DOB: 9 November 1999 - Cairo
Class: Primary 4 (2008-2009)
Sponsors: Benefactors of Hong Kong / Singapore
History: Maryam is a gentle and sweet girl, pious and adoring at Mass. She is the 3rd and youngest child, the only girl in the family. She has two brothers: Waghih (14 yrs) and Philip (15 yrs). The family is Coptic Catholic originally from Darb el-Guenena . Mr. Safwat is 52 yrs. old. He used to live well, but 7 years ago he denounced the company he was working in of cheating. The company took revenge by accusing him of many things, which led to a fierce backlash of religious discriminaiton against Christians, and he was eventually sacked. He appealed to the Court but lost the case. Now he lives on occasional work which is insufficient to sustain his family. Keeping the children in school requires a constant budget that he hasn't. As is the usual case, these children can only attend night-school and payment is made to the individual teachers. Often the family of Maryam had to resort to borrowing or aid from benefactors. The mother used to work as a baby-sitter, but has since no job when the family left (Cairo). The nearby Coptic Orthodox Church used to help them occassionally but when it was discovered that they were Catholics, the Church abandoned them. The apartment in which they live is in a miserable state. For this reason, they cannot welcome anyone into their house.
Will you not answer the cries of the poor and needy?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh
Now my second computer is down. All the default settings are messed up and the wireless programme is gone. I've still got my 3rd computer (see? people were saying I'm overcautious in having so many computers but if you're as computer-illiterate as I am, the only hope is to have another computer on standby for emergencies). I just don't know how to deal with these technical viral issues. All I want is to work but I'm scared if I transfer the file to this 3rd computer, it may carry the virus over as well. This 3rd computer is my stone-age version that I used back in 2000. But it's coming in handy now. This is a nightmare. I think it's safer now for me to write my thesis by hand first, then type it in when the computer is repaired (if ever ... remember we're in the ME and time stretches forever. Remember my bed incident? 1 week = 4 months).
The streets in the Old City - actually the Muslim Quarter where I live - was packed. It's the Prophet Mohammed's birthday I think, and everyone was out for the festival. I got stuck in the human jam when the muslim scouts came marching down the narrow Suq of Damascus Gate. I was on my way to the Missionaries of Charity. An hour later on the way back I was faced with a human tide just out from the mosque - I was going against the current to get back home. I couldn't go forward nor back to the Sisters. It was sheer panic. But nothing like the panic of having TWO computers downed!!!! I'm going to be the most roasted shwarma in Jerusalem.
The streets in the Old City - actually the Muslim Quarter where I live - was packed. It's the Prophet Mohammed's birthday I think, and everyone was out for the festival. I got stuck in the human jam when the muslim scouts came marching down the narrow Suq of Damascus Gate. I was on my way to the Missionaries of Charity. An hour later on the way back I was faced with a human tide just out from the mosque - I was going against the current to get back home. I couldn't go forward nor back to the Sisters. It was sheer panic. But nothing like the panic of having TWO computers downed!!!! I'm going to be the most roasted shwarma in Jerusalem.
Shwarma
OK the virus has totally killed my computer - can't link up to the Internet anymore although everything about the line is working. I'm using another computer now to upload this and it works fine on the same line. Now all my work is gone..... I have to start all over again. It's big time shwarma .... grilled, roasted, welldone. I'm a goner. And I've got only 4 weeks to hand over the paper!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
2nd Sunday of Lent
Yesterday was a very hot day - some 25 degrees. But inside the house, it still feels cold. It was also a muslim feast but I don't know which. The muezzin was singing early in the morning and there're lots of muslims in the streets - very festive.
The previous day - Friday - I made the Way of the Cross. Actually I was helping the filming crew to film it. That meant running up and down the streets to get the best shots. It was for the Custody of the Holyland and all the friars co-operated. It was good fun. But I hurt my ankle (the old problem with the left one) and should have stayed in bed that evening. But knowing me, I went to a catechism led by the neocatechumens at the Greek Catholic Cathedral. It was powerful preaching - fire and brimstone. And I did learn something for my spirituality. It's a good time - Lent - to hear these type of sermons.
