Daughters of Charity - Gaza

January 2012 visit and meeting in Gaza

2012-01-06T09:22:00.001+02:00

January 5th. 2012 - Joe, Thomas and I went down together and had no hitches entering until we found that Joe wasn’t on the Palestinian list in collaboration with the Latin Patriarchate, which states that we are allowed us to enter. Still he was allowed to enter that day much to our relief.

Sabah met us as usual and we began in the north at the El Araba School to see the new roof being put over the children’s play yard. I will add so pictures of it.

We went to be at the meeting that day with all the directors of the five schools.

It was a great sharing of information and an update on events in the Strip. Seeing everyone again was a real plus. Enam had baked a cake for the occasion. We decided that a study of each school was needed before proceeding too far with the renovations. Joe and Sabah are preparing School profile. After we had our own meeting with Sabah’s input which was great. Due to limited funds this month we weren’t able to help but about 7 individuals with medical needs. We expect to be able to help more next month.

Children of Gaza greet the Patriarch - Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T09:07:00.001+02:00

His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem visited the Latin parish in Gaza on Sunday, December 18th for an early Christmas celebration. Some children received the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion.

The young Christians in Gaza are the best example of this year’s Christmas, and a beautiful Sunday message for the small Catholic community of the Strip. The Patriarch was welcomed by the local Christians led by the parish priest, Fr. Jorge Hernandez. Mass was celebrated, seven children were confirmed and three received first holy communion.

The Latin Patriarchate delegation was greeted in the courtyard of the parish to the rhythm of drums of the scout group of 60 members. About 300 people filled the church.
The children were at the heart of the Patriarch’s homily drawing the attention of the faithful to the Advent of Christmas. "A child, innocent and defenseless, was born in Bethlehem, in our beloved Holy Land. He brings peace and salvation to all men. We look up to him as a model and example, to be like him, to be witnesses of the love and mutual acceptance. In a world torn by conflict and hostility, the Child Jesus is an extraordinary sign of newness and hope. "The Patriarch continued by stating that "the children of the parish, who for the first time receive the Body and Blood of Christ, or marked by the Holy Spirit are for us the image of the nativity in Bethlehem." He concluded by saying that, "Peace begins in our hearts and extends to our families, and then silently spreads to our cities and in our land.

After the celebration, His Beatitude gave interviews to the local press. He insisted that every Christian has the right to go to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas. This year, Israeli authorities issued about 500 permits for Christians from Gaza to travel to the city where the Savior was born. However, excluded are those between 16 and 35. Families are not together, not for Christmas. Christians suffer like all Palestinian people who still do not enjoy the right to live in an independent free and peaceful state.

In the parish hall, families exchanged Christmas greetings and wishes for the new year in a joyful atmosphere. Members of the Patriarchate delegation were: Fr. Pietro Felet, Secretary General of the Celra; Fr. Humam Khzouz, Patriarchate Director General; Fr. Marcelo Gallardo, Vice Chancellor of the Patriarchate; Fr Mario Corniole and Fr. Gabriel Romanelli. Cris El-Bandak, a Christian from Bethlehem released by the State of Israel on October 18 in exchange for soldier Gilad Shalit, was present during the celebration.
After the big meal, the two cars of the delegation of the Patriarchate returned to Jerusalem. Control procedures and security at the Erez checkpoint were particularly quick and easy, thanks to coordination with the Israeli authorities.
Photos and article by Andrea Bergamini
(Source www.lpj.org - the article is also available in Arabic, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese)

Mid december 2011 visit

2011-12-15T17:45:00.000+02:00

This visit was for two days to catch up on the schools especially. I was able to visit all five schools. The children were hard at work in their workbooks given them by the government after they receive their permit. Yet I found that they had no other materials to work with. The last two years we did not have to provide these things, as two other organizations gave them in September for the entire year. Only one school had a few toys the other schools had none.

Many of the larger providers there have stopped their programs due to government controls. For me it was very hard to witness these schools working with almost nothing.

The meals which we provide for the children were very nice. One school said that they have no absences due to the good meals that are served. One little girl of five put her sandwich in her school bag right away. When we asked her why she didn’t eat it she said that she had a little sister at home who needed it. The teacher said that she often does this. One school in the Mara zee area will especially need our help to come up to the local standards.as no other NGO is helping them.

Album Picasa (18 photos)

Meeting with the auxiliary bishop Msgr. Shomali

2011-11-11T12:34:00.003+02:00

This November we had our annual meeting with the Patriarch or one of the bishops. We - br Andrea, Sr. Susan and Fr. Thomas- were delighted to have a visit and to be able to explain to our new bishop, Msgr. Somali, our ministry to the poor in Gaza. In the picture shown, regretfully Br. Joe was missing for this visit.

For some time we have not kept our friends up on our activities in Gaza. All has been progressing well. Br. Andres who is our technician has been asked by his community to study for the priesthood. We are very proud of him; he is in his second year of studies already. Recently he has found time to add our pictures and the stories with each.

The school uniform 2011

2011-09-27T14:35:00.001+02:00

The school uniform 2011 paid by Italian benefactors.

In June at the end of the school year I write up a report of our activities for the year. We continue to feed the children one meal daily in the five pre-schools in three different regions of the Strip. In October each child has received a blood test and a physical which will be repeated after some months. We hope that this will show that their balanced meal in school will show that they are healthier. El Omri of Germany has been our sponsors for these preschools for over ten years now. They also provide for the repairs and materials needed for the schools. This September we were able to fund four of the five schools with uniforms for each child. One school already had uniforms. The uniforms are made locally which help the local industries.

Album Picasa (6 pictures)

Visit to Gaza September 2011

2011-09-14T12:52:00.002+02:00

Due to generous benefactors these last two years we have moved into serving the sick. Last year we were able to assist 152 men, women and children with: medicines, various therapies, transportation cost to have surgery abroad, and orthopedic equipment. Dr. Amena has joined our group in Gaza who helps us assess who are in greater need when it comes to medical aid monthly. Her knowledge and connections there help the sick receive benefits from other medical NGOs in their region.

Pictures of latest visit in september 2011.

Picasa Album (4 photos)

Musaddar classrooms

2011-09-13T12:43:00.001+02:00

Italian benefactors, friends of Andres and Lorenzo, have been for three years now providing glasses for the poor children in our five nursery schools and for some needy adults. Some fine doctors visit the schools and volunteer their time to examine the children.

Diapers are a burden for families caring for a disabled adult or child. Monthly money to cover this expense is provided for about ten individuals.

We continue to meet monthly as a team to asses our programs and to plan for the future. We have lost Fr. Don More sj due to health issues as he had to return to the states. We miss his humor and good judgment. He was very faithful in his visits to Gaza. Don is truly missed.

Pictures of classes under construction in Musaddar.

Picasa Album (5 photos)

July 2011 Visit

2011-07-27T14:28:00.000+03:00

Pictures of our visit in july 2011

Album Picasa (27 pictures)

Schools - may 2011 visit

2011-05-20T13:37:00.001+03:00

Pictures of ours schools - May 2011

Album Picasa (17 photos)

Christmas in Gaza 2010

2010-12-27T09:21:00.001+02:00

Videocustodiae

His Beatitude, Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem went to Gaza on Wednesday, December 22nd, to visit the small Catholic community and celebrate Christmas a few days in advance.

A full delegation from the Latin Patriarchate, crossed the walls surrounding the Gaza Strip, to meet with the Christian community and celebrate the Christmas Mass.

Thanks to the meticulous preparation and coordination of Father Humam Khzouz, General Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate with the Israeli authorities, two diplomatic cars carrying the delegation quickly crossed the checkpoint. Traveling with the Patriarch was a group led by Father Humam, with Father Majdi Siryani, Director General of Schools, Father Marcello Gallardo, Vice Chancellor, Father Gabriel Romanelli, Father Mario Cornioli, and Mother Ines Al-Yacoub, Superior General of the Sisters of the Rosary. A media team: three Italian journalists, Franciscan Media Center, CMA TV 2000, two cameramen, and Andrea and Lorenzo from the Family of the Visitation.

"We start Christmas with this mass” assured Father Jorge Hernandez, the Latin parish priest of Gaza, “a long and intense preparation path leading us to the feast today." The parishioners, even in the midst of suffering, like all other residents of Gaza, were particularly involved in the preparations. We not only prepared the crèche in the Church, but have participated in many meetings and pastoral encounters, visited homes, especially the sick. (...) We welcome with great affection our Patriarch who comes to bring a word of consolation and encouragement. "

Nearly 200 people attended the Mass. In his homily, (in Arabic) the Patriarch said that "the Child of Bethlehem teaches us humility, meekness, simplicity and innocence in a world marked by violence(...). "Whoever wants to be great among you shall be your servant "(Matt. 20:26), and “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Mt 23.12). This Child is born into a loving family, a place of love. It reminds us that the family is the basic unit of society, a safe place for the physical, mental and spiritual development of every child. The Child of Bethlehem teaches us that love is first of all values, and invites us to seek unity, to avoid divisions in our families, our communities, our cities, our nations and between religions. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and with all your strength and love thy neighbor as thyself. Love your enemies and pray for those who hate you ... bless and curse not "(Mt 5, 43-44).

At the end of Mass, under a sunny almost spring-like weather, the sound of the drums and pipes of the Scout Group filled the atmosphere with a sense of joy and celebration. The Patriarch and his delegation exchanged greetings with Christian families. Before lunch, a quick and very meaningful visit was made to the Jordanian hospital, where much work is done in the care for the sick in the Gaza strip, often in very difficult working conditions. In view of Jordanian origin of the Patriarch, the steering committee gave him a very warm welcome and reception.

All the sisters from the four congregations serving the parish community, dignitaries, the delegation of the Patriarch, journalists and friends gathered and shared in a lunch catered by one of the best restaurants in Gaza. Delighted, joyful and edified by the beautiful community spirit in Gaza and witnessing a strong faith, alive in the midst of ‘darkness', the Patriarch and his delegation returned to Jerusalem, inspired and invigorated by the experience of the day

Here are the pictures of the special Christmas day in Gaza.

November visit on All Souls Day

2010-11-02T17:29:00.002+02:00

(The French translation below) Two families griped our hearts. They are both in Gaza City and each has a unique story. A handsome boy of ten, I will name him, Ahmad, with a slow but nice smile met us on our arrival to their home. We have visited many homes and very poor ones. This one was no different as this family of eight lived on the third floor of a building needing basic repairs.

Ahmad was playing in a local center for children, a club, where they could play afternoon after school when a shell entered the building landing beside him, which caused a fire. He was burned in the stomach and thy. It is two years since this tragic event, Ahmad has received treatment for his burns yet need a specially treated garment to cover the burns to enable the skin to heal. This garment must come from Germany and will be applied to the damaged areas.

Ahmad's Dad is mentally ill and so the mother has the six children to provide for alone. We help the family with food coupons monthly. They are behind on their rent so Sabah has been finding benefactors to help with this. We helped by paying 400 NIS for one months rent only, as the owner wants to evict the family. All of the children are still school aged.

Amne and her family are also from Gaza City. Due to sever scoliosis she has surgery several years ago in Egypt. The surgeon damaged her back and nerves to the extent that she lost her left leg. Amana is six years old and has out grown her artificial leg so she is in a wheel chair. She wares a full body corset due to her Scoliosis. Her vision is also very impaired and her glasses need to be changed. She seems bright even though she has missed a lot of school due to her various medical complications.

Her family appears to have a better home than that of others we visited. Still the Father had a mental collapse caused by the war when his son in law was killed leaving his wife and two young children. As a result this family has no income and all the children are still in school. A monthly food allotment they receive from us and we hope to be covering the costs of an artificial leg and new glasses for Amna this month.

Album picasa complete (61 photos)

Visite du jour de la Toussaint

Deux familles nous ont déchiré le cœur. Toutes deux habitent la Ville de Gaza et chacune a une histoire spéciale. Un beau jeune garçon de dix ans, que je nommerai Ahmad, avec un sourire lent mais joli nous a salués à notre arrivée dans leur maison. Nous avons visité beaucoup de maisons et quelques-unes très pauvres. Celle-ci n’est pas différente des autres puisque cette famille de 8 personnes vit au 3ème étage d’une maison demandant des réparations de base. Ahmad jouait dans un Centre local de loisirs pour enfants, un club, où ils pouvaient jouer l’après-midi après l’école quand un obus est tombé sur la maison derrière lui, occasionnant un incendie. Il a été brûlé à l’estomac. Cela fait deux ans que c’est arrivé Ahmad a été soigné pour ses brûlures mais doit encore avoir un revêtement spécial pour recouvrir les brûlures pour permettre à la peau de se reformer.

