A great visit today spending
time at Al Shurooq School for Blind Children. A Scottish group were visiting at
the same time. It was lovely to hear some Edinburgh accents. I watched Shireen,
one of the teachers, so patiently caring for the smallest of the children. She
helped them with their food and then a wonderful gentle hand washing exercise outside.
Later, I was able to sit in on a class. One of the boys was banging his hand on
his leg and looked so frustrated. He took hold of my hand, held on and
eventually calmed. Afterwards I talked with the head teacher about him. He is totally
blind, has autism and has an extremely difficult home life.
Later today I went to
The Holy Child Programme in Beit Sahour to pick up the school social worker and
together we visited one of the children at home. A lovely visit with a smiling,
caring mum with her two children. We helped with some English homework and in
return I was taught how to count in Arabic. The youngster, a boy we are
helping, is benefitting so well from the school.
Then to Hope School to
see the youngsters. All seem very happy with Nader, one of the educators. I
will take one of the boys to Ramallah tomorrow to see an audiologist.
Finally today to see
the youngsters, so badly injured in the war in Gaza. I am met again with such
warm smiles from these exceptionally brave children. I have, again, to undergo
having fun made of me because of my allegiance to Barcelona Football Club. One
day we will beat Real Madrid – maybe!