Back to yesterday. Went to the new Curia building at St. Saviour's monastery to do something - then rushed off to the pharmacy where I owed US$100 because when I bought all that medicine for Gaza, I was short of money. Got home and had lunch. Then I had to discuss with the superior and Marco regarding the liturgy for the coming week because it's our turn to lead the prayers. Pressure was on to get me to preside at the 8am Sunday Mass (today) and preach the sermon. Must admit that that scares me very much and have been avoiding it for the entire year. Well, got cornered into it so spent the entire afternoon preparing for the sermon. Good thing Osvalda our library assistant was around to help correct my italian.
I wanted to go to the midnight prayers (Vigil) at the Holy Sepulchre but when I woke up, it was already 12am. Too late.
This morning at 8am I presided at the Mass. I managed to get Fr Paul Sun and Sister Miaria Jiang to come along - because I wanted them to sing a chinese hymn at Communion time. They did a good job. The concelebrants were few - about 10 in all (which was good. Can you imagine preaching to your professors?) But the laity filled the Flagellation chapel. There must have been some 15 to 20 people in all. I was cared stiff when I started preaching. But it was soon all over and I quickly rushed up to change my clothes because Fr Buscemi was going out for his usual Sunday walk and shopping along the way, and I needed to buy some medicine.
It was a good walk, covering some 5 km. I didn't get my medicine but I bought some potato pastries - a treat for doing a good job during Mass! And I bought 10 starfruit as well - good for lowering BP I hear. Now Israel is growing lots of asian fruit - including lychee, mangoes, papaya and I think rambutan.
Today It's the 2nd Sunday of Lent (for the Orthodox, it's the 1st Sunday). The Orthodox pilgrims will soon be flooding the Old City as they do every year. One thought from today's 2nd reading is how much God loves us. He didn't even spare his only Son in order to save us from ourselves - so much is his love. Are we ready to accept such love?
The previous day - Friday - I made the Way of the Cross. Actually I was helping the filming crew to film it. That meant running up and down the streets to get the best shots. It was for the Custody of the Holyland and all the friars co-operated. It was good fun. But I hurt my ankle (the old problem with the left one) and should have stayed in bed that evening. But knowing me, I went to a catechism led by the neocatechumens at the Greek Catholic Cathedral. It was powerful preaching - fire and brimstone. And I did learn something for my spirituality. It's a good time - Lent - to hear these type of sermons.
Back to yesterday. Went to the new Curia building at St. Saviour's monastery to do something - then rushed off to the pharmacy where I owed US$100 because when I bought all that medicine for Gaza, I was short of money. Got home and had lunch. Then I had to discuss with the superior and Marco regarding the liturgy for the coming week because it's our turn to lead the prayers. Pressure was on to get me to preside at the 8am Sunday Mass (today) and preach the sermon. Must admit that that scares me very much and have been avoiding it for the entire year. Well, got cornered into it so spent the entire afternoon preparing for the sermon. Good thing Osvalda our library assistant was around to help correct my italian.
I wanted to go to the midnight prayers (Vigil) at the Holy Sepulchre but when I woke up, it was already 12am. Too late.
This morning at 8am I presided at the Mass. I managed to get Fr Paul Sun and Sister Miaria Jiang to come along - because I wanted them to sing a chinese hymn at Communion time. They did a good job. The concelebrants were few - about 10 in all (which was good. Can you imagine preaching to your professors?) But the laity filled the Flagellation chapel. There must have been some 15 to 20 people in all. I was cared stiff when I started preaching. But it was soon all over and I quickly rushed up to change my clothes because Fr Buscemi was going out for his usual Sunday walk and shopping along the way, and I needed to buy some medicine.
It was a good walk, covering some 5 km. I didn't get my medicine but I bought some potato pastries - a treat for doing a good job during Mass! And I bought 10 starfruit as well - good for lowering BP I hear. Now Israel is growing lots of asian fruit - including lychee, mangoes, papaya and I think rambutan.
Today It's the 2nd Sunday of Lent (for the Orthodox, it's the 1st Sunday). The Orthodox pilgrims will soon be flooding the Old City as they do every year. One thought from today's 2nd reading is how much God loves us. He didn't even spare his only Son in order to save us from ourselves - so much is his love. Are we ready to accept such love?
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Ilaria Romani Nadi
Fr Vincenzo sends information about baby Ilaria, who is benefitting from your generosity and kindness.
