Tuesday’s Child Blog

Tuesday’s Child Returns to Gaza – Day 13

Saturday 18th July 2009

Today starts at 10 a.m. at the food distribution in Jabalyia, for families in the feeding programme from Jabalyia town and Jabalyia refugee camp. The system is the same in each area, families enrolled in the programme bring their food coupon to the shop and can choose what they want up to 200 shekels. The store owners usually apply 10 percent overage allowance. Each family has a unique identifier number and most also bring that with them.

Main mode of transport in Jabalyia

I am here to see how the programme is going and to meet and talk to some of the families and the children. When I visited in August 2008, to the distribution centre in the Middle area, the families I met were very happy with the system. My main concerns are, how the war has affected the quantity of food to each family, as internal food prices have increased. Earlier in the week, I visited the food store in Gaza city.

I recognise a few of the faces here this morning doing their food shopping from the families I visited in the area last week. Many others, this is my first time to meet them and I look forward to hearing their views and how the programme is working for them.

The first lady I meet this morning is Mrs El Masry, 42 yrs old who lives in Beit Hanoun. I ask her to tell me a little bit about herself. She has 14 children, the eldest girl is disabled and her husband is ill with a heart condition. They have been part of the food programme since the beginning. The family are all still living in their home, but it is badly damaged and the roof was blown off in the war, but they have no materials to fix it and would need money to get materials if they become available. The food helps a little, but having such a large family, it does not last long, only for a week and so it’s not nearly enough. However, as they are refugees they also get food from the UNRWA programme so between the two supplies, she can manage, with the help also of neighbours and family. I ask how much money it would take to feed her family comfortably per month; she says 600 shekels. We arrange to give her cash assistance for the months ahead.

The next lady I meet is Sharifa, whom we met last week and also bought a washing machine for – she is still smiling. She is delighted with the food programme, she has 1 children and the food lasts for 10 -14 days. It would be impossible for her family to survive without it. We have already given cash assistance to Sharifa. She is choosing a little extra for her family this month.

As the families come in, Sabah ticks them off the list. Later when they choose all their food and have it totalled at the till, an adult representative of the family must sign for the food. The system is very well organised. Sabah is a qualified accountant and her systems are very organised. Families also have the option of cleaning materials as well as food.

Sharifa,proud owner of her first washing machine, still smiling!

Sabah in the supermarket

Sabah checking families with coupons against the monthly list

Monthly list of family names for this area, the 2^nd column lists numbers of children in each home

Families collect their groceries and the value is totalled at the till

The next couple we meet are Mr and Mrs Thani Abu Hanbeed. They have 9 children and also live in Beit Hanoun. They are relatively new to the programme, joining it just after the war. I ask Mrs Abu Hanbeed how she finds the programme. “This coupon is very important for us and especially for my children. It makes a big difference to us as it covers the basic things. Sometimes, very occasionally, I get them some treats. Generally, the food lasts us for about 10 days”. I ask how they manage on other days. “Some days we just have tomatoes and potatoes. Some days we have bread in black tea, sometimes we have nothing. Sometimes, family and neighbours help us too. It is very difficult, there is no work here. But really, this food coupon has made a difference to us, thank you so much”. I ask what other urgent needs they have at the moment apart from food and water. “Our house was badly damaged and we need money and materials to fix it. We have cleaned it up but the damage is still the same as it was from the war and I worry for when the winter and cold weather will come. We also need money for the children going back to school, for school materials and also for clothes”.

Mr and Mrs Thani Abu Hanbeed selecting groceries

Selection of one family

The next lady I stop to speak to is Shafeka Mohammed Abo Joba. She tells me a little bit about her family. “I have 6 children and they have benefited from the food programme from the beginning. It is wonderful and has made such a difference to us. The food lasts us for about 10 days. My husband had a heart attack after the war, he is not well since. Our roof fell down, we live in old Jablayia town and all of the house is very badly damaged. It was terrible, the worst attack yet, for many years, but at least we are all alive. Many of my neighbours have lost loved ones. I am very lucky that we are all safe”. I ask her to tell me what she has chosen for her family this morning and she says: “rice, cheese, eggs, pasta, sugar, tuna, tea and juice so far” and she shows me where she is collecting her food. No shopping baskets or trolleys in Gaza! I ask what her other needs are currently, “monies for the my husband for the hospital and also for me to go to the dentist. And school materials and chothes for the children”. I thank her for taking time to talk to me. “Please continue the programme, don’t stop it, we couldn’t manage if you stopped it”. I assure her that we have no intention of stopping it, God willing, that we are just here to see how it is going and she gives thanks to God. They are a very devout people, they mention God and give thanks, constantly.

