Reema El Shekh, who is ten years old, and her friend Fatma, who is 12, both live in a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, which is on the Mediterranean coast between Israel and Egypt
The tiny area of land where Reema lives is one of the most fought over places in the history of the world. In the time of Jesus it was fought over because it was on the trade routes between Asia and Africa. In this century it has been the scene of much conflict between Palestinians and Israelis.
Many of Reema's friends have witnessed the violence or been victims of it. Most have had their schooling severely disrupted, because of both the Palestinian uprising (intifada) against Israeli occupation, which started around the time Reema was born, and the policies of the Israeli government to control the area.
Now, Gaza contains many Palestinian refugee camps, and is one of the most densely populated, and poorest, places in the world. Formerly many Palestinians worked in Israel, their right to work is now restricted and the loss of income leads to greater poverty. The Palestinian Authority does not have the funds to support education and health services and some children suffer malnutrition. Many no longer attend school because their parents cannot afford books and uniforms. The schools have virtually no equipment and can cope only by taking children in half-day sessions.
The Oslo Accords in 1993 marked a hopeful opening in the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis. But those concerned with the future of the region stress that pressure must be put on both sides to live up to their promises. In particular, Israeli land confiscations, declared illegal according to the Oslo Accords, have actually increased since 1993. Furthermore, Palestinians still depend on Israel for jobs, and their freedom to travel for work or education has been restricted more and more by the Israeli government. Palestinians face increasing difficulties with travel between the Gaza Strip and West Bank, for everything from daily business to life-and-death emergencies.
Christian Aid supports Israelis and Palestinians in the region who work for lasting solutions to the conflict, addressing poverty, legal and land rights, health and education and long-term rehabilitation projects for those, like Reema, whose lives are marked by trauma.
At the Sunrise and Hope Children's Centre, run by a local organisation, Culture and Free Thought, more than 700 children benefit from remedial education and trauma therapy through music, art, theatre and folk dance sessions. The children also look after chickens and grow flowers, trees and vegetables.
In many parts of the world children like Reema suffer the combined effects of poverty and long-term conflict. Christian Aid can help.
Please will you help Christian Aid this Christmass.
"We witness to the God who brings light out of darkness, hope out of despair and life out of death. With all the peoples of this land our longing is for light in the present darkness and our desire is that everyone should have life."
written by The Right Rev'd Samir Kafity, Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem The Right Rev'd Riab Abu El Assai, Bishop Co-adjutor in Jerusalem
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page last updated 10 DECEMBER 1997