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March 5, 2009
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Vol 2, No. 4
PO Box 2040 Orange CA
92859
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Dear Friend of AFEDJ
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 Thank you very
much for your kind words of support and encouragement to our work in
the Gaza Strip. I also would like to express my appreciation for
the amount of care and attention American Friends volunteers, staff and
Board have devoted to our work in Gaza during the war and
aftermath. Without such hard work and extraordinary generous response
to our emergency appeal it would be very difficutl for us to continue
our work to eliminate the sufferings of many in need.
We at Ahli
are very much proud of our partnership in the Ahli Mission of
healing. Looking forward to seeing you soon in the Gaza.
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Life continues to be
extremely difficult
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 These black and
white photos are not from an archive; they are current UN photos
of a refugee camp in Gaza. Officials have identified
sewage as the #1 problem. It's winter there -- 40 or 45
degrees at night. Homes have been destroyed and many families
live in tents, exposed to the cold rain.
Emotional trauma to the children is a pervasive
problem. Many have lost a parent, their home, all fear thunder
and lightening which reminds them of the bombing. These innocents
suffer nightmares and psychosocial damage.
Bill Corcoran, Director of ANERA, just returned from
Gaza. He described the effects of the bombing as "de-development."
Infrastructure including factories, cement makers and carpentry
workshops have been destroyed. Building materials to replace them
are not being allowed through the crossings. Employment and hope
are in short supply as well.
It's no surprise that Gazans feel alone,
isolated, forgotten. We can help by keeping them in our
hearts, praying and contributing to one of the bright spots in their
lives, the Ahli Arab Hospital. If you haven't donated yet,
please consider doing so now. The need is great and your help
matters. Go to www.afedj.org and the "Donate Now" button.
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Ahli Hospital Facts
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Ahli
Hospital in Gaza City is an 80 bed full service hospital founded
by Baptist missionaries over 100 years ago. It's currently owned
and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. In 2008, it
served 4725 inpatients needing general medicine, surgery,
orthopedics, urology and gynecology. In addition, they treated
33,575 outpatients. They continue to suffer from shortages of
food, fuel, medical supplies and equipment.
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Thank you
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A special
thank you to those parishes that ordered mite boxes. AFEDJ
is grateful for your Lenten commitment to the Holy Land.
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Help students prepare to lead toward peace
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Rena lives with her two sisters, her parents, grandfather and
uncle. Her father supports the seven of them all on his small
salary as a waiter in a cafe. They struggle each day to buy food
and fuel. But while Rena smiles shyly, Amal Duaybis,
Assistant Headmistress at Rena's school, praises her as extremely
bright and polite. With scholarship aid, Rena can stay in
school and even dream of college.
Ghadeer is in fourth grade, the baby in her
family. She has many brothers and sisters and her father died
when she was four. Her older brother tried to take over the
father's business after his death, but the business is not doing
well. Her brother is the only breadwinner in the family.
Ghadeer gets excellent grades in school, but she has two brothers and
two sisters in college who also need support from scarce
resources. Her brother cannot pay all the school fees. The
family is grateful for scholarship help to keep her in
school.
Every school run by the Diocese of Jerusalem
provides education to all, regardless of religion, ethnic background
or ability to pay. Every curriculum includes mutual respect,
tolerance, inclusiveness and problem solving skills along with quality
academic studies. With these tools these children will be able to
become open-minded leaders who can nurture a civil society toward
peace.
Visit our website at www.afedj.org to read about each of the 13 schools
of the Diocese, their important work in the community and the crucial
role you can play in the future of these children. Or
contact aklynn@afedj.org
for more information on scholarship opportunities. Help a child
today.
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Events and Ideas
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Trinity Church in Southport CT will host Middle East
Forums on Thursday evenings in March and April. A simple supper
and evening prayer precede the programs which are free and open to
all. 3/26 Christian Voices from Gaza and Pakistan. 4/2
Israeli and Palestinian Fighters Talk Peace: a Film. For a
complete schedule, go to www.trinitysouthport.org
The
University of Massachusetts will host an International Conference on
March 28 and 29 titled "One State for Palestine/Israel: A country
for all its citizens?" Conference is free but registration
is required. Go to http://onestateforpalestineisrael.com for registration and more information.
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 The AFEDJ is a nonprofit, non-political 501c3 which
helps sustain the institutions of the Episcopal Diocese of
Jerusalem. These include 13 schools, 3 hospitals, 5 institutes
for the disabled and 4 affiliates spread over Israel, Palestine,
Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. All provide for those in need
regardless of religious background. All foster mutual respect and
tolerance in a land torn by turmoil and poverty. Learn more about
the work of the AFEDJ or the Diocese of Jerusalem. Visit www.afedj.org to contribute to any of
the important work done in the region. Or visit www.j-diocese.org for a direct
link to the Diocese of Jerusalem.
While Gaza
is in crisis, all the work of the Diocese continues to need your help
and support.
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