BETHLEHEM, West Bank (OSV News) – In the city where the Prince of Peace was born – peace feels heartbreakingly distant – especially for children.
Amid the Israel-Hamas war in the nearby Gaza Strip, one Catholic-run orphanage in the West Bank offers a refuge of love and stability.
Polish Sister Szczepana Hrehorowicz of the Sisters of St. Elizabeth has been sharing her life with children who have no one else for several years now. For them, she becomes a mother, a nurse, a teacher and – perhaps most importantly – someone who looks at them with love.
“I came to the ‘House of Peace’ in Bethlehem in February 2014. Before that, I worked on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, where I also took care of children from families in need. However, the situation of Palestinians living in the autonomous region is definitely more difficult,” Sr. Szczepana told OSV News.
When Israel built a wall separating the country from the Palestinian territories in 2003, poverty, lack of jobs and separation from their own cultivation areas started to affect the Palestinian community. In 2010, the sisters decided to open a place of shelter for children from dysfunctional families, or those simply too poor to bring them up.
The house hosts children of all ages, from infants to teenagers. Most of them are Muslims. They come from families often affected by violence. Some have been abandoned by their parents, others taken away by the court. There are also orphans – children who have lost their loved ones during the war.
For many of them, life has brought only suffering. The orphanage is the first home where they are safe. And the first where they can fall asleep without fear, Sr. Szczepana told OSV News.
The children have their own home-like daily routine here: shared meals, school, play, learning, but above all, they receive presence, stability and tenderness.
“Every day, we care for 45 children aged 4 to adulthood. We give them love, a sense of security and self-esteem. We do everything in our power to ensure that our pupils are as well-educated and prepared for their future lives as possible. They have the opportunity to develop their abilities and interests,” Sr. Szczepana explained to OSV News.
The situation of Palestinian children today is dramatic. Bethlehem, although considered a city of spiritual significance, is one of the places most affected by the effects of years of conflict. The separation wall is not only an obstacle to travel – it is a symbol of isolation and hopelessness, the sisters emphasize.
Read more: https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/catholic-run-orphanage-in-bethlehem-offers-a-refuge-of-love-stability-amid-ongoing-war
By OSVNews & detroitcatholic.com