Ce revêtement doit venir d’Allemagne et sera posé sur les régions brûlées. Son père a une maladie mentale et donc cette mère de six enfants est seule pour pourvoir à leurs besoins. Nous aidons cette famille avec des coupons de nourriture mensuels. Ils sont en retard pour leur loyer, aussi Sabah a trouvé des bienfaiteurs pour y pourvoir. Nous avons donné 400 NIS pour un mois de loyer, parce que le propriétaire veut se débarrasser de cette famille. Tous les enfants sont d’âge scolaire.

Amneh et sa famille habitent aussi la Ville de Gaza. Elle a subi en Egypte plusieurs opérations pour une scoliose sévère. Le chirurgien a endommagé son dos et ses nerfs à tel point qu’elle a perdu sa jambe gauche. Amneh a six ans et sa jambe artificielle est trop petite, aussi est-elle en chaise roulante. Elle porte un corset complet pour sa scoliose. Sa vision est aussi mauvaise et elle doit changer ses lunettes. Elle semble intelligente quoiqu’elle ait manqué bien des jours d’école à cause de ses complications médicales. Sa famille semble avoir une maison meilleure que d’autres que nous avons visitées. Cependant le père a eu un effondrement mental dû à la guerre quand son gendre a été tué laissant une femme et deux jeunes enfants. En conséquence cette famille n’a pas de revenus et tous les enfants sont encore à l’école. Ils reçoivent de nous une allocation de nourriture chaque mois et nous espérons couvrir le coût d’une jambe artificielle et de nouvelles lunettes pour Amneh

Visit to Gaza October 12 And 13, 2010

2010-10-12T18:02:00.000+02:00

Fr. Thomas and I, Sister Susan, made good time arriving and entering. Sabah was there to meet us and we headed south to Magasse and Musaddar. It was great to see the children busy with their letter or numbers in these two village nursery schools. While there we saw each school serve the meal. Some schools have fewer children than last May and other have more. Hopefully you will have the pictures we took while visiting.

Some new events in the Strip are that the farmers are now able to export some products via the tunnels. Eggs and chickens are now cheaper in Gaza than in Egypt. Seven individuals were helped this month with surgeries or medications. Doctors will be examinating the children in our schools to see who needs glasses. They will be receiving free glasses as did the 46 children who received them last year.

The second day we visited the one and only nursery school for blind children and the center who serves all of the Gaza Strip for the blind. It was impressive to see two classes of children with vision impairments. This center has the only machine to produce books for the blind in Brail. They serve the Ministry if Education also in creating books for the blind.

Album Picasa (10 photos)

Gaza: the parish of hope

2010-10-11T21:32:00.001+02:00

by Andrea Bergamini
They are few, isolated because of the embargo and caught up in the society’s islamization carried forward by Hamas. But Catholic people are anyway a lively community, a sign of peace

We have heard it talked about many times because of its drama. But there could also be another point of view from which to look at Gaza: the one from the Holy Family Parish, the only Latin community in the Strip. An uneasy presence which is somehow the whole Middle East’s icon at the centre of the Synod which will be held in Rome this month. Andrea Bergamini, a religious of the Families of Visitation, reports.

The Latin parish of Gaza is small: there are about 2,500 Christians in the Strip and, among them, the vast majority are Orthodox. It is a “besieged” parish: the Israeli military barrier confines the one million and a half Gazan people in an open-air jail, and those million and a half Palestinians are almost all Muslims. But this is a very lively parish, as we feel every time that, once we have cleared the check-points, we manage to spend there some days.
To the person who comes from Jerusalem it is impressive to see the intensity with which people – quite a good number, at least 50-70 people – attend the daily Mass. The believers’ attention and concentration are immediately perceived as well as the vigour with which the readings are proclaimed and the prayers are said. In the small chapels where people pray, it is curious to see the friendly confusion which comes with the sign of peace and the communion which everyone receives.
After the blessing and the final hymn, the chairs are set out to form small circles and, with a cup of tea in hand, the latest news is recounted. On Sunday, the Eucharistic celebration “continues” in the churchyard where coffee is offered while the parish priest offers his greetings to every believer: “It is an intense communitarian moment which is to be shared after the Holy Mass in which fraternity and consideration for the others play an important role”, confesses father Jorge Hernandez, an Argentine missionary of the Institute of the Incarnate Verb who has been leading this community for a year and a half. If we could look at Gaza parish from high, zooming from the sky – and I think that this is the way the Lord does – we would see for sure a light of hope and faith shining in these people. Probably a light dispersed and sucked down the mass of houses and cars, rounded and besieged by the walls of war. A light emanating from the altar, from the body and blood of Christ who dies and rises again every day in the mystery of the Mass in the heart and in the lives of these Christian people.

“The Christian tradition in Gaza is a rich and old one. Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus probably came across it while they were fleeing to Egypt. This is exactly why Gaza is Holy Land with full rights”, father Jorge says proudly. This is why the parish is dedicated to the Holy Family. Since the first centuries of the Christian era Gaza has been home to monks, anchorites, saintly bishops… it is a red thread that originated with Jesus and extends to the present.
Most priests’, nuns’ and parish people’s energy is spent for children. We may say that they almost only work with and for them. Three Catholic schools welcome 1500 children daily. Of them, only 10% are Christians. In the parish, the group of older boys – the animators – is getting more solid. They meet weekly to carefully prepare the activities aimed at the youngest ones. “With our parish recreation centre Mar Iusef (Saint Joseph), officially launched a few months ago following the example of saints like Saint John Bosco and Saint Filippo Neri – father Jorge continues -, we try to stay with and to help children and young people, and to nourish in them the sense of beauty, the joy of Christian hope and the faith in the Lord.”
Attending some of their meetings I realized that they are not that different from the meetings in our Italian parishes. The need to spend time together, to play, to work as a team that for many reasons (the war, the old age of the previous parish priest, the parish traditions, and so on) during the past years has been difficult to fulfil, is very strong in the young Gazan Christians. During one of my last visits, at the end of the meeting we had played for more than two hours in the courtyard. In the meantime, meat was broiled to have dinner together. Cementing the friendship, enjoying mutual company, getting to know each other, finding a spouse-- everything that has become a vital to youngsters used to living at home, like in a ghetto.

The credit for this “revival” is in great measure due to Father Jorge who, with simplicity, started to call the youngsters, assigning them some tasks, listening to them as an elder brother, encouraging their opinions and ideas, leading them to discover their Christian identity. Made strong by the experience lived in other middle eastern places, he did nothing but open the parish recreation centre and be present on the grounds, in the catechism rooms, during the trips to the seaside, in the church. Children did not wait to be asked twice. Each Saturday the courtyard is crowded with 150-180 excited children.
The nuns, too, play a fundamental role. Starting in the early morning, from the chapels in their houses, prayer is the beating heart of the community. During the day, they show their particular charisma: Mother Teresa’s Sisters live with the handicapped children and with elderly people, housed there night and day, and in the morning they open their kindergarten (120 children). The Rosary Sisters have their school (from the nursery school to the end of primary school), the Little Sisters of Jesus live amidst the poorest of the poor. Soon, the nuns of the Incarnate Verb community, father Jorge’s congregation, will join as well. Much more than anywhere else, they all seem totally immersed in the Christian community, they are deeply part of it, they suffer with the people, laugh with them, cry with them. “The apostolate they are living – the parish priest comments – is a big blessing for all Gaza. This land will never be able to forget the mercy deeds which are every day humbly carried out”.
Three Latin Christian schools help the work of the parish in the Gaza Strip. The oldest is the closest to the church in the old centre of Gaza city: it includes a kindergarten, a primary school and a middle school. Every morning at 7:20 am students queue according to their age in the courtyard, attend the flag-raising ceremony, sing the national hymn and do some fitness training. Then everyone goes to the classroom. The vice headmistress welcomes us and leads us on a tour of the classrooms which are mixed. The ruling of Latin schools says that Muslim girls are not allowed to wear the headscarf within the school. In all of the other Gazan schools it is compulsory. For young Christian girls the situation would thus be very problematic without these institutions.

The Arabic language teacher is particularly solemn and proud when he presents his students. They look self-confident and willing to communicate, to use their English, to emerge from anonymity. The students who want to get to the high school leaving examinations will enrol at the Holy Family high school but not all of them will succeed because it is a high-level school, technical and difficult. We visit the science room, the teachers’ room, the library (we are told that it is well stocked with Arab literature books). Then we go to the nursery school. Rooms are wide, full of colours and games. For these children it is harder to smile. I do not understand whether they feel uneasy or they just do not want to. One of us was remarking that it is hard to see a child smiling in Gaza.
We go by car to Rimal, in the north of the city, a new neighbourhood, close to the sports ground where the Holy Family School, the flagship of the Latin Patriarchate, is located. The vice headmistress shows us immediately the certificate-diploma that they have prepared to remember their first place won among all the Gazan schools, obtained by taking a test done on a sample. The fourth class of the primary school of the Patriarchate earned the maximum score.
The Jerusalem diocese has always invested a lot in schools and education. Each parish has a school. It is the most direct and efficient way not to proselytise but to spread culture, the wisdom of meeting, studying, knowing. Young people have learned since they were babies how to grow up together, Christians and Muslims. And among all the schools of the Patriarchate the Gazan one, which operates in the most difficult and problematic context, emerges every year.
The former parish priest, father Manuel Musallam – a passionate, heroic, pedagogue and a bit “politic”, fond of his people – has chosen for years the best teachers, selected the motivated students, done his best to guarantee courses, didactics, infrastructures and modern tools. “This school – father Jorge explains – is the result of father Manuel’s 15 years spent leading this community. It was he who built it and directed it towards high and noble goals”.

The premises we pass through are big, bright, decorated with the pictures of the last 10 years of successes, diplomas, ceremonies. The classrooms are full of children. We invade, enter, take pictures, ask questions… The computer room is waiting for some benefactor to be renewed, as well as the library. Curiously enough, in some classrooms, there are some newer computers. I am told that they are the students’ own: they brought them here so as to use them at school to study (and only to do that).
Finally, in Tel al-Hawa, a modern neighbourhood in the South of Gaza, stands the school of the Rosary Sisters, inaugurated nine years ago. It was President Yasser Arafat who gave the land and supported the new school structure. The nuns say that he cared a lot about these kinds of initiatives. In almost ten years, society and conditions have radically changed: today it would be unthinkable to receive such countenance by the people who rule the Gaza Strip.
We start our tour with the nursery school. Sister Davida and sister Nabila tell us about the daily life at the school, the friendly relationship with the parents and the formal one with the neighbours but also about the dreadful attack of one year ago, the damages caused to the school and the children’s shock. I was moved by the sight of a nun teaching Christian religion in one classroom: listening to her there were only three girls and a boy who came out from their classrooms. One over ten or over twenty: these are the figures, the percentage of Christian-Muslim students in our schools!
The visit ends on the terrace where we see a distressing view. In Tel al-Hawa, the nuns’ house stands on the crossing of two streets that were controlled by two strong parties, Hamas and Fatah. And this neighbourhood was exactly the heart of the clashes between Hamas and Fatah before Hamas gained power. The nuns tell that, two years ago, someone placed a bomb in front of their main entrance. The explosion destroyed the entrance and burnt part of the house. During the operation Cast Lead (January 2009), the neighbourhood was surely bombed. The Israeli tanks entered here and left awful marks. The school suffered serious damages (a missile struck a window, a phosphorus bomb fell in the middle of the kindergarten). The houses around the school were almost destroyed.
But the problems do not end there. Many people told us that the ruling power is slowly, day by day, introducing measures that aim at radically islamizing the civil society, with a low tolerance towards different ideas or mores, through the use of violence, threats and retaliation so as to enforce the orders.
Only 10% of the population seems to agree with Hamas. The rest of the people are frightened, they are silent and endure, seeing the day of liberation and peace that distances itself each day.
In this very difficult context the three Catholic schools and Father Jorge's parish recreation centre are extraordinary signs of friendship, commitment, and good deeds. Children are the innocent and weak side of the conflict. And they are the future too. To go on investing all their energy and commitment in order to look after them and help them grow up as well as possible is a challenge that our Gazan friends - Chistians as well as non-Christians - are fighting. We have a lot to learn from them. We cannot leave them alone.

