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An Engaging Relationship/
Autumn 2005 from Aboud
30-Nov-05
Duane A. Burchick, Sr., KHS
HCEF Child Sponsorship Program Committee Chairman
The package of letters from Aboud arrived at a time when Aboud is undergoing trauma. The parish priest, Fr. Firas Aridah writes: An Israeli military officer made a tour in Aboud on Sunday, 2nd of October, 2005. He informed the landowners in Aboud that they would start building the segregation wall on the lands of Aboud from the northern and western sides. He also handed them military orders to confiscate about 3500 Dunums of the land of Aboud for this act. [10 Dunums = 1 Hectare, 4 Dunums = 1 Acre]
Most of them are cultivated with olive trees which are the main source
of living for the Palestinian peasants and also considered a symbol for the Palestinian existence. Moreover, this wall will swallow up too many ancient historic and religious sites of Aboud, which point out to its age in history. The wall will separate Aboud from the other surrounding villages. This wall will reflect itself on the social, healthy and educational aspects of life in Aboud because Aboud is characterized by its central position among the villages. This wall will block out large areas of grasslands in the face of farmers and shepherds& It will affect the spread of construction in Aboud despite the natural increase of population. As a result, a larger number of Aboud villagers will leave Aboud and live in the city.
We think that the object of this wall is to put under the Israeli control the resources of ground water which are in and around the village. The ground water in Aboud is about 20% of the ground water in the West Bank.
Under such a background, Butros Fawadleh, the coordinator of the Beacons of Hope program at the Latin School of Aboud began the package of letters with a letter to his counterpart, Bill Keimig at the parish school of St. Marys of Piscataway. After some family discussion, Butros describes the package of letters delivered to St. Marys School: As you may notice from the letters, our and your students are becoming more engaged in these letters and relation, so they are addressing and talking to each other as real friends and brothers sharing their interests, hopes, wishes and prayers, too. I think this is something very good to happen and shows the improvement in this relationship. I think we must keep encouraging them to do so, and even raise more the level of their letters to include their spiritual and intellectual aspects of life.
All the letters sent to your students are interesting and enjoyable but you can find very special letters in this package of letters. Almost every student from our school colored a picture or drew this own to send to his/her friend in the USA. In both cases, they are expressing themselves in a way they find appropriate to them. I just want you to know that there are some new students in some classes at school, which is why you find some general letters without specifying the name. Please give them to your students and let them reply to these students so they will become new friends.
Butros closed by notifying Bill of the birth of his son, Milad, and wishing the best to Bill, his family, and all the teachers and students at St. Marys of Piscataway. There is a personal closeness that has developed between the two men who coordinate the Beacons of Hope program between the two schools.
The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) on behalf of partnered Christian schools manages the Beacons of Hope Program. The Beacons program is an interfaith effort led by Christians where communications "in Christ" are essential. This program is not a secular, politically correct program, but is, rather, the essence of Christian outreach. It is shaped for the younger disciple as a vehicle for exercising works of mercy. As the language of Christ is shared, both Christian and Moslem children alike who attend the Christian schools in the Holy Land experience the spiritual love of American Christians, who are personally concerned for their welfare.
First through Sixth Grades
The Kindergarten classes colored in Xerox copies of Christmas symbols such as Christmas trees, Santa Claus, bells, toys, and snowmen. It takes so long for the cycle of letters between America and the West Bank that they expect the Americans to write for Christmas. Older pupils wrote their names in English and wished for a Merry Christmas.
The 2nd and 3rd grades did the same as the Kindergarten. None of the children addressed their letters to someone specific. Apparently, they are too young to make such a personal association.
Creativity is evident in a big way by the 4th Grade. Some of the children have chosen a specific fiend to write to, such as with Ibrahim who writes in script to Joey, I am in fourth grade now. We began our school one week ago. I like sport specially football. I'm very happy to know you. I hope we will be friends forever.
On the other hand, Jameel did not know anybody, so he wrote a letter in introduction on the computer as shown on this page. It looks like he had some help from a parent. Most of the letter is about his summer vacation. With the pasties and colors Jameel shows an openhearted enthusiasm for life.
Religious themes are evident in the letters from the 5th Grade. For example, Evait writes to Tyler, Thank you for praying for me. I pray for you too and your family.
There are connections between the children that extend to relatives who live in America. Many of the native Christians from Aboud have immigrated to the West as can be seen in this letter from Hamza Ali to Tiara Glover, Next year at summer Im going to Chicago in America. I am too happy.
The turn over in pupils can be seen in a letter from Sandy Issam to Alex, Im writing for you instead of Ahmed because he left the school. My name is Snady. I am beautiful girl. I am in class five in Latin School.
Seventh Through Ninth Grades
The older children are more expansive in their topics. Children draw their churches or mosques. The children represent the Christian community and the moderate Moslems who want their children to get a western schooling. They send pictures of themselves.
A glimpse of Aboud is seen in the following quotes. Mayson writes to Joey, My village is small and there are several shops in my village. There are 2200 persons live here, and it is a very ancient place. Amer writes to Coitie, There are a lot of shops and several schools in my village. Ola writes to Alex, The families live in Aboud are 360. In Aboud [there are] many ruins; for example the Church of St. Barbara, Church of Orthodox. There are in Aboud a library and park. I like to live in my village, because I like it very much. Laureen writes to Adam, There are seven churches in Aboud. Jamer writes to Billy, I live in a village Aboud. It a very small village near Ramallah... Its four kilometers from Ramallah. Yazan writes to Jason, There are many olive trees in my village. Jannet writes to Mary, There are& nine churches but now 3 churches, a mosque, three clinics, three olive presses and three water springs.
Some of the letters are answering questions from the last letters, such as this one from Kamil to Abby, I get angry when my parents yell at me. I get mad when I make mistakes at school work although I know the answer. Yes, I like school& Yes, I have a dog. Yes, I do& Do you play any sports? What makes you angry?
Kareema writes to Jessica, I felt very happy when I read your letter, but I felt sad because you didnt send your picture. But please next time your picture and the picture of you boy friend too. Then Ill send a picture of me with my friends. I hope you and your boy friend good luck in the National Karate and I to you more gold medals. 
Zeid of the 8th Grade wrote to Allison a nice letter about family and friends. Yet on his attached drawing, he imaged the principle problem of the wall construction cutting up Aboud. He drew the wall in five partitions with barbed wire on top. The dove of peace was tangled in the barbed wire and was wounded.
Jousef of the 9th Grade asks Jen Do you think boys are more intelligent than boys? I bet Jen has no doubts.
The children have an amazing attitude that shields themselves from the stress that is ongoing in their country. They are aware of what is happening, but the optimism and outward yearning of youth keeps them buoyant above the turmoil. But perhaps Rimon says it better in his letter to Jessika, pray for Palestine to be in it hope, love and peace.
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