Heat

Iconic umbrellas

 With summer vacation underway, working parents are searching for activities that can occupy their kids while the parents are at work. But of course such activities that double as daycare will cost quite a sum of money. Remember meals are included. As mentioned in previous blogs, agencies and schools prefer to organize day excursions as it costs less, is more educational and students get to choose which days to participate, and which days not. With almost two years of war, cancellation of outdoor activities and restriction of movement, students are frustrated feeling cramped physically and psychologically. Excursions compensate for this.

Temp rise between 32 - 36 degrees every day. It's stiflingly hot. And the iconic umbrellas are strung on many streets to provide shade, colour and a holiday vibe. A few of us are sick because of dehydration and exhaustion. With many priests on vacation, the few of us remaining must substitute them. That means traveling to other cities often with difficulties because Sabbat does not allow public transport. Without a private car, you're hostage to the taxis that work on Sabbat, and the prices go up triple.

The heat is giving me a headache right now. I'll have to rest more. July 1st is another medical examination and possibly an MRI.

Vacation and visits

Our Patriarch is welcomed
by the children

 The summer holidays have begun. Although there's no uniform date for all the schools in the region, as schools can decide on their own end-of-semester dates, most occur within a fortnight from each other. And with the rising expenses of everything, summer camps are a rarity as most families no longer can afford sending their children there. Instead there're lots of one day excursions. They cost less and are a lot more educational, I think. Excursions bring students to other cities, to visit other cultures, religions, and even the physical geography that differ from where they live. 

Our patriarch with the Greek Orthodox patriarch entered Gaza yesterday with an entourage. It was to check on the welfare of the christians remaining in the enclave. It's heartwarming to see the solidarity and compassion in the small community of christians, numbering no more than 500 people. 

Visiting the Anglican hospital

A small clinic was established to care for the children. It was jointly blessed by our Latin Patriarch as well as the Greek Patriarch. Later our Patriarch also visited the Anglican hospital that is recovering from previous damage.  There is optimism and hope. And the faith is strengthened by the adversity.

Let's hope for the best during this ceasefire. Not just for our Christians in the enclave but also for those living in the West Bank that's under siege. 

Summer

Summer sun and shadow

 Exam season is almost over and summer holidays are beginning. For some schools, holidays have already started. Scores of school kids - from primary school to secondary school - go on excursions by the busloads. And there are many. Much more than I have ever seen,

I guess one of the reasons for the sudden surge of school excursions is the rising cost of everything. Organising a summer camp is now very costly. Most families struggling to bring food to the table, are not able to afford sending their kids to summer camps this year. So the alternative is a one day excursion to different parts of the country. Mind you petrol is also very costly and hiring a coach for transport is expensive. But shared between 40 - 50 students and subsidised by the school, it's more affordable than a 5 day summer camp.

one thing I noticed about these summer excursions is its very educational. Teachers and tourist guides teach the students the history of the place, visit churches, mosques and synagogues. It opens the horizons of the students and introduces them to other communities living around them that they hold with suspicion and fear. So I feel excursions are more beneficial than week long summer camps.

Exams

Peafowl in the street

School exams are underway. You see students in the bus, in the streets, in cafes ..,. studying hard. They should realise that education is the key to breaking out of poverty. Unfortunately there are still people with the mentality that education is a waste of time and money. They prefer their children to go out and work. This sense of hopelessness that education will not better your life leads to many children with low esteem for themselves. They do not see their gifts, and if they believed enough in themselves, they'd do well. But there's so much pessimism and feelings of inadequacy that it imprisons some very bright minds to a cycle of poverty and underdevelopment.

I know they can do it because I had a case that I followed for over 8 years. A girl from a very poor background but given the opportunity and the kind sponsorship from some of you, she's now studying her final year in university. She's done good in last year's exams so much so that a 6 star hotel in Tel Aviv invited her to work for a week with them as a trial. I'm very happy for her.

Meantime the summer heat is climbing higher by the day. During the cooler evening one day, I decided to pay a visit to the local Melkite parish. I've known the parish priest for over 3 decades. On the way there, in the village street were a couple of peafowls wandering freely. I was surprised the feral cats did not attack them ... and there were several across the street.