DOB: 20 June 2008 - Cairo
Age: 8 months old
Sponsors: Benefactors from Hong Kong / Singapore
History: Ilaria's parents are Romani and Randa Nadi who married some two years ago. Romani the father, works as a labourer at a goldsmith's but now is out of a job. When he worked, he earned 500 Egyptian Pounds a month (US$89). In Egypt, one lives with minimum decency on at least 2000 Egyptian Pounds a month. Now with the economic crisis, many businesses have shut down just like the one Romani worked in. Ilaria and her family now live with either the parents of Romani or Randa until the crisis passes. Baby Ilaria and her mother suffer from a form of rheumatism and the economic situation is not making their medical needs possible. (Remember we bought milk powder for Ilaria so she's eating more nutritiously now)
Bring a little joy and hope to someone in need this Lent; sponsor a child in Musky.
DOB: 20 June 2008 - Cairo
Age: 8 months old
Sponsors: Benefactors from Hong Kong / Singapore
History: Ilaria's parents are Romani and Randa Nadi who married some two years ago. Romani the father, works as a labourer at a goldsmith's but now is out of a job. When he worked, he earned 500 Egyptian Pounds a month (US$89). In Egypt, one lives with minimum decency on at least 2000 Egyptian Pounds a month. Now with the economic crisis, many businesses have shut down just like the one Romani worked in. Ilaria and her family now live with either the parents of Romani or Randa until the crisis passes. Baby Ilaria and her mother suffer from a form of rheumatism and the economic situation is not making their medical needs possible. (Remember we bought milk powder for Ilaria so she's eating more nutritiously now)
Bring a little joy and hope to someone in need this Lent; sponsor a child in Musky.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Habiba Halim Halim
From Musky, your adoptee Habiba
DOB: 21 February 2001 – Cairo
Class: Primary 3 (2008-2009)
Sponsors: Benefactors from Hong Kong / Singapore
History: Habiba has a sister, Rahil who is 5 yrs old. She suffers from various ailments. (This has probably stunted her growth as you can see from the photo.) See below for the background of her family.
Do something beautiful this Lent, sponsor a child in Musky (Cairo)
DOB: 21 February 2001 – Cairo
Class: Primary 3 (2008-2009)
Sponsors: Benefactors from Hong Kong / Singapore
History: Habiba has a sister, Rahil who is 5 yrs old. She suffers from various ailments. (This has probably stunted her growth as you can see from the photo.) See below for the background of her family.
Do something beautiful this Lent, sponsor a child in Musky (Cairo)
Rahil Halim Halim
Another beneficiary of your kindness, Rahil from Musky.
DOB: 26 October 2003 – Cairo
Class: Kindergarten (2008-2009)
Sponsors: benefactors from Hong Kong / Singapore
History: Rahil has a sister, Habibah who is 9 yrs. old. The family originally came from Tahta in Upper Egypt but moved to Cairo since some time now. Unlike most of our adoptees , this family has an apartment with 3 rooms but it is not in a good state of repair. With the death of their father at age 39 from a tumour, they have difficulty keeping this apartment. Besides having to pay for the monthly rent, they must also pay the "caparra" to the landlord in order to enter the apartment. The mother has no job. The family lives only from the pension of their deceased father, which is 120 Egyptian Pounds and another 65 Egyptian Pounds from the Coptic Parish. In total, it comes to US$33 a month. The little girl Rahil suffers from fainting spells that has now affected her sense of balance.
Do something beautiful this Lent, sponsor a child in Musky (Cairo)
DOB: 26 October 2003 – Cairo
Class: Kindergarten (2008-2009)
Sponsors: benefactors from Hong Kong / Singapore
History: Rahil has a sister, Habibah who is 9 yrs. old. The family originally came from Tahta in Upper Egypt but moved to Cairo since some time now. Unlike most of our adoptees , this family has an apartment with 3 rooms but it is not in a good state of repair. With the death of their father at age 39 from a tumour, they have difficulty keeping this apartment. Besides having to pay for the monthly rent, they must also pay the "caparra" to the landlord in order to enter the apartment. The mother has no job. The family lives only from the pension of their deceased father, which is 120 Egyptian Pounds and another 65 Egyptian Pounds from the Coptic Parish. In total, it comes to US$33 a month. The little girl Rahil suffers from fainting spells that has now affected her sense of balance.
Do something beautiful this Lent, sponsor a child in Musky (Cairo)
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