Aid to the Children of Gaza Discussions - iPeace.us2024-03-28T19:21:57Zhttps://ipeace.us/group/aidtothchildrenofgaza/forum?feed=yes&xn_auth=noCrave Energy........Fuel Your Human Engine..................................tag:ipeace.us,2011-08-10:2217368:Topic:30634022011-08-10T23:02:06.352Zmaurie j. campanellahttps://ipeace.us/profile/mauriejcampanella
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<p> </p> Spirit of Humanity taken illigallytag:ipeace.us,2009-07-03:2217368:Topic:18128962009-07-03T01:52:19.034Zmarysehttps://ipeace.us/profile/maryse
Many people from around the world have spent the last two days writing letters and calling elected officials, demanding that Israel release the 'Spirit of Humanity' humanitarian aid boat, its cargo, and crew. But we must do more. Over the next several days, US Congress will be on holiday recess, a new humanitarian aid convoy led by Viva Palestina will attempt to enter Gaza, and the fate of the 21 civilians being held in Israel remains uncertain. Let's keep the media focused on this…
Many people from around the world have spent the last two days writing letters and calling elected officials, demanding that Israel release the 'Spirit of Humanity' humanitarian aid boat, its cargo, and crew. But we must do more. Over the next several days, US Congress will be on holiday recess, a new humanitarian aid convoy led by Viva Palestina will attempt to enter Gaza, and the fate of the 21 civilians being held in Israel remains uncertain. Let's keep the media focused on this matter.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Members of the Free Gaza Movement, a group of civilians from 10 countries who launched this initiative, include Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire and former US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The 'Spirit of Humanity' was taken, illegally, from international waters.<br />
The aid was being delivered in the wake of a 22-day military assault against the Gaza Strip last winter, in which Amnesty International has charged the Israeli military with "reckless conduct, disregard for civilian lives and property, and a consistent failure to distinguish between military targets and civilians and civilian objects."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Gaza Strip has also been subjected to a crippling blockade for two years, in which the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza have been at the whim of the Israeli military. The people of Gaza face severe shortages of medicine, food, and materials that are necessary for rebuilding homes after the war.<br />
<br />
<br />
The human rights activists who are being held in Israel need our support. We can build the pressure necessary to secure their release and prevent such seizures in the future. We can support the Free Gaza Movement by making sure the press covers this incident and people are aware of it. FREE EZRA NAWItag:ipeace.us,2009-06-11:2217368:Topic:17409772009-06-11T01:02:14.300Zmarysehttps://ipeace.us/profile/maryse
Gordon<br />
<br />
<br />
Every so often someone comes along who is so brave and so inspiring that you just can't sit by and remain silent when you learn they need your help.<br />
<br />
We're writing to you today about one of these rare people.<br />
<br />
His name is Ezra Nawi.<br />
<br />
You've probably never heard of him, but because you may know our names, now you will know his name.<br />
<br />
Ezra Nawi is one of Israel's most courageous human rights activists and without your help, he will likely go to jail in less than 30 days.<br />
<br />
His crime? He…
Gordon<br />
<br />
<br />
Every so often someone comes along who is so brave and so inspiring that you just can't sit by and remain silent when you learn they need your help.<br />
<br />
We're writing to you today about one of these rare people.<br />
<br />
His name is Ezra Nawi.<br />
<br />
You've probably never heard of him, but because you may know our names, now you will know his name.<br />
<br />
Ezra Nawi is one of Israel's most courageous human rights activists and without your help, he will likely go to jail in less than 30 days.<br />
<br />
His crime? He tried to stop a military bulldozer from destroying the homes of Palestinian Bedouins in the South Hebron region. These homes and the families who live in them have been under Israeli occupation for 42 years. They still live without electricity, running water and other basic services. They are continuously harassed by Jewish settlers and the military.<br />
<br />
Nawi's friends have launched a campaign to generate tens of thousands of letters to Israeli embassies all over the world before he is due to be sentenced in July. They've asked for your help.<br />
