Lydia Mansour at Peace Center for the Blind lost her sight at age 2 from measles. She spent her career as a teacher. After she retired, she entertained a lot. She became restless because she felt she could do more so she started a school for the blind in 1983 with only $200.
They board and teach 20 children from ages 4 - 18. Most come from the West Bank. Her biggest concern for the children is their health. It is difficult for parents to get permission to cross the separation wall from the West Bank so they can be with their children who have health problems.
A family asked Lydia to enroll their blind and mute daughter. Lydia didn't know how that could work since they couldn't communicate, but she agreed to try it for a couple of weeks. They discovered the girl could speak, but hadn't learned to speak because she was abused in the home. They accepted her into the program and worked with her. Now they can't get her to stop talking.
Their organization has a few knitting machines. They provide employment to women who make knitted sweaters, blankets, baby clothing, etc.
Lydia spoke very good English. She grew up during the British occupation. She learned English because she was disciplined if she spoke more than 5 words of Arabic Monday - Friday.
Lydia Mansour with Linda
We taught 3rd grade classes at Silwan today. The children are used to seeing us now so we are not the rock stars we were in the beginning. They love to ask our names or say something in English.
Most classes have 30-35 students, but Linda and Jan taught this one with only 9 students.
We visited Augusta Victoria Hospital with Susan and Shawn Garbett. The nursing students volunteered there and we wanted to make a contact before Garbetts leave.
We visited George Malki at IOCC, a large NGO working in several countries. It was started in 1992 by Orthodox churches in the US after the fall of the Soviet Union. They operate like Catholic Relief Services in responding to disasters. They also do on-going projects and work with other agencies.
George is from Bethlehem, has a Phd in Education from England, and is married to a woman from Jerusalem. His wife's father is from Bethlehem so he would normally have a West Bank green card. Because he was living in Jerusalem when the Israeli government issued identification cards,he got a Jerusalem id card rather than a green West Bank card.
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