Shafeika Mohammed Abo Joba at Jabalyia food distribution

I notice as I walk around the small store, that while there are refrigerated items such as butter and cheese, there is no milk and also no fresh meat, only tinned meat and tinned fish. There is no refrigerated transport so not possible to get fresh goods like these through the border or indeed through the tunnels. The lack of fresh meat and produce generally would in part explain the high incidence of anaemia. I also note that, so far, none of the families have bought any fruit or vegetables. I ask about things like chicken. It is possible, I am told, to buy a chicken, but you buy it live and take it home in a cage and it is expensive.

Mrs Abo Joba with a tray of eggs

Mrs Abo Joba shows her food choices so far today

The next lady I stop to speak wit is Basma Hawha from Beit Hanoun. She has 7 children at home, 4 of her own children and 3 orphaned children belonging to her dead brother whose wife has since left. Their home was badly damaged in the war, the windows and doors are still broken and they have no means of repairing them. “My children have been in the food programe from the beginning, it is great, really, we could not survive without it, but it is not enough, the food only lasts for 10 days”. I ask her what her other most urgent needs are “materials to fix our home and school uniforms, school bags and shoes for the children” she says.

Mrs Abed Lhai Mohra approaches me and asks if she can speak with me. She introduces herself with the help of a translator. “Hello, I am from Jabalyia and I have 6 children. Our family have been part of the food distribution programme from the beginning. I am so grateful for the help that your organisation gives us, it makes such a difference. We pray to God that it will continue, please don’t stop the food”. Again, for the second time this morning I reassure her that we are not here to do that, but to see how the programme is going and what more we can try to do”. I ask how long the food lasts her family “About 2 weeks usually, but that is ok, before this there was nothing only bread in black tea, now I can be sure that my children have food every day for sure for 2 weeks at least and we ask God to help us the rest of the time”. She introduces me to her cousin, who also lives with her. She has been widowed since she was 25 yrs old. She has one daughter who is badly anaemic and she has no money for medicines for her. I ask both these ladies, Naheda and Nalem,what their other most urgent needs are . “Supplies for the children for school, stationery, shoes and uniforms”, she says, “the hardest times are when the children are sick, several of them are sick with infections at the moment”. I ask what it was like for her family in the war. “It is hard to describe how terrifying it was. We moved 3 times during the war, each time because it was so dangerous, we moved to family and friends both, it was exhausting. Our own home is very badly damaged but we are very lucky that we are alive. Some of my children’s friends were killed in the war and they have taken badly affected by their deaths, they have nightmares and are afraid of the dark and afraid to be left on their own even for a short time. The least bang and they cry”. Her cousin adds “my daughter’s best friend also died, her family were all in one room, metal fell from the roof and she died in hospital from the head injury. She does not understand why her friend had to die; it is very hard to explain war and hatred to a child”.

Basma Hawha, who has 7 children at home including 3 orphaned children

Naheda and Nalem Mohra, cousins

Naheda signs that she has filled her food coupon

The next couple we meet are Mr and Mrs Fowket from Beit Lahyia. They have 8 children including a 3 yr old girl with cerebral palsy. They lost their home in the war, it was completely destroyed. I ask where they are now and they tell me in a “store for cows donated to them by a farmer”, a cow shed. I ask about the food programme, and Mrs Fowket says, “the monthly food coupon makes a huge difference to us, we have been part of the programme from the beginning. The food used to last for about 2 weeks but now with the increase in prices, we don’t get as much for the coupon and it only lasts for about 10 days”. I ask, apart from more food for the rest of the month, what else they need. “Money for medicines for my daughter and husband and money for school uniforms and shoes for the children. Also, we badly need a fan as the cow store is so hot”. I ask if we can call with her later at home and she kindly agrees. We make a note about the fan. I saw some good ones in the shop we bought the washing machine last week. As for the school uniforms and shoes and materials for school, this is a need across all of the 300 families, and we will have to start a back to school campaign. We also need to increase the food allocation, realistically to double the current funding. However, fundraising at home is difficult, just not the same money there, but we will have to think of new strategies.

Mr and Mrs Moket who have 8 children and lost their home in Operation Cast Lead

I notice a little boy I recognise. I met him last week with his family in Jabalyia. I say hi and that it is good to see he is helping with the shopping. I am glad that with the cash assistance last week, he and his brothers and sisters will be getting a little more this month.

The small supermarket also turns into a health clinic. I am indundated with requests from families about health issues asking for help. Here this morning, I would need to be a dermatologist, dentist and neurologist. No eye problems today! I explain I cannot help them directly, but we will take note of the requests and see if we can refer them on to those who can help. This is one of the hardest things I find about this visit, the many requests for help that we are not in a direct position to address – transfers of seriously ill children out of Gaza for treatment, requests to help leave Gaza to go and live with family abroad, requests for materials to rebuild damaged houses, requests for specialist care. What we can do however, is help with food, medicines, school supplies, clothes and shoes, we will just have to raise more money to help people with their needs and pray for more Divine Providence.