<br />
His name is Ezra Nawi<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
His name is Ezra Nawi.<br />
<br />
We keep saying his name because we believe that the more people know him and know his name, the harder it will be for the Israeli military to send him quietly to jail.<br />
<br />
And Ezra Nawi is anything but quiet.<br />
<br />
He is a Jewish Israeli of Iraqi descent who speaks fluent Arabic.<br />
<br />
He is a gay man in his fifties and a plumber by trade.<br />
<br />
He has dedicated his life to helping those who are trampled on. He has stood by Jewish single mothers who pitched tents in front of the Knesset while struggling for a living wage, and by Palestinians threatened with expulsion from their homes.<br />
<br />
He is loved by those with little power, to whom he dedicates his life, and hated by the Jewish settlers, military and police.<br />
<br />
Now that you know Ezra, you have a chance to stand up for him, and for everything that he represents. Especially now, as Israel escalates its crackdown on human rights and pro-democracy activists.<br />
<br />
He needs you. His friends need you. Those he helps every day need you. So please send a letter to the Consulate, to the media, to your family and friends.<br />
<br />
Take just a moment to write your letter. Do it now. And then share his name with a friend. Do it for Ezra Nawi.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, and Neve Gordon Help Patient Children In Gazatag:ipeace.us,2009-04-08:2217368:Topic:14664422009-04-08T15:54:38.170ZMohammedhttps://ipeace.us/profile/Mohammed
Since last month I was very busy in a sick little girl from Gaza her name Sara, She is very sick and need Urgent sergury, but her father failed to send her in Israeli hospitals nor to Egyption hospitals.<br />
You know crossroads closed and the siege in Gaza.<br />
This horrible situation makes me very sad because Sara is one girl from hundreds need treatment outside Gaza.<br />
So I want from every one can help those children to do his best for this aim.<br />
I know that every one read that want to do something can…
Since last month I was very busy in a sick little girl from Gaza her name Sara, She is very sick and need Urgent sergury, but her father failed to send her in Israeli hospitals nor to Egyption hospitals.<br />
You know crossroads closed and the siege in Gaza.<br />
This horrible situation makes me very sad because Sara is one girl from hundreds need treatment outside Gaza.<br />
So I want from every one can help those children to do his best for this aim.<br />
I know that every one read that want to do something can make som change in this situation, but I dont believe that is impossible thing.<br />
<br />
I want from you to give me opinios for this, and I am sure that we will have at last a solution.<br />
Big thanks for every one interest in this and share us this important problem which we face . I want to share condolence with my Italian friendstag:ipeace.us,2009-04-07:2217368:Topic:14609092009-04-07T09:33:14.748ZMuhammad Khurshidhttps://ipeace.us/profile/MuhammadKhurshid
Today my heart is weeping after hearing the news that an davasted earthquake has jolted Italy, the country of my dearest friend luisella valeri. I want to condole with the families who have suffered losses in the earthquake. I am praying that God the Great may give courage to the bereaved families to bear this loss with patience.<br />
I am living in an area which has been davasted by the war and know the pain of the people, who lost their homes in the clamity. It is very hard as I know. I have also…
Today my heart is weeping after hearing the news that an davasted earthquake has jolted Italy, the country of my dearest friend luisella valeri. I want to condole with the families who have suffered losses in the earthquake. I am praying that God the Great may give courage to the bereaved families to bear this loss with patience.<br />
I am living in an area which has been davasted by the war and know the pain of the people, who lost their homes in the clamity. It is very hard as I know. I have also lost my home in the war.<br />
Dear luisella valeri, people in tribal areas are praying for your well-being. I hope you will be okay. May God the Great save you from destruction.<br />
Those people who are caring for others are certainly being cared by God the Great. May God the Great save you from destruction. I want to share my condolence with all the people Italy. May God the Great save this country from further destruction. B.B.C. report on traumatized childrentag:ipeace.us,2009-03-04:2217368:Topic:12981142009-03-04T11:49:15.183Zmarysehttps://ipeace.us/profile/maryse
