Today started out with a much need rainfall. Our view
of Jerusalem is beautiful under any weather conditions. I especially
love to watch the cloud formations when the weather is changing.
We went into Bethlehem to visit two organizations BYU helps. The first was the Orthodox Sports club. This is some of the play equipment BYU purchased for the day care. Khader is our contact person. He is involved with the Sports Club, which is more of a community center, and the Hope School.
BYU paid to have the roof repaired at Hope School.
They use solar panels to heat their water.
Each morning the students have religious instruction in the Chapel.
Khader in his office/faculty lounge
We then went to Effetta School for the Deaf, also in Bethlehem. This was an art class.
The kindergarten class had blue uniforms for the boys and pink for the girls. They teach lip reading at this school and start intervention and training as young as 1 year.
We were very impressed with the school facilities which were clean and cheery and the faculty which seemed loving and professional.
BYU has helped provide consumable workbooks for the children to learn.
In the upper grades, the students were learning English grammar.
Dorris Skafi, our contact, showed some of the teaching aids BYU provided.
The children receive individual instruction. Notice the mirror in front so the student can learn how to shape his mouth correctly.
They also use computer games.
Matching games are always a hit.
This matching games taught Arabic and English words.
I felt right at home in this 3rd grade class.
We sang "A-too-a-ta" to learn body parts.
Some of the children live at the school because they live too far to drive in daily. They go home on the weekends. Their were 4-8 children in each room with a nun responsible for each room.
The school also had a class where the older students could write and perform raps.
As we waited for our ride, I had Blaine take this picture just because I like the diversity of this country.
These are some new apartments that are being built just inside the border crossing. They're very beautiful apartments and seemed somewhat out of place.
The border crossing leaving Bethlehem.
I thought this sign was ironic since the people of Bethlehem can't leave without special permission.
Back at the center, all is peaceful, represented by the dove. We are an oasis in East Jerusalem.
Last evening John and I ate dinner at "O Falafel" in SLC. We met Mustafa who says he knows of all the good works done by the humanitarian outreach from the Center. We told him we would bring you in to meet him when you return. He was anxious to meet you :)
ReplyDelete