Dear friends

SPRING 2002

Dear friends,
Despite of all the horrors and atrocities we have been experiencing for the last eighteen months, we have decided to begin this issue of our newsletter by quoting from a letter we received from a dear couple, who have been longstanding, dedicated friends of ours for many years. We found the words quite soothing and consoling, reassuring of God's love, and this is exactly what we need nowadays.
    "Where there is suffering, there are those who try to heal
    Where there is a loss of a loved one, there are those who try to bring comfort
    Where there is hunger, there are those who try to feed the hungry
    Where there is injustice, there are those who labour for the truth
    For in all these things, love is there.
    God who is love, is there."
Very true and touching are these words under the prevailing circumstances. Inevitably, we were under a great deal of pressure during the last Israeli incursion of Beit Jala, and the many inconveniences we encountered. We had a real lack of food, lack of water, power cuts, and for the whole twelve days our telephone lines were cut off. This had caused a great deal of anxiety to the families of our children; who heard the frightful news, but were unable to make sure their children were safe. We were all well protected and our premises unharmed through the mercy and love of God.

Outreach
As you can imagine, this aspect of our work remains limited until the nightmare of checkpoints and unsafe travel ceases. It is with great effort and tremendous expense that one is able to travel in Palestine, not to mention the dangers encountered on the way.
However, we are in constant touch with our mainstreamed children; they are all doing well and their needs supplied.

The children making Easter baskets and colouring eggs

Al-Shurooq School for the Blind
Indeed, we are grateful to God almighty, and to our dedicated friends that we are still able to continue with the education and care for these unprivileged blind children. They would otherwise remain home without an education, ignored and frustrated.

Abed el-Fattah, a new addition to the family of Al-Shurooq
Last month, we admitted into our school an eight-year-old boy, who is both physically and visually handicapped. No other school would accept him. Presumably because he is thoroughly spoiled by his mother, he was almost unmanageable. A lot of hard work was put in to help him get rid of some of his bad habits. He has already improved a great deal, and the difference is quite apparent. Abed el-Fattah comes from a village near Hebron; he has six sisters and three brothers. His father is a teacher. The parents are delighted and grateful that their son has finally settled down happily.

Abdel El-Fattah

Music lessons
We are glad to let you know that finally we found a music teacher for our children. He is from Germany and lives in Bethlehem. He comes to the school once a week for two hours, with the hope of making a small band. Haneen and Hiam are taught privately, as a very good friend of ours sponsors their music lessons.
All children and teacher are having great fun and are thoroughly enjoying their music.

Having fun with Johannes at a lovely lesson in music

Intisar, Haneen and Ehsan singing at the contest.

A school talent contest at the Peace Centre in Bethlehem
Two months ago the school participated, along with fourteen other schools in the Bethlehem district, in a talent contest organized by the Swedish Consulate in Jerusalem and held at the Peace Centre in Bethlehem. The children, aged eight to ten, participated in either piano playing, acting or singing. On our part, Intisar, Haneen and Ehsan sang a beautiful song about Jerusalem. Some children were better than others, but our girls were the best!
They won first prize.

Library and Braille book production unit
All throughout the Israeli incursion of Beit-Jala, which lasted a fortnight, some members of staff were unable to get to work. This rather hindered our work. Nevertheless, we were able to produce 35 new titles, make 120 copies, and give out 297 books on loan.

Until our next newsletter, we all wish you the very best and God bless.