Lady asks for diagnosis and treatment for skin condition

Mother asks for help with child who has difficulty walking

Woman asks for referral to dentist

Mother asks for help for daughter’s palate defect

I also recognise some of the other families here in the store this morning. Three of the large Eade family from Jablayia and Mr Abed, father of 10 children, who featured in the film of Gaza we made in September 2008 of the humanitarian crisis here.

The Eade family from Jabalyia

Mr Abed, father of 10, who featured in the film we made of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza last year

The owner of the supermarket is here this morning and I thank him for the little bit of discount he gives to every family and he thanks us for our business. I also thank him for helping families who run out of food completely as he has done on often and for helping with the food baskets during the war. I have to stock up on more sweets as we will be visiting some of the camps later today so decide to shop here. He kindly donates a large bag on the house! Happy days!

It is now 12.30 p.m and we are behind schedule. It is clear from the time here that the families like the programme, the food coupons are making a difference, however, we really need to at least double the food allocation to each family per month and that will take a lot more money. We currently have to raise £10,500 sterling per month for 300 families and 2000 children. Doubling the food allocation will require £21,000 per month. The Belfast marathon in May was a huge effort and yet it only raised just over £4100 for Gaza. We will need to source new funding streams!

On now, to visit the Hajaj family in Gaza city. Mrs Hajaj’s 25 yr old son was killed on the first day of Operation Cast Lead. He was hit by a rocket just outside the front door of the family home and she found him “decapitated with his brain lying on the street”. She cries and is inconsolable as she speaks of her youngest son and the horror of his death. Her husband suffers from a mental illness, he is sleeping when we call. Her own health is poor, she has a heart condition and needs surgery. She is here with 3 of her grandchildren, to one of her sons, Donia 10 yrs, Essa 8 yrs and Yaizen 6 yrs. They have just had their lunch of bread soaked in black tea. Another grandchild is in hospital with meningitis. Mrs Hajaj shows me around their home and the damage to the roof of the house during the war, then outside to where her son was killed, just about 10 feet from the doorway. I go into the kitchen and there is no food, nothing. Sabah opens the fridge and in it two crusts of bread and one small tomato. This family are part of the food distribution programme in Gaza city, but now 3 weeks into the month, they are out of food. They literally have no food in the house and it really hits home that we will need to increase the monthly coupon value. I give her cash assistance for food over the coming months, she cries and hugs and kisses me many times. Again, it is so very humbling. I ask about the children. Their mother abandoned them when the baby, Yaizen, was 2 months old. She has since re-married into a family that has a little money and wants nothing more to do with her children. The children, on the advice of Sabah, went with their grandmother, bearing small gifts, to visit their mother but she refused to see them. There has been no contact since, not even during the war.

Fami Ayisha Hajaj and her 3 grandchildren Donia, Essa and Yaizen

Two crusts of bread and small tomato, only food in the Hajaj home

I talk to the children and ask them if they like school and what their favourite subject is; they all say Arabic. I also ask what they want to be when they grow up. The eldest Donia would like to be a doctor and the younger ones both want to be teachers – of arabic! We open the bag of toys to choose things and also give them some sweets. I ask the grandmother if she will get some good food for them today and she says she will go to the shops as soon as we go.

This is a very sad story, hunger, bereavement and abandonment in this home. Children’s lives don’t get much worse than this.

Mr Hajaj asleep in the yard

I promise to send more money soon and we leave Mrs Hajaj, her burdens lessened just a little for now. If something happens to her, what will become of these children?

We drive on to the camps of displaced people living in tents. There are several large camps and I am keen to visit all of them, for we have a lot of toys and also cash assistance to distribute. I also want to find the woman and child I met on my first day of the trip; she has been on my mind, as that day, it was impossible to give her anything. Ahmed says we cannot possibly find this woman, however I never accept no for an answer and so we start with this camp in Elatatra in Beit Lahyia. Indeed, Ahmed, is not happy about driving into the camps and tells me it is crazy and we will get mobbed. I assure him that I can handle it and that I have gone into camps in Bosnia and, with a bit of assertiveness and crowd control, distribution of aid is possible.

It is not as busy here as the last day. I take some photos of the children and again seeing themselves on digital camera is a source of great amusement. No sweets and toys here yet though, I will follow Ahmed’s recommendation and wait until just I before we leave to distribute everything.

