WINTER 2011
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Dear Friends,

Christmas is just behind us now, but still the atmosphere at Al-Shurooq School is full of festivity. This Christmas has been one of the most exciting Christmases our children have ever had. Starting with the usual YMCA Christmas party which was extremely well organised, the gifts the children received were excellent, when each child received a keyboard, a mouth organ and sweets. Hammoudeh, the boy with severe learning difficulties, sang the famous Christmas carol "Gloria" while Noor and Lara accompanied him on the guitar. The three children received a great applause from the public. This event took place on December the 18th and two days later, for the first time, the children were invited to the Christmas party, which is held annually by the Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation. Again, they received gifts and sweets and enjoyed the party. The following day, and most unexpectedly, three Palestinian girls studying dentistry at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, visited the children in the afternoon, entertained them and delivered a packet of various goodies to each child. With such a busy agenda, we postponed the School's Christmas party until January 3rd. Children will go home for the end of first term break; from the 5th to the 15th of January, while the Christian staff that follow the Orthodox Church will be able to have their Christmas holiday.

 

A night to remember

With these words, the children and their parents left the hotel on the night of December 2^nd. A party was organized by the school at the Shepherd Hotel in Bethlehem with the support of the folkdance group Asayel from Deir El-Asad, north of Palestine 1948. The group visited the school in October and decided to hold a performance in aid of Al-Shurooq School. Forty group members performed tirelessly for three hours entertaining the children, their families, distinguished guests and friends of the school.

The highlight of the party was when the group got our children and their parents to join in singing and dancing.

The next day, the group was invited to spend the day with the children at the school. The group was kind enough to bring shoes and clothing for all children and some electrical appliances for the school. We are very thankful for Asayel for making it a night to remember !!

Children and parents dancing

A unique visit

It was a great honour and privilege for the children and staff of Al-Shurooq School to welcome the Moderator of the Church of Scotland the Rev. and Mrs. David Arnott accompanied by the Revd. and Mrs. Ian Alexander and the Minister of St. Andrew's in Jerusalem, the Revd Mr. and Mrs. George Shand. Although it was a very brief visit, due to the Moderator's extremely busy schedule, yet it was a great opportunity to discuss and exchange information as we sat around the table for a simple Christmas Eve lunch.

Rev. Arnott was the first Moderator to visit Al-Shurooq School whilst in office.

Rev. and Mrs. David Arnott with Helen and Doris

Olive Harvest

October marks the season for harvesting olives. The olive harvest is traditionally a joyful and celebrated time of the year. Our children are no different. They eagerly wait for that time every year, when the competition becomes so high! Each wants to be the first to fill his container with the beautiful fruit either from the tree or from the fallen fruit on the ground, carefully making sure they do not press the olives under their feet.

We, Palestinian people, have always considered the olive tree as both an indispensable element of our livelihood and a symbolic token of peace and prosperity. Hoping it stays that way…

The Day of the Disabled

This year, the Palestinian Ministry of Education focused a lot of effort on celebrating the Day of the Disabled, by concentrating on the achievements of people with disabilities at schools in particular. Four of our children who are in mainstream education received awards for singings so well. Dunia and Aseel, who are in different schools in Hebron, Tasneem in a school in Al-Khader, near Bethlehem and Lara at her school in Beit Jala. Of course, this made us feel very proud of our children, who are quite confident and very content.

YMCA Christmas Party

Christmas Cards

We were both surprised and excited to receive well over a hundred Christmas cards from the various Scottish Churches, Sunday Schools and friends. Quite a number of them were beautifully done, and could be easily felt by our blind children. Opening them all was most exciting, thank you so much friends for thinking about us at this Christmas time. Your cards, are hanging on the walls of our dining room and in the General Secretary's office.

As we look back on the year 2011, we only see miseries, tragedies, Natural catastrophes, killing and hatred. One wonders why is all this? Why can't we enjoy the many blessings the Lord has given us, and just be thankful. I wonder when all this will end. Just let's pray and hope that the year 2012 will put an end to all the troubles everywhere. Despite of it all, we can only wish all our friends wherever they may be, a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Thank you for your love and support.

P.S. There is a possibility of a visit to Scotland in May to attend the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, by the General Secretary of the Society, Miss Helena Shehadeh.

 

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