Translation from the italian language by Elena Dini (read the article in italian)
Source: missionline.org

Visit 21th of September 2010

2010-09-23T18:40:00.001+02:00

Br. Joe, Br, Andres and sr. Susan went to Gaza for our first fall visit. It was a blistering hot day. Yet our welcome was a nice relief from the heat and cold drinks accompanied us as we visited three schools and one women's center. Sabah met us at the boarder as usual and we visited the Al Arabia School where the children were hard at work. Due to the end of Ramadan being in the middle of the month the schools began only last week. The children of this School had no uniforms as this area is very poor. So far 120 had registered and more were expected.

The second school also in the north was the Amjad School. Here the children had lovely uniforms and they were made locally bring the price down to 40 IS each. We saw the nice work books and story books that they had purchased for the children and teachers. One hundred and fifty children are already registered at this school so that a store room has become a classroom. It has a tin roof and was stifling; they need a different roof badly.

The Zahar School was the third which is in the poor section of Gaza City.
Some of the children were outdoors playing. This school is in real need of new tables as the ones they have are too low even for the youngest. This school has become a center for family services complete with a social worker and councilors. Due to this they will limit there number of children to 100 this year. In this post war period the students and their parents often need counseling.

Album Picasa (96 photos)

Visit 27 th. of July

2010-07-31T10:57:00.003+03:00

Hot it was the 27 th. of July, Don, Lorenzo and I crossed the boarder bring in used clothing as usual and some hearing aid materials for a center in the north.

Sabah met us and we went directly to bring Sr. Clara home in the Beach Camp as she came from us from Jerusalem. Taking the beach road we went to Khan Yunis where we visited the Culture and Free Thought woman's center which gives out loans to women. Three of their members told about their program for women and answered our questions. They see giving grants as relief work and giving loans as development work. We went away enriched and challenged.

On our arrival in Gaza City we met discussing the families whom we had helped in July with medical needs and felt like we had helped to make a difference in the lives of these suffering individuals, eight people had been helped with medications or physical therapy and one had surgery.
Italian friends had given Lorenzo 150 pairs of glasses frames which we were able to give to the center where three doctors sever children needing glasses for a minimal cost. A parish in Italy gave us 1,000 euros last years allowing 46 children to have glasses and now we will be able to serve even more this year due to the same sum given again plus, being ale to use the glasses frames which were donated.

Gaza visit July 6, 7, and 8

2010-07-26T09:12:00.005+03:00

Brothers Andres and Lorenzo and I went down for three day arriving at the same time as Cardinal Mc Careick. We joined the men from the parish who welcomed him at the frontier, Sabah met us and we went to the parish where the Cardinal celebrated the ten o'clock Mass. Scouts with bagpipes playing welcome the him. His homily was great, as he encouraged the people in their faith despite the difficulties of life now.
This first day we visited Musaddar School seeing the added rooms on the second floor, which are great. Moh'd told us about the four micro finance programs which are going on there, which interested us greatly. We visited some poor families after and returned to the parish for the evening.

The following day we visited families and had a ten thirty appointment with another local NGO who gives loans for micro finance where the ones we heard about yesterday gave grants. After this we visited a shop where three doctors have donated their time to examine and to give 46 children glasses for a very low cost. This project was sponsored by Italian parishes. These people have been so generous; they will do the same for us in the fall. Near was a shop which was a micro finance project which previously Sabah had given this man a camera and the needed equipment to open a photo shop .He has been quite successful covering weddings and such so that he now makes a good living. It was a real success story.

The third day was a Moslem feast and many places were closed, still we were able to visit two centers where women were baking filling food orders to sell as other income generating project. Near was a center where women make lovely dresses for special occasions such as weddings so we saw this center. This day the Little Sisters joined us so we visited the Byzantine ruins near the sea and went on to the Musaddar School again so the sisters could see the programs going on there.
We finished the day with visits to several rural families of the area. One family lived in tents, no running water was available the heat was terrific All the families which we visited are receiving food monthly. To witness their poverty was heart rendering. Some had small income generating projects such as raising poultry. We went home very grateful for the great hospitality shown us and for the information gleaned.

A very special visit, June 21

2010-06-21T22:53:00.000+03:00

This was a very special visit as Sr. Vincent Allwan and Sr. Katharina came with Fr. Jean and me. We had a full day planned for them and Sabah kept us on schedule for everything. We began by visits to two poor families living in tents in the north. Two handicapped children were among them. Sr. Vincent was especially touched by the poor living conditions.
Still in the north we saw the open pools of human waste which had poisoned the ground water in the north. These pools have existed for years. The Beit Hanoun School we visited also in this area where the war more intense. Most of the windows had just been blown out by plans which had assaulted the area saying there were tunnels near the northern boarder. To our surprise Sabah had organized for all the people who we work with closely to be there to meet the sisters.

They shared about how each was involved with us in our three projects. None of them who have pre-schools were able to have summer camps sponsored by us as usual, due to being short of funding. Only big summer camps were offered by Hamas and UINERWA this summer.
Following we went to Gaza City to visit a poor family in a refugee camp. Again one teen was mentally challenged in this family and both parents had disabilities.
We finished the day by a visit to the Missionaries of Charity and to the parish priest. We saw the priests' boys with special needs and the sister's children with special needs, plus their elderly ladies who need total care. It ended up being a full day despite the great heat. Having our Sisters with us made this trip historic.

Album picasa (24 photo)

Visit June 8 th. 2010

2010-06-08T11:53:00.002+03:00

(See below the report in French) Br. Joe and I went down together. We wondered how we would find things after the flotilla incident. The Strip was calm in the daytime, yet shelled each night by planes in the south and sometimes in the north.

We brought with us some materials for a center for the deaf and this gave us a good chance to visit this center in the Jabalia Camp. We were impressed by the activities for the disabled which were in process there.

Sabah had made an appointment for us to visit a Community Center in Nassara who have many projects founded by various international groups and we were especially interested in what they are doing in micro finance. Women who had profited from their program shared their stories with us. Not all were success stories, yet most had become completely financially independent.

We ended the day with a meeting among ourselves and our various volunteers who help us. We also planned our next visit where the Visitatrix (Provincial) of the Middle East Province and my Sisters Servant will be our guests.

La visite du 8 juin 2010

Le Frère Joe et moi sommes partis ensemble pour Gaza. Nous nous sommes demandés comment nous allons trouver Gaza après l'incident de flottille. C’était calme pendant la journée car chaque nuit des avions bombardaient la région sud de la bande de Gaza et parfois le nord.

Nous avons apporté quelque matériel pour un centre de sourds et cela nous a permis de visiter ce centre dans le camp de Jabalia. Nous avons été impressionnés par les activités pour les handicapés qui étaient dans ce centre là.

Sabah nous avait pris un rendez-vous pour visiter un centre social dans Nassara qui a beaucoup de projets par des groupes internationaux et nous étions particulièrement intéressés par ce qu'ils font dans des micro financement. Les femmes qui avaient profité de leur programme nous ont raconté leurs histoires. Toutes les histoires n’étaient des succès, pourtant la plupart des projets sont devenus complètement indépendants financièrement.

Nous avons terminé la journée par une réunion avec les divers volontaires qui nous aident. Nous avons également préparé notre prochaine visite pour Gaza avec la Visitatrice (Provinciale)de la Province du Moyen-Orient et de ma sœur servante (superieure).

Visit to Gaza April 28 and 29

2010-04-28T12:15:00.002+03:00

Two had two great days weather wise and had the chance to go to visit one school the Amjad School. After we traveled south to Khan Yunis and saw the changes since the war in that area. We saw many street shops set up to sell the items that had come through the tunnels. On our way Sabah brought us up on the news. The government is taxing the people on many items now. cigarettes, medicines, and even one must pay two shekels to visit the sick in the hospitals. This is adding a very heavy burden to the families were 85% of the population in unemployed.

We visited the center for Culture and Free Thought where Sabah is on their board of direction. Fr. Don and Fr. Thomas couldn't stay overnight so they left that afternoon. I stayed on and with Sabah visited six very poor families that afternoon and the next day. One boy of 19 had been hit by shells last year in his abdomen, going in one side and coming out the other.
His lungs and kidneys were punctured and is having many difficulties as a result. We were so impressed by his father, who take total care of him. He was clean and his dressing had been changed. The mother has 9 other children to care for. The poor definitely evangelize us at times.

Entering and leaving we saw dozens of boys and men hauling stones and rocks out of the ruins for only 15 shekels a day.

Album Picasa (6 pictures)

Gaza visit April 16, 2010

2010-04-16T22:49:00.000+03:00

Nicole a student at the PBI where Don lives, Don, Jean, and I made this trip. We brought some needed materials for a deaf center in the north with us. We visited the schools to see the meals offered and so we went to two that of Marazey and Musaddar. We had helped them get cutlery and plates. Some new tables had been given both schools by Islamic Relief.

The children ate outside at each school. In the both Schools we saw the new rooms added on the second floor and the projects running here. It was very impressive as these schools have become real centers for change in their rural areas. Following we visited Mona's house and saw the interior which is large and comfortable for the family. Later it will be furnished, hopefully.
We finished by a report on the families helped medically and chose which families we would help next month. Eye surgeries were done, one man blind from birth can now see from both eyes. Another man with displaced discs in his back received medicine for the pain. We finished the day with a delicious meal at Sabah's home.

Album Picasa

Visit February 22 and 23

2010-02-24T11:29:00.003+02:00

(See below the report in French) Four of us went to down and for Br. Peter Bray of Bethlehem University, it was his first visit. In the morning we visited two of our schools that of El Amjad and Zahar. We found the children studying in groups. In one school we announced that they must teach the children in two shifts due to lack of space. The same teachers teach both groups of children. This must be exhausting. Nice meals were being given to the children. Both schools had been newly painted. Other renovations were appreciated by our group. After we visited four kitchens where the women's centers had grants to start catering delicious meals. We were able to sample their delicacies and left feeling a kilo heavier and ready to take a nap. In the afternoon I filled out forms on the individuals who we had provided money for surgeries or transportation for those who needed surgeries in Gaza or abroad. An artificial leg was purchased for one man.

Diapers will be provided for nine individuals monthly. Twenty children have received glasses and each week ten children are tested and receive glasses still. We discussed how to serve nutritious meals with a limited budget. Sabah will have a dietician meet with the five schools to plan high protein meals for the children and we will provide more money monthly is needed now so that the children can have a meal daily. This meeting will help us know how much money is needed per child per day. Tuesday was short as the boarder closed that day at 1:00pm. We visited two large poor families in the north living in tents. One father of three had lost his leg; two women were raising ducks, chickens and a turkey for eggs and meat. Despite their situation they were a happy lot. Their nice home near were in rubble and they were cooking on the ground in tents. They didn't mind if I took their picture.

Album Picasa (11 pictures)

La visite du 22 et 23 février 2010
Nous étions quatre personnes pour aller vers Gaza. C’était la première visite pour le Frère Peter Bray de l'université de Bethlehem. Le matin nous avions visité deux de nos écoles Amjad et Zakher Nous avons trouvé les enfants entrain d’étudier par groupes. Nous avons appris qu’une école enseigne les enfants en deux temps par manque d'espace. Les mêmes professeurs enseignent les deux groupes d'enfants. Cela est épuisant. De bons repas étaient donnés aux enfants. Les deux écoles avaient été nouvellement peintes. D'autres rénovations ont été appréciées par notre groupe. Ensuite, nous avons visité quatre cuisines où les centres de femmes ont commencé à produire des repas délicieux. Nous avions tellement mangé que nous avons pris un kilo et nous étions prêts à faire une sieste. Dans l'après-midi j'ai rempli les formulaires sur les personnes a qui nous avions fourni l'argent pour des consultations ou pour le transport dans Gaza ou à l'étranger. Une jambe artificielle a été achetée pour une personne.

Des couches seront distribuées mensuellement pour neuf personnes. Vingt enfants ont reçu des lunettes et chaque semaine dix enfants seront examinés et recevront des lunettes. Nous avons discuté comment servir des repas nourrissants avec un budget limité. Sabah rencontrera un diététicien pour les cinq écoles afin de préparer des repas à haute teneur en protéine pour les enfants et nous fournirons l'argent nécessaire pour que les enfants puissent avoir un repas par jour. Cette réunion nous aidera à connaître de combien aurons nous besoin d’argent par enfant et par jour. Le lendemain était court car nous devions passer les frontières avant 1:00 P.M. Nous avons visité au nord deux grandes familles pauvres vivant sous des tentes. Un père de trois enfants avait perdu sa jambe ; deux femmes élevaient des canards, des poulets et une dinde pour les œufs et la viande. En dépit de leur situation ils étaient heureux. Leurs maisons étaient en décombres et elles cuisinaient parterre sous les tentes. Elles n’avaient pas d’inconvénient d’être prises en photo.