Page last updated at 08:10 GMT, Wednesday, 4 March 2009<br />
E-mail this to a friend Printable version<br />
Struggle to help Gaza's traumatised<br />
<br />
Hala Awersha (left) and her mother Wafa, in their tent in al-Atatra, northern Gaza<br />
Hala, 7, has stopped speaking since her brother's death, and covers her head when he is mentioned<br />
<br />
By Heather Sharp<br />
BBC News, Gaza<br />
<br />
Omsyat, 12, has become nervous and aggressive, Hala, 7, has completely stopped speaking and Sobhy, 11, burned the toys he was brought with a candle,…
Page last updated at 08:10 GMT, Wednesday, 4 March 2009<br />
E-mail this to a friend Printable version<br />
Struggle to help Gaza's traumatised<br />
<br />
Hala Awersha (left) and her mother Wafa, in their tent in al-Atatra, northern Gaza<br />
Hala, 7, has stopped speaking since her brother's death, and covers her head when he is mentioned<br />
<br />
By Heather Sharp<br />
BBC News, Gaza<br />
<br />
Omsyat, 12, has become nervous and aggressive, Hala, 7, has completely stopped speaking and Sobhy, 11, burned the toys he was brought with a candle, says their mother, Wafa Awersha.<br />
<br />
Psychiatric nurse Rowiya Hamam nods as she sits on a thin mattress on floor of the tent in al-Atatra in northern Gaza.<br />
<br />
In what is now their home, Mrs Awersha updates her on how the five children are coping with their brother's death in the recent conflict.<br />
<br />
Sobhy Awersha, 11, in tent in al-Atatra, Gaza<br />
Sobhy stares at the floor fiddling with a toy as he is asked about his loss<br />
Ibrahim, 9, was hit by Israeli bullets on 4 January and died before his siblings' eyes, with their injured parents barely conscious nearby, the family say.<br />
<br />
His body lay for four days outside their house before the fighting waned enough for neighbours to take it away on a donkey cart.<br />
<br />
Israel blames civilian casualties on militants' practice of operating from populated areas and says Palestinian fighters fired at its forces during the daily unilateral three-hour ceasefire it instituted to allow emergency workers to reach the dead and injured.<br />
<br />
Several hundred of the 1,300 Palestinian deaths were children and some accounts of civilian deaths have raised concerns of war crimes.<br />
<br />
After Ibrahim's death, Sobhy began behaving like his sibling and asking to be called Ibrahim, Ms Hamam says.<br />
<br />
"School's fine," he says, when asked. "I like maths." But he stares at the ground and tears soon well in his eyes.<br />
<br />
<br />
Drawing by Shahed, 5, Jabaliya, Gaza<br />
<br />
Audio gallery: Children's drawings<br />
Mrs Awersha says he used to be top in his class, but he struggles to concentrate now.<br />
<br />
Hala covers her head with a blanket whenever Ibrahim is mentioned, while Diya, 3, beheaded the soft toys he was given, Ms Hamam says.<br />
<br />
'For my kids'<br />
<br />
Ms Hamam is one of a team of mental health workers in Gaza that say they have been "overwhelmed" by the scale of the needs since the conflict.<br />
<br />
She has visited the Awersha family several times, bringing toys and games, trying to help the children express their feelings and teaching them deep breathing exercises.<br />
<br />
Mrs Awersha smiles and teases the children as she scrapes the girls' matted hair into pony tails and helps them put on the school smocks rescued from the rubble of their home. The tent buzzes with fat, black flies.<br />
<br />
Mrs Awersha exhales hard when asked how she is coping. And then the tears flow.<br />
<br />
Wafa' Awersha and her son Sobhy, al-Atatra, Gaza<br />
Wafa says she jokes with her children, but cries when she is alone<br />
"Maybe you found me making people laugh, but honestly I'm doing this just for my kids," she says.<br />
<br />
Whenever she goes back to her bulldozed home and stands in the spot where Ibrahim was killed, she weeps and weeps, she says.<br />
<br />
Gaza's mental health professionals have been working flat out in schools, kindergartens, clinics, homes and tents to try to help similar cases.<br />
<br />
Hassan Zeyada, who heads the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme's centre in Gaza City, and his colleague, psychiatrist Sami Owaida, say they are exhausted.<br />
<br />
"Many of our colleagues lost relatives. We have to give support, but sometimes we feel that we need support," says Dr Oweida.<br />
<br />
Dr Zeyada also points out the difficulty of treating "ongoing and continuous trauma" in a place where a long-term political solution remains elusive.<br />
