy shared in these families now with a safe, hygienic and proper home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">In November we received funding from Al Omri of Germany to feed 100 families for six months. We are so grateful for this funding as most <s>few</s> cannot find work to assure some food for themselves. We’ve never before seen so many hungry families in Gaza! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">The assistance we are able to provide to the very poor is due to your generosity during this critical year and through other years as well. You have been keeping us going through wars and other disasters for many years. Together we can make a difference for many families.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery";"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">Still the Lord seems to come to the aid of these people caught in a very bad situation.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">Know that you and your families have top priority as we raise your intentions to the Lord this Christmas. May he care for your every need and keep you healthy!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">I’ll add a personal note, I have been missioned to our Hospital in Nazareth to serve the seniors in the geriatric department animating their activities. I’ve already gotten very attached to these women and men who are not so different from the sweet children and young adults with whom I worked in Haifa. Being older myself, I seem to fit right in to this funny bunch. My three sister companions have been welcoming and supportive too.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: right;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">Love and prayers,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: right;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">Our team: Bro.Lorenzo, Sr. Julian,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: right;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"> Sr. Sandra, Sr. Frantiska and <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"> Sr. Susan<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sgs_UeUuuL8/X-t_gHfNM0I/AAAAAAAAItE/CCLgRr9I0ZYDCyDhUUQIR406ez8blET3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s483/Bambini.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="306" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sgs_UeUuuL8/X-t_gHfNM0I/AAAAAAAAItE/CCLgRr9I0ZYDCyDhUUQIR406ez8blET3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Bambini.png" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3TnkE-lN5c/X-t_gLwFuFI/AAAAAAAAItA/8c4wFrGdD8okN0JZRs1QPuuiwc_o5I66wCLcBGAsYHQ/s472/Bambini%2B2.png" style="font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="375" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3TnkE-lN5c/X-t_gLwFuFI/AAAAAAAAItA/8c4wFrGdD8okN0JZRs1QPuuiwc_o5I66wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Bambini%2B2.png" /></a></b></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><br /></b><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" id="_x0000_t202" o:spt="202" path="m,l,21600r21600,l21600,xe"><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"></v:path></v:shapetype><v:shape fillcolor="white [3201]" id="Text_x0020_Box_x0020_3" o:gfxdata="UEsDBBQABgAIAAAAIQC75UiUBQEAAB4CAAATAAAAW0NvbnRlbnRfVHlwZXNdLnhtbKSRvU7DMBSF
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" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" strokeweight=".5pt" style="height: 49.15pt; margin-left: 234.25pt; margin-top: 518.45pt; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 155.2pt; z-index: 251659264;" type="#_x0000_t202"><v:textbox><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><br /></p></td></tr></tbody></table></v:textbox></v:shape><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"> See the children’s and mother’s joy </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"> after their home was renovated!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div></div><p></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-23147699606706248762020-10-26T11:27:00.002+02:002020-10-26T11:27:31.308+02:00October 2020<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpxGHIzQh8Y/X5aVuvZzGMI/AAAAAAAAIqA/IXaxo95EB105-3vjQKcKr0iys0AcG9gYACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Fr.%2BMario%2Bwith%2Bboy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpxGHIzQh8Y/X5aVuvZzGMI/AAAAAAAAIqA/IXaxo95EB105-3vjQKcKr0iys0AcG9gYACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/Fr.%2BMario%2Bwith%2Bboy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">October 2020<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">To give all of you an update on events in Gaza thanks to Sabah’s presence and that of Wasel our programs continue. The critically ill have been able to receive medications that they need this month. As usual this includes children, men and women. They are only 30 people this month as many areas are closed due to the corona virus. This means that people cannot get to the pharmacy to pick up their medicines.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Our pre-schools are still closed due to the virus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Despite all we are able to renew two homes. We are anxious to do so before the fall rains begin. Families must find a place to live while the renovations go on. This is not easy for them to do as the families are large and often there is a disabled person among them. We hope to do two more home renovations also in November.</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72157716623714627">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8853924806786104192.post-30600971802732613392020-09-15T23:43:00.005+03:002020-09-15T23:51:12.294+03:00Update Summer 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWj1Jovf22s/X2EnV8zY_RI/AAAAAAAAIoo/XEfDFMpCR7oH_LWV90yrMZOfBHQo1sH_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2nd.%2Blady%2Bwith%2Bher%2Bmeds..jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWj1Jovf22s/X2EnV8zY_RI/AAAAAAAAIoo/XEfDFMpCR7oH_LWV90yrMZOfBHQo1sH_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2nd.%2Blady%2Bwith%2Bher%2Bmeds..jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">With summer behind us and fall is almost here it’s time to give you an update on events in Gaza. The good news is that Sabah and her husband are home safely. Sabah who manages our programs was abroad since January. She is back to work, yet there is a lock down there due to many cases of the corona among the population. She and Wasel, our social worker, are working from their homes. The medical program where 40 to 45 people receive urgently needed medications continues. The pre-school are all closed, yet hopefully next month they will be able to open. The 170 very poor families who cannot pay the school fees for their children are again assured that Al Omri will cover this expense for them through December and maybe longer if needed. We have the funding to repair more homes. The first will be started in October if the materials are available in the market and people can circulate again. We hope to repair a second one before the winter rains begin in November.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Our team of two brothers and three sisters are hoping to get down for a visit there soon. Three of us are awaiting our coordination’s to enter when the border is open again. We have no idea when this will be. Thanks to cell phones we keep in contact with our two ladies, the parish priest and the sisters with whom we stay with when we are there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/160363160@N04/albums/72157715985358713">Photogallery</a><br /></span></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097144261634171noreply@blogger.com0