Trip to Gaza February 11th.

2010-02-11T12:04:00.001+02:00

We were seven this time: Andres Bergamini, Lorenzo Ravasini, their friend Alexander, Fr. Don Moore, Br. Joe Loewenstein, and Fr. Thomas Bahmer and Sr. Susan Sheehan.

We joined Sabah at one of the women's centers where we had two meetings. The first was with representatives from our five schools. They had questions about what we had agreed to help them with such as renovations and materials needed for the children. They shared about their inability to pay their teachers as the children's parents cannot pay the monthly fees, nor the transportation. We will discuss this at our next meeting. They also said now that the food is so expensive that several of the schools cannot feed the children but three times a week. This is also to be studied; perhaps they need more money monthly for food. We broke for lunch and were served a delicious meal made there by three women who cook and bake as a catering service. We had ordered this meal and paid for it in order to sponsor this new initiative of the women.

In the afternoon we had a meeting with the Sabah and the three directors of the food distribution centers and discussed the families needing medical assistance. In January we were able to help: a family of 18 who had a skin dease due to living in a tent, a man who was totally blind to have eye surgery so he can see in one eye, transportation for a little girl needing cancer treatments in Egypt, one man with an amputated leg to get an artificial leg, transportation for a little boy with a hole in his heart needed surgery in Egypt and for medical exams for 40 people needing either glasses or operations. We left pleased that this medical help will bring quality of life to these individuals.
All of whom profit from our food program. Andres, Lorenzo and Alex stayed over for the week-end to be a help to Fr. Jorge.

Album Picasa (81 pictures)

Visit January 31, 2010

2010-02-01T17:23:00.002+02:00

Lorenzo, Andres and I, Sr Susan, accompanied two friends of the Western Lieutenancy of the Knight of the Holy Sepulcher, Chuck and Eleanor Radloff who have wanted to go to Gaza. This was the only day possible for them to visit. Before Mass we were able to visit the areas heavily shelled, mainly the industrialized area. We could see where some factories remained must as they were after the war and others that were being rebuilt. Men and boys with donkey carts were busy clearing and hauling away debris from the ruins. Others were straightening the tangled iron rein reinforment rods, working in twos. We are told that they are paid 15 shekels or $3.30 a day to do these jobs. We wondered how families manage to eat daily with such limited income.

We went on to the 10:00 Mass at the parish which is always a joy and to see friends. The youth and children have returned to going to the Mass and sing with great gusto. Chuck and Eleanor had a nice visit with Father Jorge and may help him with needed computers, for one of the schools of the parish which has none.

Sabah joined us and we went to the Middle Camps to the Musaddar School and saw all the teachers, even though the schools are all closed for the semester break. Teachers were busy making visual aids for the children. Mohammad shared with our guests all the programs going on it the school which continues to be a center for many programs for adults and children of the three local villages.

We wanted to see how Mona's home is advancing and found a beautiful reality. The house of two rooms and a bath which Fr. Giovanni Nicolini's parish has been sponsoring has become three times larger. The neighbors encouraged by help from the outside have donated cement blocks and money to build a house much larger and ideal for a family of ten. We never saw such smiles on the faces of the mother and each child as we congratulated them on the building. Four of the children are in their early 20ies and the youngest is three. We left thanking the Lord for this new reality. Mohammad did much of the work with the planning of the building.

Some visited briefly another family who Sabah had to see. We left in order to get to the boarder crossing by 14:30 as usual. Sabah and I, in the car, shared on the way, as I let her know what items from each school we will be sponsoring in February. She let me know which families will illness will be treated soon. I asked her to write a list of those served either with medicines or operations monthly. She also gave me the bank statement for Fr. Thomas for the month. In the three areas of our food distribution the social workers are reevaluating the families who are getting food. She will give us a new list soon.

Album Picasa (66 photos)

Video Youtube (3'49'')

Visit to Gaza January 11th. and 12th, 2010

2010-01-11T17:14:00.002+02:00

Fr. Jean and I, Sr. Susan went to Gaza having no problems at the boarder crossing. A meeting was canceled so we were able to visit some Greek Orthodox spots in the morning. In the afternoon we had a meeting with three of our five schools to find out what had been purchased for them so far and what needed to be bought. Following we had a second meeting with the heads of the three centers who run our food program.

Since moving into a new service, that of funding medicines and operations from among our 300 families who receive food we discussed which family was the neediest. From each area we received two forms. Another new five families from the Gaza City area were still to be studied. The cost of medicines and operations were not yet available for all, so this is being studied. The money for this project was given Sabah for the month of January. Hopefully this week the names of those to be assisted this month will be decided. The money will be given directly to the pharmacy or to the hospital by our staff when paying for the medicine and the operations.

The following day we visited the Parish's High school with Orla and Richard from Tuesday's Child of Ireland. The Holy Family School is run by Fr. Jorge. This school is in need of replacing the computers and Orla may be able to help Father with this. We also visited the Christian Camp going to the home of the Little Sisters of Charles Defoucauld who shared about their special ministry in the camp living in solidarity with the poor. Oral and Richard in turn told them about their various projects that they work hard to fund from the generous people of Northern Ireland. They fund our 300 families monthly in the food program, as well as centers for the poor in 14 countries around the world.

Album Picasa (12 photos)

Christmas in Gaza: a visitation

2009-12-21T16:57:00.002+02:00

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem - Christmastime in Gaza, celebrated, as is now the custom, in the last week of advent, was really beautiful. The Gospel of Luke for this Fourth Sunday of Advent tells the story of Mary rising and going quickly to see her old and pregnant cousin Elizabeth who lives in the hill country of Judea. The meeting and the greeting of the two women lets loose the joy of the babies they carry in their wombs. That is just the way it was for this visit of our Patriarch Fouad, pastor of the Mother Church of Jerusalem and representing the whole Church.

Christmastime in Gaza, celebrated, as is now the custom, in the last week of advent, was really beautiful. The Gospel of Luke for this Fourth Sunday of Advent tells the story of Mary rising and going quickly to see her old and pregnant cousin Elizabeth who lives in the hill country of Judea. The meeting and the greeting of the two women lets loose the joy of the babies they carry in their wombs. That is just the way it was for this visit of our Patriarch Fouad, pastor of the Mother Church of Jerusalem and representing the whole Church.
Both quick on his feet and determined, he passed through the walls and barriers to finally reach the house of the Holy Family in Gaza, a parish community marked by years under siege, imprisoned and mortified by the Israeli attach a ear ago, hungry for justice and peace, but rich and in faith and hope. The Patriarch’s powerful and courageous words reached the hearts of the Gaza Christian, bringing comfort and joy to each person: “Oh Infant of Bethlehem, you who passed through Gaza in your flight to Egypt, grant us your patience, your love, your goodness – the Patriarchate said – May this new year bring reconciliation, purification of intentions, a meeting of hearts, the end of divisions, the destruction of walls and the construction of the bridges of understanding, mutual forgiveness and encounter among peoples.” The little child of Bethlehem did not have either prestige or power in the eyes of the world. Yet he is our King, God among us! In his small size and weakness there is hidden the light and salvation for all men!
The parish of Gaza anticipated the coming of this day with commitment and dedication. For days, well-organized working groups set up the manger scene, decorated the interior and exterior of the church, prepared the songs and liturgy, and got the hall and lunch ready. After many years of silence, the Scouts got out their drums and welcomed, cheered and greeted the entire delegation with the Patriarch. It was very large: Bishop Marcuzzo, Don Peppino Barbesta pastor of Retegno (LO Italy) founder of Workers Believers. The community of the Incarnate Word IVE, which to the pastor of Gaza Father Jorge belongs to, and his brother Father Elias, were happy to receive their Father Provincial, Fr Luis Montes, as well as Father Gabriel Romanelli and father Victor. Belonging to the Patriarchate were Fr. Humam Khzouz, the Patriarchal general administrator and Fr. Majdi Siryani, director general of schools. Mother Ines Al-Yacoub, Superior General of the Sisters of the Rosary also came to visit the community of her sisters. Don Nandino Capovilla of Pax Christi and Don Marco Italy Corniolo, Andrea and Lorenzo, two brothers of the Families of the Visitation and 3 journalists also came along.
About 300 faithful filled the small parish church and celebrated the Sunday mass with warmth and participation. After the Mass, all the Christians greeted their visitors under the pleasant sunshine.
Thanks to Fr. Nandino the celebration also reached many others whose eyes turned towards Gaza. More than 50 cities were ‘spiritually’ participating in the mass, remembering Gaza in their prayers.
In the greeting hall the Patriarch also met with Muslim dignitaries. He blessed and handed over an ambulance that Caritas Jerusalem donated to Al Ahli Arab Hospital. Then, together with all the religious sisters of Gaza, the bishops and priests of the delegation, His Beatitude blessed the house named “Hogar de Cristo.” It is entrusted to the community of the Missionaries of the Incarnate Word under the supervision of Fr. Elias and will soon house handicapped children.
After a convivial lunch there were the goodbyes and the departure for Jerusalem in the hope that, with the permission of the Israeli government, they all might see each other again on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem.

Picasa Album (84 photos)

Visit december 2 and 3, 2009

2009-12-06T16:17:00.002+02:00

Fr. Jean and I, Sr Susan had no hitches entering and leaving. Fawyseh and Sabah met us on the other side. We visited the Amjad School which Jean saw for his first time. The children were still there which was nice. The school was clean and the children were working hard. Jean spent a good amount of time getting to know their situation in the vicinity and asked what was purchased and need to be still.

A driver took us to Gaza City where Sabah had arranged a meeting with those involved in the food distribution: Maha, Fawyseh, Mohamed and Sabah. We learned much about the situation in each area. Our form will be for the families in need of medications, surgery, dippers for the elderly and all things related to health. I will meet monthly with this same group to identify the families most in need of our help.

That evening we visited the Little Sisters in the Christian Camp. Jean said Mass there and Grada was with us. They also shared the history of the Christians families who settled there. They have also four families from various regions that are in a desperate situation and asked for our help. I said that we would study these in January.

Following we went to Grada's home where we sat in the dark around lanterns as the electricity had gone out. We were served a nice meal and again listened to their stories. Grada shared about the success of the children's party in the parish last Saturday where 170 spent the day in various activities.

That night we stayed over at the parish and Fr. Jean said the Mass that next morning. Andrea, Lorenzo and Fr. Giovanni Nicolini their superior and founder joined us for a visit of the Marazi School. Jean visited and listened to Awatif as she explained the situation of the school. All our schools are concerned as they can't pay their teachers as the children's families cannot pay their fees. We reminded them that we can't pay salaries and asked if we could pay the children's fees. Mohamed picked up us and brought us to his school where several of us.

We hadn't seen Rouida in over a year so we went there to see her and their twins, now three years old. Visiting was a woman who was crying as the doctor had just told her that her baby in her womb was dead. She had no money to have surgery to remove the baby. Due to the presence of Fr. Giovanni Nicolini we were able to give her some money for the surgery. We felt that it was Providential that we were there at that time.

We had wanted to revisit Mona a widow with ten children and living in a tent for 7 or 8 years. We left her a bit of money and heard how her son's eye operation went at St. John's Eye hospital in Jerusalem. We helped pay for this surgery and he must return for a check up in January. We left her some money and promised her that we wouldn’t forget that they need a house. A couple of years ago Orla had promised to fund a house for them some time ago. Now perhaps Fr. Giovanni Nicolini's parish may take on this project. Some building materials are getting in now.

Mohamed brought us to still another family living in a tent, to the home of seven children and their parents. The mother was cooking on a wood fire inside on the dirt floor. Again we couldn't leave without giving this woman something. These two tent families receive food from us monthly.
Lorenzo, Andres and Fr. Giovanni Nicolini remained for another day in Gaza.
We returned across the boarder with much to assimilate. We were in admiration for the people living under great hardships. One can't help but wonder if things can get worse.

