The Latest From Gaza

Posted: February 10, 2009 from Bill Corcoran, ANERA's President (visiting Gaza)

It was another intense day in Gaza. I was most struck by my visits to two preschools in the northern region. One school had the misfortune of being next door to a police station which was the target of bombing last month. Three out of the six rooms in the school were damaged to the point of being unusable.  They also have no running water. ANERA will be supplying the school with water tanks to hold them over until they can repair and rebuild.

At the other preschool, I learned that all 35 children either lost a home or a parent in the fighting. It is noticeable that the children have been traumatized. There is no spontaneity, no laughing, and some children are quick to tears. Many come to school without shoes and without backpacks. The ANERA staff pulled together and made a collection to buy the children new backpacks. They had to go to a lot of different stores, because supplies are so low all over Gaza, but they were able to get all the children new bags and I was there to see the children joyfully receive them. Read more about these preschools >>

 

Posted: February 9, 2009 from Bill Corcoran, ANERA's President (visiting Gaza)

Just a quick note after a long day.

Whole areas of Gaza are leveled to the ground – it reminds me of the first images after the Tsunami in Banda Aceh. There are many displaced people living in tent villages, long lines for food handouts, and makeshift clinics throughout Gaza. Some families, for fear of losing their homes and having nowhere to go, are living in the exposed first floor of their homes that have been bombed.

The American International School - a model educational institution before the fighting - has been totally destroyed. Buses, the football field, the entire school is gone. One of our staff member's daughters now has no school to attend.

Went to Shifa Hospital, where I met three children who suffer from the deadly Gaucher’s disease. They rely on ANERA’s regular, donated shipments of Cerezyme. We were able to get in a shipment just 10 days ago, and the parents expressed to me their deep appreciation for the medicine.

Let everyone know I have been able to hand out copies of "Marhaba ya hilween" – this little booklet really means a lot to staff and partners here. Some who received it were in tears over the sentiments expressed.

In the early afternoon I visited Al Quds Hospital, once a modern facility in the center of Gaza City. 60% of the building is gone – 7 floors were destroyed. This is because the hospital is in the midst of governmental buildings that were the targets of air raids. I don’t know how that facility will ever recover from the damage.

Beit Hanoun was shelled a few hours after I visited there today. The sense of unease remains, but our staff here continue to work extra hard, as there is so much to do.

 

Posted: February 4, 2009 from Rania Elhilou, ANERA's Public Relations Officer in Gaza

People keep asking me for more details about my baby, so here you go: She was delivered in a hospital and everybody keeps thanking God that she came after the war - on January 29, to be exact. She weighs 3 and half kilos. I am safely with my husband at his family's house. The reason I gave her the unusual name "Joudy" is because she came in a time of calm and I want for her a peaceful future. Her name for me is the symbol of peace for all Gazan children whose childhood lies among the dust and the debris. I have finally sent pictures...

 

 

 

Posted: February 2, 2009 from Rania Elhilou, ANERA's Public Relations Officer in Gaza

Ten days after the war I opened my eyes to my first child. Hopefuly she is ushering in a time of calm. I named her "Joudy". When you sail on the sea for a long time looking for a peaceful land, that solid place you finally come to is known as "Joudy" in Arabic.

My labor was so tough and painful but finally I become a mom to a beautiful Gazan child who needs to live in love and peace. I'll send pictures soon.

 

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From the Archives: ANERA updates from Gaza in the spring of 2008 >>>