Al-Shurooq Newsletter

WINTER 2004

Dear friends,

It is astounding indeed, how quickly the years roll away; it seems as if it was yesterday that we celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We ought to give thanks to God almighty for His many blessings, and for keeping us safe and sound. The year 2004 has been quite eventful, with good and often not so good events. The political struggle still continues, and the suffering of the Palestinian people worsens. The restrictions imposed on our movement became more complicated and difficult. A year ago, I was able to obtain a permit, valid for four months, to enter Jerusalem and Israel. It used to be automatically renewed, without even the need of going to the coordination office myself. During this last year, I was given a one-month permit and every time I applied for a new one, I encountered unexplained obstacles. I had to wait two or three months at a time without a permit, which prevented me from attending Sunday services in my Church, St. Andrew's Jerusalem. This, to me had been terribly frustrating and depressing. Let alone, the expense, the long waits at the coordination office, either in the bitter cold or the scorching heat, and of course the time wasting.
This is what I mean by struggle, yet we are certainly much better off than many, particularly those searching for a living.

Looking on the bright side, all throughout the year, we have been extremely blessed with the love, care, dedication and support of our many friends, especially those abroad. It is only through their help that our blind children are able to get a good education and skills that increase their chances for an independent life with equal opportunity.

Olive Picking Season

October is the month for olive picking. It's a wonderful feeling to be able to pick your own olives in your own land. This time last year, we could not dream of having our own trees. The children were excited to have four days off school to pick olives in their new plot of land. They enjoyed the daily picnicking and wished to go there every day. As a matter-of-fact, they can hardly wait for their new school to be built. The present building has become very depressing; the huge building being erected in front of us is already three stories up and a fourth is on its way. We hardly get any sunshine in and no longer feel the privacy or the security.

Helen and the children picking olives in our newly purchased land

Library and Book Production

During the year 2004, one hundred new books were transcribed into Braille, and one thousand copies were issued. 22 Perkins Braillers were given out on loan.

Christmas joy

Currently, the place is overwhelmed with excitement. Lots of fun, many gifts and wonderful parties. The first party was arranged with the children of the Jerusalem American School. Each of our children received a gift from one of theirs. A toy or a game they had asked for themselves through letters exchanged, which gave the event a more personal touch. This took place on December 11th, in a large room at Bethlehem University, to allow more space for games and fun.

The 19^th was the annual Christmas party at the YMCA-Jerusalem. That required a great deal of preparation. Names of staff and children had to be sent to the Israeli coordination office for approval three weeks in advance, to make sure permits for entering Jerusalem were issued in time. Nevertheless, this did not hinder the children from thoroughly enjoying themselves, despite the one-hour delay at the checkpoint, and the soldier getting on the bus with his rifle for inspection. For a moment, we became terribly apprehensive, when one of our totally blind six-year-old girls 'Hayat', curious to find out what was standing next to her, started exploring his rifle. The teacher next to her quickly took her hands off and the soldier was not very amused!

For the School's Christmas dinner and in order to keep the contact, we invited as many as can come of children and adults who had been at the school at one stage and are at present, either in our mainstream programme or at university. Also to make things more cheerful and pleasant, we invited a few friends.
Togerther with his son, Santa paid the children a visit carrying a large bag on his back filled with presents and sweets. We all sang Christmas carols, everyone joined in and the children were content and satisfied.

We received a kind gesture from friends of the school in England this Christmas. Instead of buying the grandchildren toys they don't need, the grandchildren decided to send us the money to buy our children something they will all enjoy. We thought a slide in the little corner left of what once was our playground, would be wonderful. God bless you Matthew, Eilidh and Shonagh. We are also grateful to all of you out there, who thought and prayed for us and for our children this Christmas. May the Lord bring REAL peace to all.

Santa and son delivering presents to the children

Blind Children for Peace

At the end of November, we were delighted to receive the European Blind Union's delegation from France and Italy. The delegation consisted of Mr. Chazal (President of Valentin Haüy Association for the Blind in Paris) accompanied by his daughter Claire, both were our hosts in Paris, Mr. Cattani (President of the Liaison Commission with the European Union at EBU), Mr. Goncalves (Director of the French Federation of the Blind and Visually Impaired) and Mrs. Toros (Coordinator of the project "Partnership for Peace). In addition to visiting the holy places in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, the delegation joined the "Blind Children for Peace" group at St. Andrew's Scottish Guesthouse in Jerusalem for two days. The sixteen children and their teachers spend two days visiting sites in Jerusalem and interacting on a personal basis through games and two organized workshops on friendship and drama. It ought to be mentioned that the stay and the project altogether would not have been possible without the financial support of the European Union.

When in the West Bank, Mr. Cattani wished to meet with Palestinian officials in Ramallah. We had arranged for him to meet Mr. Yasser Abd Rabbo, a former Minister of Culture and Information, and also the architect of the Geneva Initiative together with Mr. Yosi Beilin, a former Israeli Minister of Justice. The declaration: "NO, to bloodshed. NO, to occupation. YES, to negotiations. YES, to peace" was widely accepted by people on both sides. Later we went with Mr. Cattani to the Muqata to pay tribute and put some flowers on the grave of our late president Arafat.

Finally, may I wish you all a blissful New Year, full of joy, peace, love and good health.

The 3-story building in front of Al-Shurooq blocking everything