Album Picasa (46 photos)

Video Youtube

Video Youtube

Gaza visit of November 10th - report

2009-11-11T20:14:00.001+02:00

Picasa Album

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

A week-end in the parish: 30 october - 1 november 2009

2009-11-03T19:45:00.000+02:00

Picasa Album

Andres and Lorenzo spent a nice week-end in the parish mainly with Fr. Jorge, the Youth of the parish, the Little Sisters and Grada and her family. They visited the Byzantine ruins of the monastery near the coast which we hope that the new members of the team will be able to see. Fr. Jorge continues to join the kids weekly for their religion class and he organizes activities for all the youth about 40-70 every Wednesday doing something different weekly.

Video from Youtube

Our visit October 26 and 27

2009-10-30T13:49:00.000+02:00

Crossing the boarder went well. A new health check was added at the Gaza side. Only our temperature was taken.

We were able to visit three schools and one women's center through these two days. Fawyseh was our driver as we started at her school where Sabah met us. At each school the children were busy learning to write their alphabet or numbers. Some were outside in the playground or having their lunch which we helped to provide.

With the directress of each school we announced the items that we had decided to provide for them for their schools. We asked them to get estimates of the prices and Sabah would with them what was best. Two need refrigerators and buying two at one time may be cheaper. The directress of the Zahar School was at the women's center, so we were able to discuss with her the same items to be purchased as we did with the other three schools.

At the Women's Center we were happy to meet the Directress and her team who run the various activities. Suha and Wissal the two social workers who have been doing home visits and have files on each family who need food; we met for the first time. We were very impressed by their work. They shared some of their stories. Many services to the area are provided at this center. It is one of the three Centers who distribute food for us. The women witnessed to a real sense of respect and collaboration among themselves.

As usual Fr. Thomas finish our first day with Mass said at the Missionaries of Charity. I spent the night with the Sisters and he at Fr, Jorge's house. Fr. Elias is at home as his brother is very ill. Despite very hot days we returned home being grateful to all whom welcomed us, shared their realities and vision of the future with us. Regretfully their situation seems to be worse at the moment due to political realities.

The pictures are of the children at the Missionaries of Charity School and of the women responsible for programs at the woman's Center.

A Day of Recollection to write our Mission Statement

2009-10-23T13:58:00.000+02:00

Four of our team met for most of a day to reflect and to create our Mission Statement. Ideas were presented from other organizations serving the poor. In silent prayer each sought to formulate ours. Just before noon we shared a liturgy and after had a meal together. A brief meeting followed. Fr. Jean took note and will share with us in order to add to or make corrections, so that all will agree to our final draft of our Mission Statement.

Gaza: Mass and blessing of the parish's new installations

2009-10-18T12:38:00.000+02:00

On Sunday, October 18, Father Humam Khzouz, the General Administrator for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, paid a visit to the Latin Parish in Gaza, accompanied by Mother Ines Al-Yaqoub, the General Superior of the Rosary Sisters and by Br. Andrea Bergamini. The parishioners, gathered together for the Eucharistic Benediction, warmly welcomed the small delegation. Fr. Human was the celebrant at the mass.

In his homily he made use of the readings of the mass to encourage the Christians to offer service, to be ready to perform reciprocal acts of charity, to sustain each other’s hopes even, and above all, in the dark and difficult moments that, for too long a time now, have been characteristic of the life of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip. [...]

After the mass, there was the blessing of the rooms under the rectory, and the large hall under the nursery school, which have been recently restored, thanks to the contributions of a few Italian parishes. These rooms will serve for catechism classes and youth get-togethers. In fact, the Pastor, Jorge Hernandez, has been dedicating particular attention to the Christian youth of Gaza. Every week he invites them to the parish in order to play, meet to discuss or pray together: between 70-90 young people of various ages – a number that grows to even 120 when you talk about the great appreciated field trips away from the parish – enliven and render joyful these parish meeting rooms. There is still much to do, and every help is grateful appreciated, but still, from among the parishioners, you can sense the enthusiasm and happiness.

For a few weeks now, Fr. Elias, who is also of the community of the Incarnate Word, has been living in the parish, and is from the same country and ordination class as Fr. Jorge. He deals with people with gentleness and goodness, supports the Pastor, and spends a great deal of energy studying Arabic.

Fr. Humam Khzouz was able to meet the teachers at the patriarchate school, talk over the most important and urgent matters with Fr. Jorge, and visit the school of the Rosary Sisters, which was significantly damaged during the Junuary 2009 war. With warm cordiality and a true spirit of hospitality, the sisters, together with their Mother General, invited the priests and sisters of Mother Theresa to lunch at their house.

The video (Youtube)

The photo gallery (picasa album)

Source: www.lpj.org

Visit to Gaza on September 29th and 30th.

2009-10-13T08:38:00.005+02:00

It was the feast of the Guardian Angels and as Fr. Thomas and I waited with others an hour and a half to enter the boarder crossing we asked our Angels to storm heaven for us. I was the one to be delayed entrance for a time. So our day had a slow start yet right away we went to one of our schools in the north and the children were working on their letters and numbers. The classes were crowded, as many preschools had been destroyed in the last war.

Sabah told us that due to larger classes we must give more money monthly to the larger schools, so that the children can be fed daily rather than two or three times a week. We hope that we can do this.

We noticed how there was many cars on the streets again and were told that the gasoline is now only $2 a liter and solar $1 a liter, so the people are buying cars to be like taxis for others to earn money. Still there are many donkeys and carts on the roads. We asked it most items needed, can be found in stores now? Sabah said yes, but at a high price.

For example fruit is very expensive. We asked the three schools who we visited or directresses whom we met what are their urgent needs and their long term needs listing all. Most seemed necessary such as school supplies, repairs on their water filters and one asked for a refrigerator, so they don't have to shop daily for fresh foods.

That evening we returned to the parish were we met the new priest who will live with Fr. Jorge. He is young and is called Fr. Elias. He hasn't learned Arabic yet, yet everyone is thrilled to have him among them. Fr. Thomas spent the evening with the priests and I it with the Missionaries of Charity. Grada and Rita came for the table games which we had purchased for their children and were delighted with the games for all ages of children.

Four to five people are still killed in the tunnels daily due to some collapsing or due to the shelling of the tunnels.

Wednesday we visited the Amjad School in Marazi and found out that the owner will be using two of their classrooms. They did find other rooms which replaced these two rooms. Thursday we had the startling news that the directress and her assistant may be leaving the school, as one is ill and one has another job. Sabah will be inquiring if we should still help this
pre-school in the future as she visits their board.

We ended with a visit to the bank with Sabah. On leaving, this time it was Fr. Thomas's turn to be delayed at the boarder, but for a short time.

Visit to Gaza September 1 and 2 , 2009

2009-09-04T15:32:00.000+02:00

Visit to Gaza September 1 and 2 Andres, Lorenzo and Sr. Susan left for Gaza at 6:30 am and had an half hour wait before having our papers processed to enter. The rest went quickly. Fr. Jorge sent his driver Muhib to collect us. Our first stop was at the bank to make a deposit for August expenses. Sabah was still in Egypt. She hopes to be able to return next week. We really missed her presence among us.
Following we joined Fr. Jorge who was at the new school and he accompanied us to the parish where Andres received an update on things there. Lorenzo and Sr. Susan visited the Musaddar preschool and were happy to hear of their various summer camps of which were very impressive. They also have some building projects started, an added room for the school and a second floor for various activities which go on in the afternoons for the three local villages. The children sang for us and the classes are very full.
Monday again we visited a second school in the Zitoun area of Gaza City. Again we were impressed by all the activities going on despite Ramadan in full swing and the economic problems. We saw the roof for shade which we had sponsored and the water tank and filter which another relief organization got for them. Both schools had shared the immediate needs with us. We were able to say our farewells, cross the boarder to be back home by 3:00 pm. As we were leaving we could hear some shelling in the north. The people are courageous amid difficulties on every side.

Meeting and dinner at the brothers june 13, 2009

2009-06-13T22:31:00.003+03:00

All of us were present most likely due to the chance to enjoy Lorenzo's macaroni! Fr. Thomas Bahmer joined us for the first time and was unanimously voted in as a new member of our team. Welcome Thomas, your humor enlivened the sharing! Gradually your other talents will be tapped. Since we were all present there is no need to write up all of the meeting.
Yet here are the decisions which we made:

Jobs:
Lorenzo and Andres will work with Fr. Jorge.
Jean will work with the schools and summer camps.
Lorenzo does the accounts
Andres website and co ordinations
I will continue to work with the food program.

I thank the Brothers for their hospitality and all of you for your active participation. We may not meet again for some time. May those of you traveling have a great summer with family, community and friends!
Sr. Susan Sheehan

News Bits for April and May 2009

2009-05-30T18:54:00.004+03:00

April brought a new pastor to Gaza Fr. George and this month he was orientated by Fr. Manuel who had spent 14 years as pastor of the Catholic church. Fr. George is from Argentina and has studied Arabic which he speaks well. May one, he took over his parish from Fr. Manuel who left for his retirement in Ramallah.

Our prayers accompany him and Fr. George as they both continue their journeys to holiness in Ramallah and in Gaza.We made four or five visits to Gaza these months visiting each of our schools and visited some families the regions devastated by the war. One would expect to find some improvement since the war. Due to no building materials being allowed in the situation remains the same.

The only change was seeing the iron rods which were twisted in the ruins were removed to be sold. Gas and gasoline were available now for those who could afford it. Donkeys and carts are as commons as cars now on the roads. Vegetables and fruits are being harvested and sold. The prices are low, which is good for the poor, yet very bad for the farmers. Some items of necessity come in still by the tunnels at the south.

We are able to continue to run our programs due to the presence and good organizational skills of Sabah. The nursery schools all closed at the end of this month; we were able to be at the end of the year party in one of the schools. By the end of June the summer camps begin in the same buildings for elementary age children. This summer we will be able to sponsor 8 camps each for 60 children for two weeks.

When visiting the poor families, who receive food monthly from us, three teenage boys were found to need eye surgery. So far we have the funding for one boy and hope to be able to send all three from different families and regions for surgery. Some may have to go to Egypt for it.

The security is all dependent on Hamas gunmen posted at intersections of Gaza City holding automatic riffles. Sabah for example doesn't allow her teenage children out unaccompanied.

Spirits there are low; people feel restricted and imprisoned at every turn. As Pentecost arrives may the Spirit's presences be felt, both Muslim and Christian find the strength to go on together without bitterness, but with hope.

Sr. Susan and Team

Miscellaneous Photos January-May 2009

Visit to Gaza with the new pastor - March 1-3, 2009

2009-03-07T09:09:00.002+02:00

Visit to Gaza with the new pastor

Report: Visit February 19 th.

2009-02-21T08:44:00.000+02:00

Br. Renzo and Fr. Don and I arrived a bit early and still had to wait an hour or more to enter. This day John Kerry was also visiting the Strip. We met to congressmen who were to join Kerry for the day.
First we went to the Zitun nursery school and visited the classes. They shared with us their needs as it was a different building for them. After the war they were not allowed by the owner of the last building to return as they have been threatened by Hamas during the war. Here was saw a little boy of five who was speechless ever he was torn from the arms of his father during the war. The teachers are working with him to begin to talk, enter into the activities of his class and to play.
Following briefly two of us went to an AIDA meeting to coordinate relief efforts in Gaza in which the major relief organizations participated. We were brought up to date on recent events.
Fr. Don what hadn't seen the destruction after the war so he went with the driver to see the area worst hit in the north. He saw the ruins of the American School which had cost five million dollars to build.
We left early to be at the frontier before it closed early that day.