Children from the camp

More children from the camp

It is 1.30 p.m and the heat is burning. The skin on my arms and face is scorching. I doubt any of these kids are wearing sun factor. We decide on a different strategy today leaving the toys and sweets in the car in case we are mobbed again and the four of us walk into the camp. I start on the left side at one large tent and the father of the family invites me in. If it was hot outside, inside the tent is like a sauna.

Here in this first tent, I meet the Abu Laila family of 14. The first thing I notice is the clothes some of the children are wearing, jumpers and fleeces, far too warm for this heat, they must be sweltered. And then I realise they are probably the same winter clothes, distributed after the war and when many had no blankets even. I ask how they lost their home. Their father explains, “It was the second week of the war, Israeli soldiers came into the area at 3 a.m. in the morning. There was shouting and shooting and tanks everywhere. We fled our home in the clothes we were wearing and made in to the nearest UNRWA school. We were running hard, we took nothing with us; there was no time. We were lucky to escape, others were not so lucky. As we ran there was shooting all around us, but we kept running as a family. When we returned after the war, the house was completely destroyed, we lost everything. The government here gave each family who lost their home 2000 dollars, we bought a fridge, and a TV and food. We decided a fridge and TV, to use between electricity cuts, would be the most benefit to the children”. I glance at the TV connected to an outside power cable that looks far from safe, and who is on the screen but Obama! A pity he isn’t here in this tent in person! “Maybe he will make a difference to Gaza”, I suggest, “Enchala, enchala”, they say, which means we hope, with the help of God. I ask about work. “I used to work selling a few vegetables that I grew beside the house, but now I can’t even do this as our donkey was killed in the war”, Mr Abu Laila says. I ask how much a donkey would cost in Beit Lahyia and am told 700 USD, so same as in the Middle Area.

His wife continues the story. “We had all our savings in the home, 5000 shekels, there was no time to take it and when we went back to our house the money was gone. My husband and I spent all of our lives building this home for our family, I even sold the jewellery I owned to help build this home for us, now we have nothing, it was all we had and our savings are gone also” and she breaks down and sobs. Her husband continues, “I am not Hamas, I am not Fatah, I don’t want to know anything about politics, I am just an ordinary man trying to do the best for my family. Why did they destroy our home? We should not have to live like this at this stage of our lives”. I ask what the family had for lunch today and am told tomatoes and salt. I ask what they need and am told “money for food, medicines (Mr Abu Laila is diabetic), clothes, shoes, school supplies and a new home!”.

“Do the children go to school?” I ask. “Yes they can go to school when they start again in September, but I don’t know how we can send them without proper clothes and supplies. Also, after the war, one of my youngest children Mohammed refused to and go to school, he was too afraid to leave us”. Again, lots of high career aspirations in this tent - doctors, teachers and journalists and the children enjoy the questions. I tell Mohammed, if I was him I would be afraid to go to school too but if he wants to be a teacher he will have to be brave and go back to school in September. I wonder where they will find the money to educate so many children to achieve their potential? I ask the children what they are brilliant at and again, every time, surprise faces initially all around and then the answers flow – arabic, drawing, weaving, science, football, summer games!

The heat is now unbearable in this tent. Talking to families takes time as, while some have a little English, usually it is with two-way translation at a pace of a sentence or two. Sabah, Mohanned and Ahmed tell me later that my trip is doing wonders for their English! Unfortunately my Arabic is not up to the same power, although at least now I can say, good morning, how are you, what is your name, my name is Orla and I am from Ireland, what was it like for you in the war, thank God, God be with you, I hope things will go well for you, how many days does the food last your family, you are welcome, good, excellent and cheers - an improvement on my hello, good-bye and thank you from last year!

The Abu Laila family from Beit Lahyia, one of thousands, who lost their home in the war

Mohammed 6 yrs, too afraid to go to school and leave his parents

I thank the Abu Laila family and tell them I have toys for all the children and will give them out later and also cash assistance for their family. As we leave their tent, I notice a woman who is very like the woman I met here on the first day. She turns and I realise it is her. I am delighted to find her and I give Ahmed a oh ye of little faith wink. I go over to her tent and say hello. With the help of translation, I apologise that we were unable to give her anything the first day given the situation but that I am glad that we found her and her family again. Her name is Linda and her husband is Hamed. They have two children Waleed 6 yrs and Noha 18 months. It is Noha whom I met the first day and she is still crying, still distressed. I notice how sunburnt all of this family are. I ask them if they would tell me what happened their home during the war. They kindly offer us some tea, but we decline, explaining we have many to visit. The heat in this tent is also unbearable. Hamed says “Our house was in Beit Lahyia. During the 2^nd week of the war Israeli soldiers came into the house where 26 of our family and neighbours were gathered. Everyone was crying and afraid and in the commotion the 4 of us escaped. We watched then as our home was demolished by a tank. It was completely destroyed. All around other houses were being demolished and people, just ordinary people, were shot at. It is hard to describe how bad it was, it was hard to believe this was happening. They have come in many times before and demolished houses and shot at people and children but they have never destroyed homes and killed to this extent. I took my wife and children into Jabalyia camp but later I was caught and arrested and taken to a jail in Israel for 10 days. I ask what jail was like and the young man’s eyes look wounded. “Terrible, I was interrogated for hours, badly beaten and mistreated. I did not think I would see my family again”. I tell them we have cash assistance for them and toys and sweets for the children I will give it to them after we visit the other tents.

