News Letter - Autumn 2002

AUTUMN 2002

Dear Friends,
It seems quite a while since we sent out the latest issue of our spring newsletter. We were so delayed in getting it out because of the continuous curfews and invasions of Beit Jala, that it was too late to send out a summer issue.
The Israeli forces invaded the Bethlehem area for the fourth time within the year on June the 20th, and for two whole months a curfew was imposed on most days. Yet despite the turmoil and many inconveniences, we were able to send our children home safely, for their eight weeks summer holiday.
In the meantime, all members of staff had to work extremely hard as we moved the offices and library from the 4th floor down to the 2nd, and the children's dormitories from the 2nd to the 4th. All this change had to be done while the children were away.
In view of the many hardships one encounters while travelling from one place to another, even in the same district, we were quite apprehensive as to whether or not our children will be able to return to school in the new term. Much to our surprise, the new applications we had were more than what we could take.
One boy we had to turn down as he did not fit into our programme, and three younger children are on the waiting list for next year.

Al-Shurooq School
As we started the new school term on August 24th, five new children have been admitted into our programme. The two older girls, Aseel who is eight and Wardeh who is seven, were transferred from two different local schools. They had difficulties attending regular classes due to their progressive visual impairment.
The three four-year-olds are, Ahmad Abu Al-Jidian who comes from Gaza City, Ahmad Fararjeh from Dawha, a town near Beit Jala, and Hayyat Hasasneh from Tarqomia, a village near Hebron.
We have twenty-four children this year, the largest number we have ever had since the beginning of our programme in 1995. Four out of the twenty-four are day students as they live in the vicinity.


Ahmad	Ahmad	Wardeh	Hayyat	Assel

Mainstreaming
Ehsan, who is eleven (11) and had been with us for quite some time, is now fully integrated into a regular school near her home, which is located in a village near Ramallah. As anticipated, she had no difficulties integrating in the new school, particularly as she was already integrated in a regular school in Beit Jala a year ago.
We called her new headmistress yesterday. She fully assured us that Ehsan had no problems adjusting to the new environment and that she was an outstanding student. Of course, that pleased us a great deal but we miss her immensely.
During the summer holidays, our social worker managed to visit each one of our children in his or her own home at least once, and again because of the curfews and invasions we could hardly do anything more for them, not even the Summer School Camp.
Our mainstreamed children felt the great loss, particularly as they look forward to this event year after year.

Blind Women's Committee

Unfortunately, this summer we were unable to run a summer course in English Language and computer training for blind women for the same reasons mentioned above.
However, we kept in touch over the phone, as getting together was almost impossible.

Recreation
During the second week of the new term, on a hot September day, we took the children to a lovely water park in Beit Jala. They enjoyed rubbing in the protecting lotion, loved the water activities and enjoyed splashing each other tremendously.
As we were unable to take the children to the Biblical zoo in Jerusalem, we took them to a farm in Beit Jala instead. They played with the domestic animals, but especially enjoyed stroking the peacock.

A lovely swim to cool the September heat

The children stroking the adorable peacock

Braille Book Production and Library
In the last four months, we have had a few changes and some difficulties in our book production unit. Naila, who had been in charge of the Library and Braille Book Production Unit for the last eight years, left us for a job nearer her home. Sameera, who used to help Naila with the books, took over and she is doing a good job.
Then for some unknown reason, our huge Braille Printer, the main pillar of our work, played us up for two whole months. Nevertheless during the last period, we managed to produce 69 new titles, made 40 copies, gave out 770 volumes and 25 Perkins Braillers on loan.
We have been working under extremely difficult conditions, with a lot of pressure and much stress. Yet at the same time, we have a goal to achieve and cannot really complain, for the Lord has protected us from every harm and has supplied all our needs.
We ask God to fill us with His love and show us how to serve our neighbours, including these innocent needy children.

God bless you all and thank you for your support.