Photogallery Gaza Visit - 19 feb 2009

2009-02-20T16:05:00.000+02:00

Visit to Gaza 19 feb 2009

Gaza after three weeks of sheeling

2009-02-13T13:21:00.001+02:00

The post war situation in Gaza is critical; it is truly a humanitarian crisis for the million and a half people. Half off this population are under 17 years old. Before the war the people were cut off from basic necessities such at cooking gas, electricity, clean water and basic foods. During the three week of shelling from the sea, air and ground the situation only worsened as again the boarders were closed to medicines and all relief organizations. Half to sixty percent of the population are refugees from the various wars. One can’t tell what a village is and what is a refuge camp, most the people are very poor. Half of the schools are government run schools and half are the UN UNRWA schools. The economy broke in June of 2006 when Israel boycott closed the boarders to basic foods, fuel and materials.
A little team of 6 religious of several different communities called the Daughter's of Charity Gaza Project, (in the beginning we were only Daughters), began assisting the people. After an assessment study and with the guidance of Catholic Relief Service who were well established in Gaza we partnered with private little nursery schools mainly in rural area and refugee camps. Being that they came to school hungry we provided a breakfast. In 2006 with the boycott of the Strip we knew people were hungry, so we began to distribute food parcels to the most needy in three of the regions were the schools which we partnered with were located. The volunteer help of each school located the poorest families. Food coupons eventually replaced food parcels allowing the families to choose the food best fitting to their needs. This second project continued even through out the war were local volunteers risk their lives to distribute food to families during the shelling. Only canned food was given as the people had no cooking gas to prepare their food. The schools were closed during the war.
A few days ago Andrea, Lorenzo and I visited the most devastated areas. We found ourselves humbles before people with nothing. In front of one collapsed building were four women with babies in their arms husbands were killed only a few days ago leaving 24 children without fathers? These four families had nothing. Everything they owned was buried in the sand and rubble of the building. They only had the cloths on their back. Tents had been provided for them. We were able to leave them a bit of money for dishes, pots and pans, and clothing and assured them that they would be getting food.
Thousand of people are homeless. Their stories are hard to believe as man's immorality to others was boundless. One whole family of 30 were taken out in the night and interrogated and killed one by one. A lone baby was spared, found, and also killed. Even the people's animals were all shot; we saw fields of dead cows. Near some of the building the stench told us of the bodies still not found beneath. Some of the children in the nursery schools faces were expressionless due to the three weeks of shelling. Pray with us for peace and healing of minds and hearts. May the world community join us as the political jumbo can only be saved by the healer of hearts, the Lord, Himself.

Sr. Susan Sheehan DC, February 7, 2009

Photogallery: Visit to Gaza Strip after the war

2009-02-10T17:59:00.000+02:00

Visit to Gaza Strip after the war

The ruins of Gaza after the war

2009-02-06T13:11:00.000+02:00

Beit Hanun school - Gaza strip after the war

2009-02-05T11:31:00.000+02:00

Christmas with the christian children in Gaza

2008-12-27T22:00:00.000+02:00

Christmas with the christian children in Gaza

December 2009 events

2008-12-09T21:53:00.000+02:00

This month I am writing on the 9 th. and up to this date we still have no permission to enter, nor has journalists and other NGOs been allowed in. Now there only a few hours of electricity is given during the week. People will be receiving food twice this month, due to not getting theirs in November. We regret that they didn't have the November distribution before the feast of Adahak which was the 8 th., yesterday.

November 2008 events

2008-12-01T21:52:00.000+02:00

Again we were not permitted to enter. The transfer of money is increasingly difficult, due to this we were unable to get it transferred to our bank there until the end of the month. People are unable to cook their food or do so on wood fires due to no cooking gas. Electricity is limited to six hours daily. Life continues to be more difficult for everyone. The school chosen to be the fourth that we helping with the breakfast program is that of Masaddar, which has helped us with the coupon distribution in that area now for several years. Their area, all agricultural and near to the boarder, is especially in need. This month our team met and we studied what possibilities we have for the present and future due to the disintegrating situation. Rugs will be purchased for each classroom as the children are all still sitting on the floor. There are no chairs or tables available in the stores.

October 2008 happenings

2008-11-01T21:49:00.000+02:00

We were unable to visit this month as the boarders were closed and no passes given. Still our lady there, Sabah, was able to keep our two programs running. The children received a breakfast, yet not like before when ANERA was able to get high protein wafers and milk to the schools. Coupons were again distributed to 150 families to choose what foods they needed most. Due to no gasoline, the little public transportation being too expensive or non existent, a donkey cart collected the food for many families. Ten families were added to the 150 making them 160 and Sabah worked on getting the information on each of the new families with pictures for our faithful benefactors that of Tuesday's Child out of Ireland.

Events in september 2008

2008-10-01T21:47:00.000+02:00

With the time for schools to open Hamas gave some of the schools the keys to allow them to open. Each room had to be repainted due to the damage and graffiti. The children gradually returned but had to sit on the floor due to no chairs and tables. Tape recorders, books and everything in the kitchens were gone. We bought those schools supplies, so that the four schools would have something to begin with. This month we were able to visit only once. We also visited two very poor families. One was living four years in two tents, a family of 10, as their home had been destroyed. The father had just died six months before of a heart attack. This family received the monthly food coupons from our program. They were all very thin, as our food only lasts about ten days.

August 2008 events

2008-09-01T21:44:00.000+02:00

The situation for our schools became critical as Hamas entered the schools at night and in some broke windows and in all wrote graffiti on the wall. They proceeded to take everything out and in one of our schools burnt the books and furniture in the play yard. They took the keys or boarded up the schools not allowing anyone to enter

Report: trip to Gaza June 30 08

2008-07-07T08:22:00.001+03:00

Early on June 30th, Bro. Andres, Andrea, and I, Fr. Don M., drove to Gaza, using PBI’s Honda. We got through Erez in good fashion, with a reminder to be back by 4 PM since the crossing closes at 7 PM. Sabah met us on the Gaza side, with Admon our regular cab driver. We drove first to the Sakher School in the Sujjaya section of Gaza City. These 60 nursery school children were in the second week of a two week session of summer school. I am amazed at how much joy they get from so little. The teachers at the school (volunteers?) are an inspiration to the kids. Most of the children (and a few of the teachers) were wearing summer school baseball caps and white T-shirts with black trim around the V neck and a black logo on the front “Children for the Future” (in English and Arabic), and on the back “Daughters of Charity Gaza Project” – a very well designed T-shirt. The children were in three different groups playing games, or learning some sort of songs or sayings that they would shout out with great glee. The Sakher school has two such two-week summer sessions, including either breakfast or lunch, and trips to the sea (not sure how many).
The second school we visited was the Light and Hope School (Nur al Amal?), also in the Sujjayah section of Gaza City. We funded this school because the nursery school in Beit Hanoun (our usual target school) already had sufficient funding from Anera and other NGO’s for their summer sessions. This summer school was for 60 children about 8-10 years old, again with the same T-shirts and caps. It seemed to be more “professional” in its approach, perhaps because of the age differential. One class I watched in a darkened room was doing some impromptu play-acting, with two children in the center of their circled classmates, responding to different prompts from the teacher. Another class I watched seemed to be learning dancing. Later, after lunch had been served, this class put on a lovely performance of folk-dancing for all to watch.
These were two of the seven schools funded by our donors with 5000 NIS each. We did not have time to visit the others. One question raised (presuming we have the correct information) The Light and Hope School was only having one summer session of two weeks for 5000 NIS, the Sakher School was having two such sessions with the same 5000 NIS. What about the other five schools. My impression was that they were to have two such sessions for the kids. Why the discrepancy? Perhaps we were not explicit in what we expected for the 5000 NIS given to these seven schools. We will verify what was done in all seven schools and then make more explicit directions for future summer sessions.
We also visited two of the needy families we support living in the Beit Lahiya section close to the Israeli border. What was encouraging, in addition to the obvious bond between parents and children and among the children themselves, was Sabah’s report that the move to food vouchers which we adopted in the last months in place of food stuffs delivered to the families, was deeply appreciated. Each family can choose from 25 approved items, and this enables them to adapt the help more to their own needs. We hope to continue this program through December, assisting a total of 150 families associated with the three schools we were helping. This program of family assistance comes to 30,000 NIS per month. Sabah thinks it is working quite well.
Our final stop was with the Missionaries of Charity for Mass and a visit with some of their handicapped children. I don't know to what extent we are giving them assistance. In all cases all were delighted with Sister Susan’s imminent return and are looking forward to welcoming her back. Fawzia joined us for some of the visits we made, and we did stop by briefly at one of the womens council groups with whom Sabah is connected.

Video visit 30-06-2008

2008-07-06T09:03:00.000+03:00

Photogallery Visit Gaza 30-06-2008

2008-07-06T08:58:00.000+03:00

Gaza Visit 30-06-08

Visit to Gaza on Thursday, June 5, 2008

2008-06-11T22:24:00.008+03:00

Brother Lorenzo and myself - Brother Joe - met Sabah and Ahmad, the taxi driver, about 9:30AM. Passage through the checkpoint was rather smooth. We went immediately to the Main Center of the Daher Associate in Shijayyia . We help the Zakhar Kindergarten one of the nursery schools they sponsor in Sha’af area. After a discussion with Sabah about the conditions for summer camps and record keeping, Br. Lorenzo gave the principal NIS1,200, the stipulated cost of one summer camp, and promised on return to Bethany to see if funds were available for supporting a second summer camp since they work with over 120 children in the kindergarten, far too many for one camp.
From there we went to the Arab Palestinian Front, Main Center where we met Fawziyya who runs the kindergarten In Beit Hanoun and also participates in the emergency food distribution. It was safer to meet Fawziyya in Gaza City, as well as the fact the since kindergartens have been closed for several weeks, we would not be able to meet any of the children or teachers. It was at this meeting that Br. Lorenzo purchased six handmade rugs to assist financially the women of the society.
Then along with Fawziyya we went to the Association of Women Committees for Social Work to meet Maha and Mohammad to discuss food distribution. Before the discussion, Br. Lorenzo distributed funds for the summer camps administered by Mohammad in the Mosaddar area and Fawziyya in the Beit Hanoun area, as well as giving funds for two other camps that we could not visit this time.
The discussion about the food distribution began with the statement that the funds for June and July and hopefully August would be NIS 23,000 regardless of the exchange rate. This was followed by a discussion concerning a major revision in the methodology. Sabah suggested and the others agreed that since some families do not need all of the food items that we supply in bulk, arrangements be made with food markets that the families come on a certain specified day of the month to choose the food that they need up to the amount of NIS 200 per family.
One of the team, involved with the food distribution, would be present at each market to observe and monitor the distribution. This was accepted by Brother Lorenzo and myself as a good suggestion and we could try it for one month and then analyze the revised system.
With the short time remaining Fawziyya brought us to one of the poor families on her distribution list to take photographs for the donors. I have seen too many poor families and have some reservations about photographs, so I decided to remain outside the home.
There I had a clear view of Ashkelon because of the treeless and building less surroundings. It was easy to see why Beit Lahia is a place for firing rockets on Israel. Needless to say I was rather nervous and prayed that no missiles from Ashkelon were fired while we were there. Incidentally the very next morning, several missiles were fired into Beit Lahia causing several deaths and injuries
That ended our interesting and successful business day. We took Sabah home on our way to Eretz. Exiting took less than an hour and by 2:30 PM we were on our way to Bethany with a sigh of relief. As always I am relieved on getting into the car and moving out of the checkpoint area. I feel like I am going into prison after leaving passport control and walking through the passageways lined with iron pipes to exit the checkpoint building and continuing for several hundred more yards through the old and now dilapidated covered walkway, used before the new facilities were built ,to reach the open air and rocky, uneven sandy ground and chewed up tarmac until finally reaching the taxi area about a twenty minute walk all told, and then at the end of the visit reversing that walk through the more closely controlled passageways, the cage-like body control area before reaching passport control moving though the last locked door before exiting the building to the care.
This is the closes I get to the everyday feelings of the Palestinian people.
I must add one impression about the visit that surprised me but made me so proud of the Gazans. On our way from Shijayya to Gaza City we passed through a thriving market area, bustling with activity with cars and donkey drawn carts blocking the roads, horns blowing, people walking between cars.
Markets of all varieties not just food were busy, people in and out, noise, laughter, peddlers barking and everything that one finds in a bustling city. I mentioned this to Sabah and she said that while the economy is terrible and we are hungry, we must still live and we do the best we can under the circumstances. And a glaring one was that for the past three days electricity has been cancelled for 10 hours and usually during daytime. It was hot, hot that Thursday, A/C is rare, a few fans, no breezes from the nearby sea.

Photogallery Visit Gaza 05-06-2008

2008-06-11T21:41:00.000+03:00

Gaza visit 05-06-2008

Meeting at Bethany, Saturday, May 24, 2008

2008-05-25T13:32:00.000+03:00

Brothers Lorenzo & Andréa, Father Don Moore, Andrea Merli, and Br. Joe

The most important decision made was: both Orla of Tuesday Child and Oliver and Maren contact by e-mail Brother Lorenzo directly, since he is accountant for all funds relating the work in Gaza of the Daughters of Charity Gaza project this year. Copies of these e-mails should be sent to Brother Andrea and Sister Susan. Br. Joe was asked to e-mail Orla and Oliver and Marin as soon as possible and to explain this decision to them. This change will not only simplify matters but in may cases expedite movements.