Linda, Ahmed, Waleed and Noha who also lost their home

We walk through the camp to a fenced area where there are three tents behind a corrugated iron gate. Here we meet Wafa who is working on a little garden she has started outside the main tent. I ask her if we can come in and meet her family and she kindly obliges. Again, I notice she is quite sunburnt; yogurt sits on parts of her face where she has tried to soothe the sun burn. I ask about the war and how she lost her home. “I lost not only my home but also my 9 yr old son Abraham”. She tells me her story. “We lived in Elatatra in Beit Lahiya. Israeli soldiers invaded the area the 2^nd week of the war. It was terrifying; they were ordering everyone out of their houses, yelling at people and pushing them with their guns. There was a lot of shooting and screaming, it was really crazy, out of control. Just before they came to our home, we managed to escape through a window at the back, my husband and I carried the two youngest children and we all ran as fast as we could to the trees. We left with nothing, not even food, but we were relieved we had escaped. We spent 4 days hiding in the outdoors under the trees, we had no food or water. The children were starving so myself and my husband and my two eldest sons decided to go back to our home to get food. The house was completely destroyed, everything except the bathroom. I remember thinking it was so strange that the bathroom was untouched but all around everything was flattened. However, they were waiting for us and they starting shooting. We ran and they shot my 9 yr old son, he was badly hit, my husband picked him up and ran with him but they shot my husband in the side and continued shooting at my son. And they killed him. My Abraham. I thought we would all be killed. I screamed at my husband to leave him and the three of us continued run. Even though my son was already dead, the soldiers stood over his body and continued to shoot him, 150 times. The other children could see everything and they were deeply traumatised, not only watching their brother be killed but so many bullets pumped into his body and thinking we would also be killed. Meanwhile my husband was bleeding.

The Red Cross could not access the area and my son’s body lay on the ground. My husband was also in need of attention. From where we were hiding we continued to watch for an opportunity to get to my dead son. The soldiers slowly moved and we stayed under the trees but no help came. Eventually after 4 days and still no food, we saw a Bedouin farmer with a donkey and cart, and we begged him for help. He helped us put my son’s now rotting body on the cart and we all went with him to the hospital where they prepared his corpse for burial. His little body was riddled with bullets. She shows me a picture of Abraham - the same large A3 poster is in different areas of the tents.

One of my sons was taken by an NGO to Poland for help him deal with his trauma. He was there with other children from the war for 3 weeks. He had a lovely room and good food and clean clothes and medical treatment, but then after the 3 weeks, he had to come back here and the readjustment to living here after some comfort was very hard for him, too difficult”.

I give her my condolences on the loss of Abraham, she thanks me, saying that he is in heaven and she is expecting another baby. I ask what life is like in the tents. “In the beginning it was really hard, really, difficult and it was cold and there wasn’t enough food. Then a wealthy man from United Arab Emirates donated daily lunch of chicken and rice to every person in the camp and that really helped, proper food every day. Also UNRWA and Unicef helped us and each gave us extra tents and now with 3 tents in our patch, we use one as a living room, one as a kitchen and one as a bedroom”. Also, in one area, I note a wardrobe converted into a shower, a hose for the water. I tell her she has made the tents very homely and I am impressed with the small garden she has made. She smiles and thanks me. It would be easier if Abraham was here with us, we all miss him.

Wafa, mother of 9 children, who lost her 9 yr old son Abraham was shot by Israeli soldiers 150 times

Three of Wafa’s girls play outside the tent

I thank Wafa again and ask her to walk with us to the car, as we have toys and cash assistance for her. It is clear she is a very strong woman. As we approach the car, many other families are already gathered and many invite us into their tents to hear their stories. Ahmed says no, there are too many people around now, and he wants to leave soon. There are about 50 children around me as we arrive at the car and I wonder how the word has spread so quickly and then I realise, all they needed to do is to look into the large van to see toy heaven.

I tell all the children, with Ahmed and Mohanned’s help, to stand back as there are things for everyone, and initially they do, but then when the dolls, footballs, colouring books, crayons, bubbles and bears start to make an appearance, there is huge excitement bordering on mass hysteria and it all goes a bit crazy. I have kids clambering all over me, others holding onto me and pulling at my clothes and others trying to get past and make it into the van. I don’t mind but Ahmed is getting cross now. I tell them all to stand back there is enough for everyone and can already see that some children have three or four things each. Again, so what and, they are having great fun, but giving out sweets here is just not going to be possible. I ask the parents then to step in and help to control the children, they are also unable to, so I hand other supplies over the heads of the children to each of the parents, some now also crowding and holding out their hands and begging money. I have made a pigs ear of this and my technique from Bosnia just isn’t working here. Only Wafa and Linda stand back. I cannot get through the crowd now to give them their envelopes of cash assistance and Sabah and Ahmed decide it is time to get go. I try and reach them from the car window, but it isn’t possible. Ahmed drives away, he is very cross now, however I tell him he and his family don’t have to live here in these conditions. Children are running after the van, there are no other vehicles so I open the window and throw more footballs to them and they are over the moon with their catch. One child is still sprinting after the car, quite some distance, before giving up the chase. God love them, they have nothing. Why wouldn’t they go mad with the excitement of the arrival of a mobile toy shop? Ahmed is still cross. We will have to think of another strategy to distribute money and aid here! As for toys and games and crafts, not sure, what is the best way to do it. I ask if we can go to the other camps but that is out of the question now.

We go back to Sabah’s home to take a break from the heat and have some cold drinks. Today is the hottest day yet. We discuss the experience of the camps and make arrangements for getting the cash assistance to these families next week. It is clear that these families need particular help. While they have more food here than some of the families I have met, the living conditions are dire as are the lack of clothes and protection from the sun. The heat of the tents must also make them very dehydrated. Also, what will happen in the winter when it gets cold? It is terrible that these people, who have lost their homes, have no possibility of being re-housed in even temporary accommodation 6 months on. Also, a 2000 dollar payment from the government per household is terrible particularly in light of the thriving tunnel economy.

Time now to return to homes close to the industrial area. The landscape here is a mess, utterly depressing, mound after mound of rubble, all former homes either bombed or demolished by tanks. Some houses are completely flattened, others stand as part shells. All around, rubble, twisted metal and endless dust. Such a hopeless environment with no sign of any new builds. To obliterate people’s homes and then leave them like this is too cruel. Here families still live in makeshift homes among the rubble.

Site of former home

Former home reduced to rubble

Former home reduced to rubble

Former home reduced to rubble

Ruin of a former home

Ruin of a former home

As we walk through the area, families come out to meet us and as, everywhere we go, children gather. One woman shows us her former home, her husband died during the collapse of it. They pulled him out of the rubble and tried to revive him. There was no ambulance or red cross so neighbours put him in a car and drove him to hospital but he died.

Widow with 4 of her 6 children, who live close to their former home

Remains of collapsed home that killed their father

Just a short way a long, we meet a man who lost both of sons, they were both policemen. One son had 2 children and the other son 1 child and he looks after all 3 children now. Mr Nady Abu Dradona introduces us to his grandchildren. All of the children are red headed, they look very Irish! The red hair gene descends from the time of the crusades. So many little lives shattered. I think of another statistic - on the first day of the war, 50 policemen were graduating at their graduation ceremony, all were killed.

Abdullah 5 yrs and Doriah 6 yrs, orphaned in the war

Grandfather of Doria and Abdullah with their cousin Mamoud who lost his father also

Street of former houses reduced to piles of rubble

Former row of houses completely decimated

We drive on towards the industrial area, picking up Mohammed on the way. I met Mohammed last week, formerly a successful businessman who owned a concrete and construction company here with his brothers.

En route to the industrial area

We pass a makeshift mosque, one of many here where people gather to pray. Statistics suggest that 30 mosques were completely destroyed and 15 were partially destroyed. In one case a mosque full of people at prayer was bombed killing 15 and injuring 30.

As to schools, a reported 200 schools were damaged including 36 UNRWA schools. He attacks on clearly civilian areas such as mosques and schools again confirm that his was a war on civilians.

Makeshift mosque

We arrive at the industrial area and Mohammed shows us the factories here that were completely destroyed including 5 concrete factories and one juice factory. Everywhere here is a scene of mass destruction. It’s a mess and there is no equipment or means to clean it up, nothing can get through.

All of Mohammed’s brothers and sisters lived in this area, close to their business and all of their houses were completely destroyed, bar one, used as a military base. He shows us his former home and even the place where he left his car, also destroyed. He has lost everything, his home and his business and there is no possibility of compensation.