Two decisions were made to be effective immediately
1. To keep the emergency food program operating for the next three months of June, July and August (if we have funds for August).
The amount spent each month will be fixed at NIS 23,000 equivalent to $7,000.00 at today's rate regardless of the exchange rate.
Br. Joe was requested to ask Orla when Tuesday's' Child will begin to send the monthly checks for food distribution as mentioned in her letter of May 19th.

2. Summer camps will be funded as planned.
Oliver is to be requested to send the funds for 4 camps as usual to the bank as soon as possible and to notify Br. Lorenzo when the funds have been transferred.
This year because of the lower exchange rates and the increased cost of food in Gaza, Oliver will be asked to increase the amount per camp by $200.00, which means that one camp would cost $1,200.00 and the four camps would total $ 4,800,00.
If Oliver has any more funds, we would ask him to increase the number of summer camps.
This summer many organization in Gaza are funding summer camps for as many children as possible but over 8 years. Nothing is being done for kindergarten children so our program is most worthwhile.

Other decisions were made for the coming academic year beginning September or later in the year
1. A major problem mentioned during our visit to Gaza on Wednesday May 13th was that the Kindergarten teachers have not been paid for most of this year 2008 because the children's parents can no longer pay the small amount of fees required by the administrators of the kindergartens.
Therefore we plan to give each teacher in the kindergartens we assist NIS 200 for a trial period of the two months of September and October. This problem was

2. Concerning support for Kindergartens next year, we would like to increase the fund by NIS 100 due to the higher costs of food.
Also we have decided to set a standard amount per kindergarten based on the number of children registered for the academic semester.
This item needs more discussion and input by Sabah. We are considering the amount of NIS 900 for kindergartens with 100 to 140 pupils and NIS1000 for kindergartens over 140 pupils.

Two other topics to be considered at a later date are job creation and teacher training.

At the end of our last meeting in Gaza, the women displayed a number of examples of their embroidery. We were all impressed and wondered how we could help them sell these items to obtain funds to be used in their various projects. Two ideas were mentioned
1. Try to sell them through the internet by adding a website to the Webpage of the Daughters of Charity Project created by Br. Lorenzo,
2. For now bring as may items as possible with us when we return and try to sell them here.

One final suggestion was made by Father Don just before leaving.
Investigate whether the Women's Association would be willing to be our regular meeting place in Gaza now that we no longer connect with CRS.

June 5 is the tentative date of our next visit to Gaza.
Since our trips to Gaza are very supportive to Sabah and others in Gaza, we plan to set a more regular time for our visits, probably monthly and as regularly as possible in the same week of each month. That will be discussed at a later meeting

Brother Joe
May 25, 2008

Video visit 14 may 2008

2008-05-16T13:35:00.000+03:00

Report visit, May 14, 2008

2008-05-15T12:32:00.001+03:00

Father Don Moore, Brother Andres and Brother Joe
We made excellent time in driving to Gaza and arrived at the Eretz crossing at approximately 8:30 AM and by 9:30 AM were in the taxi driving toward Gaza city with Sabah and Ahmad our driver.
Because of the fuel situation, we made only one stop at Zakher School in the Shijaiyya area on the way to our meeting at the Association of Women, Committee for Social Work in Gaza City. I think it important to name some of the participants in the meeting; Maha, Etedal, Maysoon are members of the Women's society while Fawziya, Awatef and Mohammed represented the kindergartens. (I only wrote first names, with difficulty, and didn't even try the family names.)
A most lively and interesting discussion with many excellent ideas and suggestion lasted about one hour and a half.
Toward the end of the meeting, some of the handiwork made by members of the committee was exhibited and needless to say, purchases were made. We all agreed at our next visit to bring more money for further purchases. One suggestion for helping sell these items was to produce a website for internet sales. No promises, but perhaps something practical in this matter will be done.
At the conclusion of the meeting, we made a quick visit to the Mother Teresa Sisters of Charity. Unknown to us, it was their graduation day, but we arrived too late to participate.
We made surprisingly good time on departure, only taking one hour exiting Gaza and the rigmarole of passage to Israel. We left Eretz at 2:30 PM.
The interesting thing about the trip was the quiet and peace in Gaza, no explosions, no overhead noises, no masked men and a fairly good amount of activity in Gaza City especially at the general market. I was surprised at the number of vehicles and when commenting on it it, Sabah said: "Don't you smell it? The cars are operating on cooking oil, petrol is too expensive". What cooking oil does to the motor I don’t' know.

GAZA recent visit Andrea Merli 01-04-2008

2008-04-01T22:40:00.001+03:00

Dear all,
here I come with few updates after my recent visit in Gaza and my meeting with Sabah.
In my view, the situation appeared much calmer than in November, and Sabah's husband confirmed that internal security is better since inter-factional fighting has practically ended. Also, I saw myself that there are plenty of food and groceries in the street markets. So, it seems that there is no immediate food shortage. At the same time, most people are moving on donkey-carts, since fuel is extremely scarce and expensive. The Israeli only allow diesel gasoline to enter Gaza, which is used mostly for powering generators. I saw hundreds of cars lined-up in queue at gas stations, despite empty reserves. Also, in few places some clashes happened between the people and the Hamas police, which apparently was preventing the little gas available to be sold for keeping it for their own needs. There's no way to say if that was true, but the intensity of these confrontations was fairly limited. And that is all unrest I personally witnessed. Electric power still comes and goes, but it is available in most areas untill midnight. Is seems that Egypt is providing additional power to the local capacity.
Now, concerning our project, I discussed with Sabah the idea of starting some little income-generation activities by hiring unemployed people as support staff for the schools, for example as cleaners or gardeners. She said that this kind of help would be much more needed than the food packs. So, she suggested to reduce the number of food packs from 150 to 50, and to give some people the opportunity to work. This is really the most appreciated support, besides contributing to the schools expenses.
Practically, Sabah told me that the average salary for such jobs would be 400 NIS per month. Given that information we should plan at least for a one-year support, that would make 400 x 12 = 4800 NIS per year per worker. Let us say 5000 NIS. Now it is up to us, depending on the budget, to tell Sabah how many people we want to hire for the next year. After we give her an idea, then she will contact the schools, consider their needs and look for the appropriate people together with the teachers. I really think we should move into this kind of activity and reduce the food packs.
Also, I mentioned to Sabah the opportunity to find and support another school, and she said she would think about it. Finally, I gave her 1000 NIS as agreed with Andres in order to cover the expenses for Mother's Day. I have the receipt with me.
That's all for the moment.
All the best!
Andrea

Mission Report Gaza, March 12, 2008

2008-03-14T16:50:00.003+02:00

Brothers Andrea and Lorenzo and I were met by Sabah with taxi around 10.15 at the Gaza side of the checkpoint. We drove to the nursery school in Beit Hanoun and arrived about 10.30. This was one of the areas severely hit by the Israeli incursion of two weeks ago (and an area from which were fired many of the rockets aimed at Israeli towns). School was canceled for a week. The kids and teachers have been back for about a week now. Bishara Hamad, head of the school, welcomed us; school was in session.

We met Dr. Khalad Dahlan, a psychiatrist from the Gaza Community Mental Health Program. He told us how many of the children (and adults) are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS); in his visits to some of the families, the children would cower in the corner of the room, afraid to speak to anyone. For the week that they have been back in class, the teachers have done nothing but play games with them in order to work out some of the stress of these traumatized children. Judging from the squeals of laughter, they seemed to be succeeding, but I did notice some reservation from the kids when we strangers appeared in their class. Dr. Dahlan was explaining the programs they are setting up to help children and their families. There are some 130 children in this school alone. I wish those who turn to violence (Palestinians and Israelis) would realize how easily children are scarred.

Our next stop was at the Sakehr school in the Sudjayha section of the city, one of the poorest areas, according to Sabah. We met with a number of the staff. Classes had ended for the day. This is the school where we have had most trouble getting receipts. The reasons: There are very few "established" stores in this area of Gaza. Often the food purchased for their programs is bought from vendors on the street. They have set up some sort of system to have the vendors sign a receipt. I don't know whether they are always successful, but Lorenzo will inform us. In addition the school makes a list of what is served in its breakfast program, and Sabah checks that list along with what has been purchased. They seem to be making a great effort to be as transparent as possible with the funds distributed to them. We met with a journalist and with a woman from the "Sakher Project", an educational group that gives educational assistance to our school and to a number of others. The head of the project was recently invited to a conference in Dubai. She was refused permission by Israel to leave the Gaza Strip. The space for the school is rented for about $160 per month. (He wants to raise the rent because he sees "foreigners" visiting the school and thinks that more money is easily available!) The Sakehr school has almost no area for play. They have permission to open the door to the backyard, a small area with an orchard. If the children want to use the space for play, it will mean more rent. One of the "outreach" programs of the school is to teach mothers how to prepare healthy meals for their families, although their choices are very limited. About 90% of families in Gaza are dependent on food aid from the UN and other international sources,a humanitarian crisis in itself, but there is still not enough food to go around. Food in markets is scarce and the prices have soared. The school is in need of fresh and brighter painting, but there is no paint to be had in Gaza (just as there are no building supplies to replace demolished homes, very few medical supplies, very little gasoline (almost all the gas stations we saw were closed), little electric power, and the like.

From Sudjayha we visited Fawzi at an organization with which she is associated in central Gaza City. We were warmly greeted; they had just finished an award ceremony for five local women active in the area.

Andrea and Lorenzo were able to pick up some rugs, made by some of the women and requested by Italian visitors whom they are expecting. We heard an appeal from a man who is director of the organization: Please let people know what is going on here; we do not support the violence; we are trying to live in peace; we are normal human beings, NOT the caricature created by the media!

From there we went to the Gaza branch of the Women's Affairs Technical Committee; Sabah does some work for this group. There was a meeting of university students who are trying to get some practical work attached to their study programs so that they may better integrated into society when they graduate.

The Committee has on-going programs for young women in computer training, focus groups on combating family violence and the like. From there we made a brief visit to the Missionaries of Charity with the promise of a longer visit next time for Mass. Then back to Erez. The crossing was relatively smooth, but I noticed they now stamp our passports going and coming -- as one Palestinian friend remarked: "It is like going into a foreign country." Indeed! All we met in Gaza expressed their deep gratitude for the programs run by Daughters of charity. I am sure Andrea will enrich the site with photos and videos.
Don

Visit of March 12, 2008: video and pictures.

2008-03-14T16:44:00.001+02:00

Visit March 12, 2008

Our two Religion teachers in Gaza and their ministry

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Ghada and Maha have been teaching the children of the Christian sector of the Beach Camp in Gaza for at least five years. They are both residence of the camp which consists of 24 families who are mostly Orthodox Christians. Ghada and Maha are both Latin Catholics and so they adopt their lessons to the Orthodox majority among the children. Ghada has studied Theology at Bethlehem University which is run by the Christian Brothers. Therese is an elementary teacher at the parish school and a mother of five children.

Intergrading into the lessons from scripture the two teachers use art work, baking for the preparation for feasts and outings. The parents are asked to participate at the big feasts to involve all the residence of the camp. The Little Sisters of Charles De Foucauld offer their large room for the occasions of the major feasts when the family joins in the fun. The Sisters continue to be very supportive of the activities offered by the two teachers. Fr. Manuel also appreciates the untiring energy given to the children by Ghada and Maha.

Many of the children cannot afford to go to the parish school and therefore go to public school which gives Islamic training and values. It is therefore very important that these 30 or 40 children receive a Catholic/Orthodox education and Christian values to be able to live as a minority people among a large and often aggressive Muslim majority.

We are proud of these two women who work against the odds to keep Christianity alive in the Christian section of Beach Camp, one of the largest refugee camps in Gaza. Monthly we finance their activities and give a small salary to each teacher.
(pictures of activities of february 2008)

Mission Report GAZA, December 14-16, 2007

2008-02-25T08:48:00.001+02:00

December 14, 2007

After a one and a half hour trip by bus from Jerusalem to Ashqelon and a taxi ride to Eretz crossing, we entered Gaza at around 11 am. Our friend taxi driver, Ahmad, was waiting for us inside. He drove us to Sabah’s home, a nice apartment at the 7th floor of a new building in the area of the football field. Both Sabah and her husband are currently employed: she is involved in several projects like ours, while her husband works in trade and distribution of medicines. They have two sons and two daughters, 10-16. At lunch we discussed thoroughly of the situation in Gaza: essential services like hospitals, power, water and fuel are extremely precarious, if not totally absent. High unemployment and tight restrictions on movement make life very harsh at psychological level. The majority of people are indigent. Sabah’s husband says: “We have no idea how all these families may survive without means of support.”
At around 15:30 we reached the school of the Latin Patriarchate. Father Manuel welcomed us in his studio and described to us his initiatives to teach and promote God’s word in his community: catechism, games, domino, readings… very interesting. And he’s really an expert with computers. Then, we joined some 50 people for mass. Father Manuel’s health is not sound, but when he started preaching he was like enlightened. After mass we moved by van to the church in the old city, where we found two bedrooms set. Then, after celebrating the evening prayers, we had dinner at light candle since there was no electric power.