We enter the house that was left to use as a military base. It is completely trashed. Here on one wall, a pictorial representation of their plan to destroy 5 homes and retain one for operations. Every room is a mess. Only the kitchen remains partially intact, cupboards here designated by soldiers for specific things – food, medicines etc.

There is graffiti and writing all over the walls. This seems to be a common theme. Over the last few weeks I have seen a lot of this ranging from the engraving of a star of David after a killing, deaths recorded like football scores e.g. Israel 8 – Palestine 0, and a particularly chilling one, "prepare to die soon". Here on this wall, outside a room where 3 elderly women and 1 man were kept in captivity without food, water or access to a bathroom is written “enclosure for animals”. I am later told by an Israeli that this is perhaps one of the greatest insults to a Palestinian.

We drive to what is left of his company, his sons also benefiting from the toys and the bubbles go down a treat.

The sun is starting to set and the light is particularly beautiful. It casts an orange glow across the devastation, lighting up the darkness.

Remains of home in industrial area

Remains of home in industrial area

Remains of home in industrial area

Remains of home in industrial area

Mohammed in the grounds of his former home

Mohammed at the front of his former home shows us where his car was parked, also destroyed

Mohammed’s son, Ahmed, in the ruins of his former home

One family home retained as military base

Military plan deciding to keep one home and destroy 5 others

I am not sure I could live back in a house that had been occupied and trashed like this; still they have little option. Upstairs, from the balcony, panoramic scenes of destruction and Gaza city in the distance. The sun is starting to set and the warm light above is in stark contrast to the grey misery below.

Kitchen remains with cupboards allocated for specific items e.g. medicines, food

Every room in this house is trashed

“Enclosure for animals” written on wall outside room where elderly held without food/water

View from side of house

View from back of house

View from upstairs of house – sunset over Gaza city

Outside Mohammed’s nephews play with his son and we give them toys also. Again blowing bubbles is the most fun.

Toys for the boys

Blowing bubbles

Time to go now and we leave the industrial area just as the sun is setting. There is something special in the sunset tonight, as if there is a celestial presence in it, like one often sees in the striking skies of Medugorje.

Sunset over Gaza city

It is dark now as we make our final stop today to visit Abd and his family. Abd is 17 yrs old and is paralysed. He was shot in the March 2008 incursion while checking the water level in the water tank on top of the house. He is lying on a bed in the courtyard area of his home, it is cooler for him here. His father speaks for a long time about his illness and what happened him, he is paralysed, has renal failure and is need of surgery. It is also clear he has an infection for his urine bag is bloody and cloudy and he has a temperature. I suggest that he may have a bladder infection and needs to see a doctor soon. I notice Abd listening to all of the adults talking about him but not with him. I ask Abd if I can talk with him and if he can tell me in his own words how he is feeling now.

“I am not feeling so well, I am more sick than last month and I am weary of all the treatments and still feeling unwell”, he explains.

I ask if he feels up to telling me what happened him. “Sure, no problem. It was March time and I went to top of the house to check the water in the water tank. My father told me not to leave the house as there were Israeli soldiers all over the area, but we needed water and there was no water coming from the tank. I had just checked the tank and as I was walking down the ladder, I could hear voices and steps, however I could not see anyone. I stopped and did not move. The next thing I felt a stab of pain in my back, I checked it with my hand and I was covered in blood. I fell from the ladder onto the roof of the house and that is all I remember. I don’t know how long afterwards it was but the next thing I was in Shifa hospital, I wakened and there were patients on either side. It was then they told me what happened me and that I was paralysed”.

His father filla in the rest. My daughter came running to get me to say Abd was shot. He was bleeding everywhere and unresponsive. We called the ambulances and also the Red Cross but they could not get through to the area for 4 hrs. We tried to stop the bleeding, but it was impossible. He almost bled to death. They said in the hospital that his haemoglobin was 2. They gave him blood and fluids and worked hard on him for many hours, he was alive thank God, but the bullet severed his spine. He was shot in the back, right in the middle of his spine, they chose their spot. It was not cross fire, there was no shooting, it was a direct hit. Abd was not recovering well so he was transferred finally to a hospital in Egypt, however with restrictions here, neither I or his mother were allowed to go with him so he went alone. He was very brave. The care however in this hospital was poor and when he was returned to us, he had 3 large pressure sores, 2 to the bone. He also had pressure sores on both his feet. He was a mess. His main problem now is his kidneys, the doctor says Abd has renal failure. He has a catheter now and a bag.

I ask what we can do to help. Medicines and bags and treatments are expensive, and we need help with these. The pads are very costly, 500 shekels per month and the urine bags are 100 shekels per month. Many people have come to meet Abd and hear his story, they have taken notes and offered help but they never follow-up. I give Abd’s mother money for his medical needs for the next few months and promise to send more. I ask Abd, if there is anything at all he would like to have for himself, not medicines and treatment, but for him “I used to like sports and exercise, I was strong, but now my body is very weak. I would like to get well again and get stronger in my body. I would also like to be well enough to get a job and work”, he says. “What else, do you enjoy?” I ask, “I used to enjoy football but that is finished for me”, he says. “What about things you can still do”, I ask him. “I enjoy listening to music especially arabic music and I used to like art and painting, I suppose I could still do that. I am also interested in computers, maybe this is an area I could work in if I get well”. I tell him I think that is a great plan and ask if there is anything else he would like for himself. He smiles, but I guess it is hard to talk with a big audience. His father says he would like a laptop but he is too shy to ask. I ask Abd if this is what he would like and he says yes and I promise him a laptop and he gives me a smile. He has a beautiful smile. His father then asks me to look at his wounds, so I agree after asking everyone else to leave. His worst pressure sore is on his right buttock, terrible. This should have healed, it looks as if it is trying to heal, but perhaps his general ill health is not helping nor is his nutritional status, he is very thin. I will send the photos to a specialist at home and ask for an opinion. I say good-bye to Abd and that I hope to see him much better on my next visit and in the meantime I will keep my promise and send him a laptop.

We say good-bye and head back to the city. This poor kid, what did he do to serve this?. Where can I get him a laptop before tomorrow? I drive into Gaza city, it is now about 10 p.m and some shops are still open here. I need to buy memory sticks for all of my work here and also to copy my photos before travelling back through Tel Aviv. We go to a shop selling some laptiops. They are relatively cheap, but not good quality and no guarantees. I ask where they came from, silly question, the tunnels! I decide to leave it and have a look in the Arab quarter of Jerusalem on my way out and leave it with one of Sr Susan’s team to bring on their next visit. Abd deserves the best.

We stop off to visit Ouni’s new baby. I have some gifts for her. We also meet the rest of the family and her older sister is very excited about the UNRWA summer games. She shows me her cap, new shoes and sweatshirt. Very colourful! The family evacuated this building as it came under heavy attack during the war. We didn’t stop to take anything, we left in 5 minutes, just ourselves and a little food and water. In matters of life and death decisions, belongings are not important. Ouni gives thanks to God many times that his family are safe.

Ouni with his 8 day old daugher Heloi

Ahmed and Ayia

Ayia shows me her Summer Games gear

Ouni knows everyone in Gaza. I would like to meet the fishermen before I leave and ask if he can arrange it. We makes a few phone-calls and all is arranged. We will have to be at the port at 6 a.m. as that is when they come in, he explains.

I get back to the hotel, it is 11.30 p.m, a long day. The border closes at 2 p.m. in the morning so I will need to leave by 12.30 p.m. I pack my things and also organise the remaining toys and sweets, I will bring these to the nuns in the parish tomorrow.

Ouni ‘phones to say there is a change of plan. The fishermen will meet me at 7.45 a.m. as they will be around for a few hours in the morning. Great, 2 more hours kip, I am very tired.

Abd is still on my mind. How difficult this war must have been for him after all he has been through already. What must have been going through his mind during Operation Cast Lead? I think of the Israeli soldier who shot him and chose to aim at his spine. He clearly knew he was about to destroy the life of this teenager. What was going through his mind when he was deciding to do this? Did he hesitate at all before squeezing the trigger? How did he feel after making his kill? Who taught him that it was OK to try to assassinate children? Terrible, I would like to meet this faceless butcher.

I review my things still to do list and pleased that we have covered so much ground today. Still, I could do with another week here at least.

I open volume 3 of Direction for Our Times, God the Father speaks to his children at the following words: “ All children of the earth hear My call. Your God communicates with you in all majesty. I will do anything to save a soul and I have great power. The only thing I cannot overturn is your free will. If a soul chooses darkness over me there is nothing I can do for your free will is my gift to you and the Father will never take back a gift once given. It would be alien to the very nature of God. But you will return to Me. Return now in your heart...You have sampled the world’s offerings and you have been left unloved and in darkness. I offer you all that is light and good. I offer you safety and confidence. I will nourish you in times of hunger and console you in sadness. You need nothing, only me. So there is no reason to languish. Your God has called you by name. Come to Me”.

I pray to Him, as I pray every day, to end this cruel siege and bring justice to these people.

If you are in a position to help any of the families we met during our time in Gaza, please contact us at info@tuesdayschild.co.uk or donate online here »

Continue to read Day 14 »