December 15, 2007

We spent the whole morning at our schools, engaged in distributing food on behalf of our organization. The new school is called Shaaf, and it is located in the quarter of Sujaya. Since December 2007 it has officially become one of the three kindergartens which we support by providing breakfast to the children. That was the first place we visited. The teachers had bought the necessary equipment for making breakfast using a 500 NIS donation by an old lady from Mantova, Italy. We also tasted spaghetti with sugar and honey! But this school appears very bleak in all its aspects, including classrooms, furniture and materials. The next step of our support will be addressed towards the teachers themselves: together with Sabah, they will go to visit other schools so as to learn how to improve their activities, choose didactic materials and arrange the classrooms… In other words, they will get ideas on how developing some necessary updates!
Afterwards we witnessed some phases in the activity of food distribution, where we channel some 4500 Euro every month. There is a supermarket which prepares large bags with food items chosen by Sabah’s organization, depending on prices and stocks. This month they have prepared 100 bags worth 100 NIS, and 100 bags worth 200 NIS for large families. All in all, this activity supports 200 families. Once filled, the black bags are carried to a warehouse which we visited personally. There, we also inspected some bags which included rice, tea, sugar, sauces, tuna, cheese, soap, oil, cakes… The owner of the supermarket is also responsible for the delivery of bags: 100 go to Beit Hanoun, one of the poorest areas in the north of the Strip, and get distributed in a school which we used to support in the past. An extraordinary lady works there: Tawzia. Another 50 bags are delivered by the Women’s Association to poor families in Gaza City, who collect them directly at the warehouse, but we did not check on that. The remaining 50 bags are distributed by a very nice man, Mohammed, who is the director of the society for rural development al-Musadder, in the center of the Strip. His attitude is extremely warm and welcoming.
So, we had the opportunity to get a good idea of the whole food distribution. Still, there are some aspects we should further clarify, like the food distribution in the warehouse, the choice of the supplier, the shopping list, the role of the Women’s association. 200 bags seems to be many, but they are just a drop in the ocean. The people there - the women of Gaza city, Tawzia and Mohammed, whom Sr. Susan is very familiar with - directly know the families in need and carry out an excellent job. Indeed, being there for an extended time allowed us to live a great experience and to gain knowledge on the whole process.
After many meetings - and teas, and coffees, and light meals… - Sabah took us to meet a Christian lady, Ghada, who offered us another lunch! Ghada and another lady receive from us some 100 Euro per month in order to carry out after school activities at the place of the Sisters of Charles de Foucault. Activities, materials and light breakfasts are all managed with these 100 Euro. Sr. Susan knew very well these ladies, and she totally trusted them. They will soon send us a more detailed report on their activities. Together with them, at around 4 pm we returned to Fr. Manuel’s school, and afterwards back to our rooms, this time with the power on! The city is dangerous. They told us it is safer not to hang around in the evening, and not to accept car rides from anyone… The highest caution is necessary.

by Br. Andres Bergamini, translated by Andrea Merli

Visit of December 14-16, 2007: video and pictures.

2008-02-25T08:43:00.006+02:00

Food distribution in Gaza 12'

Breakfast in the kindergartens of Gaza 6'

Photogallery

Visit of December 14-16, 2007

Video and pictures, December 3, 2007

2007-12-09T18:57:00.000+02:00

GAZA VISIT, December 3, 2007

2007-12-09T18:08:00.000+02:00

Andrea, Renzo and Sr. Susan went, yet Sr. Susan couldn’t get in. Sabah met the
two Brothers at the boarder. They began with a visit to Bet Hanoun school. With the prices of food skyrocking this last month the teachers could buy much less food with the amount of money which we gave them for the breakfasts. By example the prices of fruite is more than double than then the prices in Jerusalem. Before the prices in Jerusalem were much lower for fruit. We were present when the children received a banana each. They even waited for us to distribute them.

The price of gas has gone up so many children cannot be transported to school now. They asked for help to pay for the transport for this school only. Now the families pay 25 IS monthly for the transport and there are 40 children who need transport. Most of the parents cannot pay any of the cost. Can we contribute monthly 1,000 IS to cover this cost?

We went to the new school in the Shaaf neighborhood of 30,000 residence of Gaza city. Sabah explained to the directress and her staff, our system of collaboration. Especially how she is to use the 900 IS which we give them for the breakfast program. We will start to give them money for breakfast food in December. This school has almost nothing and the first need is dishes and silverware. For this we need to give them IS500 and for the pans and the hot plate they will need IS300.

Sabah insists that now in this difficult time it is very important that the children come to school to get their breakfast as there is no food for them at.

We continued on to Mussadar school. Mohamad still asks for an addition on their building to provide many more services to the school and to the local community. Sabah is looking to help find a benefactor for this.

We met Grada and Maha at the Missionaries of Charity and we paid the money for the last three months which we hadn’t had a chance to do before.

Sabah propose that each school signs a document created by the team giving the information essential for each school and declares the type of collaboration which exists between each school and our team. It should be dated from September until the end of May.

To be present for a distribution of the food in one school we will try to be there on December 15 th. And we will stay for three days, 14, 15, and 16. Sunday will be the day that Msgr. Sabbah will come to celebrate the feast of Christmas with the parish.

Bank Leumi Le-Israel filiale 915
(Kiriat Yovel) IL010915
n° di conto 915-13074/01
codice SWIFT: LUMIILIT XXX

VIDEO OF VISIT 1-11- 2007

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A VISIT TO GAZA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2007

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About 7AM, Brothers Lorenzo Ravisini and Andres Bergamini, recruited by Sister Susan as one of her last acts before her transfer to the Lebanon as part of the team of the Daughters of Charity Gaza Project (DOCGP), Andrea Mereli, of the Bethlehem University staff, and me began our journey to Gaza. This was my first visit since mid December 2006. Since then, I used all sorts of excuses not to go there because frankly I was afraid. Father Dom Moore, SJ, was my chief excuse, because with him here for the Spring semester I knew that Sister Susan would not have to go alone.
We made good time and arrived at Eretz Checkpoint by 8:30 AM. We proceeded to passport control where we had hardly presented our passports when we were ordered to go quickly to the 'protected’ room. (I knew then why I had not gone to Gaza in ten months). After 20 minutes or so, we were ordered to return to passport control to continue the process of getting into Gaza. Shortly after two of us had our passports stamped, 'Exit’, I received a mobile phone call from our faithful colleague, Sabah Saraj, to tell us that there was fighting in the nearby village of Beit Hanoun, which I knew as soon as we were connected because I could hear machine gun fire.. Undaunted, we braved the situation and agreed to continue rather than turning right around and going back to Bethlehem. Did we make a mistake? On reaching the outside, we were greeted by 3 Apache helicopters hovering overhead, with their noses pointed at Beit Hanoun and occasionally shooting rockets; we could hear the shwiiiiish and shortly after the boooooom. Sabah greeted us with all smiles and said: “Don't worry it is peaceful and quiet in Gaza City. This happens daily and we are used to it.” Not having the faith of Sister Susan, who would say: “This is God's work and He will protect us',” I kept saying that to myself all the time we were in in Gaza. However, being neophytes to such warfare, we decided to curtail our stay and visit only the two schools we wanted to see, Zakher Kindergarten in Shijyyia area of Gaza City and the Baram El Amal near Bureij Refugee Camp in the middle of the strip. It was impossible to visit Amjad Kindergarten in Beit Hanoun; we weren’t crazy enough to go there even though the shooting seemed to have ended.
The main purpose of this report is to comment on our visit to the two schools. First, we went to the closer school in Shijayya and on the way to the school, I observed the narrow, dirt and rutted roads, the poor condition of the houses and shops along the way and the obvious poverty of the area. Because of the economic situation, most of the families lost their resources and depend upon donations and food assistance from Social Services.. The school is in an old rented building rather dark, with 4 small overcrowded classrooms, two bathrooms and a hall, serving 123 children, ages 3,4,5. There are 120 chairs half of which are very old, a few old tables, no shelves, no desks, no toys, no dishes, no cups, no refrigerator. There are four teachers and two volunteers, mostly unemployed university graduates, some from that area. It is a marvel that these women can teach so many children in one classroom under such circumstances. We had a brief discussion with the manager of the Zakher Women’s Association, responsible for this kindergarten and two others, the principal of the school. It is obvious that the school is in need of help and this will be one of our main topics at our meeting next week.
We then traveled several miles into the middle of the Strip to visit Baram El Amal kindergarten in Bureij camp. As we rode through the camp, I could see that there were a fair number of cars, some trucks, but many donkey drawn carts—gas is very expensive when available—many people in the streets, some just sitting an chatting, some stores doing business, others closed, school children and adults moving to and fro, so all seemed rather normal. As we drove by the people shouted greetings and welcomed us. To me, it was encouraging to see that the people, in spite of the difficulties, seem to be managing, at least externally.. After listening to Sabah and Awatif, head of the Bud Flower Association, which is responsible for Baram El Amal school, I realized that people are hungry and that there are some abuses beginning to occur in the families.. I was impressed with the improvement over the months in the school.. My last recollection of it was that of the destruction caused by shootings, bombings and destruction of the land by the Israeli forces, which destroyed the school yard and fence protecting the children, most of the windows without glass, and other internal damage. Everything now is in very good condition, glass in all the windows, the walls painted a bright blue, posters in corridors , the classroom displaying educational charts and pictures, and just a resurrection. Much credit it due to the women and members of the association of their efforts in repairing and modernizing the school facilities.After a falafel sandwich, about 12:15 PM, we headed back to the checkpoint via the shore road to see the Mediterranean and the sandy coast of Gaza, (what a resort it would make if the situation were different!) , We arrived about 1:30 PM, earlier than original planned and after fifteen minutes or so were permitted to go to the checkpoint building. When leaving Gaza, the passports are collected at a place several hundred yards before the checkpoint, where the passports are collected and the names and numbers relayed to the Israeli personnel, who eventually give permission to approach. When we reached the building, we waited and waited and waited until one and a half hours later the doors automatically opened and we were allowed to enter the luggage, personal and passport controls area. Of course, no reason, excuse, or apologies were given. However, much to my surprise, I found the order and system of this new procedure more efficient than the old way. We completed the check-in about half an hour. If only we didn’t have to wait so long before they allowed us to enter. Again our passports were stamped, with ‘entry’ this time. We left Eretz about 4:25 PM and the closer we got to Jerusalem the more traffic we met. Having dropped the Brothers off at New Gate and Andrea Merli at Herod’s Gate. I arrive back in the community house about 6:20 PM, almost 12 hours since leaving earlier that morning.
Bro. Joe.
November 2, 2007

Visit of 21 August 2007

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This was a particularly hard visit for me as it was my last, especially saying good-by to Sabah. Br. Lorenzo and Andrew a volunteer here in Bethany went with me. Br. Lorenzo, like his companion Br. Andrea who went to Gaza with us earlier in the month are both interested in going with our team regularly to Gaza.
We visited the le Amad School and saw all the teachers who had just finished the summer camp the day before. Following we went to the Mussadar School and saw the summer camp in full swing. After we went to the village near to the Awatif’s school in Maraze. They have one day left of summer camp. In all three schools we admired the crafts done by the children and saw some dance the Dubky.
When near the Mussadar School we visited some particularly poor families who receive our cartons of food. We were able to leave them some used clothing.
Everywhere we went we listened to their stories telling how bad the situation is getting. Sabah and Maha said it we could provide a uniform, school supplies and books for one child in each family of eight, it would be wonderful. We were able to give her donations given us for five children only. Each child would need about IS 100 for these needed items.
Before leaving we visited the Missionaries of Charity. All but one was present. It was a nice visit.

Sr Susan

Visit 21 Agust 2007