<br />
"Sometimes you feel you are wasting your efforts. Another invasion, another war, another attack will happen - you feel they will demolish or destroy all your efforts," he says.<br />
<br />
Anxiety<br />
<br />
Ongoing trauma too plagues the residents of Israel's southern towns, who live under the constant threat of Palestinian rocket fire, with about 8,000 rockets and mortars fired since 2001.<br />
<br />
At least 18 people have been killed in that time. Children under eight have known little else but a constantly heightened state of anxiety.<br />
<br />
<br />
Girl examines rocket damage in Sderot, 05.01.09<br />
<br />
Children hit hard as Gaza toll rises<br />
Sderot longs for end to rockets<br />
And even after the recent fighting, which Israel said was aimed at reducing the rocket fire, a steady flow of rockets and mortars has continued.<br />
<br />
But while mental health workers on both sides say at least 20-30% of the population suffers symptoms of trauma, the Israeli south is clearly better equipped to tackle the problems than Gaza.<br />
<br />
GCMHP say there are only five clinical psychiatrists in Gaza trained to international standards, and no clinical psychologists.<br />
<br />
'Basics for life'<br />
<br />
John Jenkins, the World Health Organization's mental health project manager for the West Bank and Gaza , says that, as well as difficulties in getting people with the right skills into Gaza , shortages of drugs such as tranquilisers and antidepressants are a constant problem.<br />
<br />
He says it is too early to assess the scale of the mental health needs from the recent conflict, as the impact of trauma takes time to emerge.<br />
<br />
Wafa Awersha, outside the tent where she is living with her husband and five children<br />
Living in a tent makes it harder for children to regain a sense of normality<br />
<br />
But human beings' ability to deal with stress is "quite remarkable", he says, and the majority of people do not need specialist treatment.<br />
<br />
"What people really need are the basic things in life," he says, such as reliable food supplies, a secure place to live and prospects for work. This should "absolutely" be the priority, he says.<br />
<br />
But as Ms Hamam traipses away past the rows of tents, while children in flip-flops clamour at her to bring them shoes, she says that for the Awersha children, the conditions will make recovery harder.<br />
<br />
"Before the war, they had their routine - come home, watch TV, write their homework, but in the tent it's very difficult."<br />
<br />
"It will take too much time for them to recover," she says shaking her head sadly.<br />
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Page last updated at 08:10 GMT, Wednesday, 4 March 2009<br />
E-mail this to a friend Printable version<br />
Struggle to help Gaza's traumatised<br />
<br />
Hala Awersha (left) and her mother Wafa, in their tent in al-Atatra, northern Gaza<br />
Hala, 7, has stopped speaking since her brother's death, and covers her head when he is mentioned<br />
<br />
By Heather Sharp<br />
BBC News, Gaza<br />
<br />
Omsyat, 12, has become nervous and aggressive, Hala, 7, has completely stopped speaking and Sobhy, 11, burned the toys he was brought with a candle, says their mother, Wafa Awersha.<br />
<br />
Psychiatric nurse Rowiya Hamam nods as she sits on a thin mattress on floor of the tent in al-Atatra in northern Gaza.<br />
<br />
In what is now their home, Mrs Awersha updates her on how the five children are coping with their brother's death in the recent conflict.<br />
<br />
Sobhy Awersha, 11, in tent in al-Atatra, Gaza<br />
Sobhy stares at the floor fiddling with a toy as he is asked about his loss<br />
Ibrahim, 9, was hit by Israeli bullets on 4 January and died before his siblings' eyes, with their injured parents barely conscious nearby, the family say.<br />
<br />
His body lay for four days outside their house before the fighting waned enough for neighbours to take it away on a donkey cart.<br />
<br />
Israel blames civilian casualties on militants' practice of operating from populated areas and says Palestinian fighters fired at its forces during the daily unilateral three-hour ceasefire it instituted to allow emergency workers to reach the dead and injured.<br />
<br />
Several hundred of the 1,300 Palestinian deaths were children and some accounts of civilian deaths have raised concerns of war crimes.<br />
<br />
After Ibrahim's death, Sobhy began behaving like his sibling and asking to be called Ibrahim, Ms Hamam says.<br />
<br />
"School's fine," he says, when asked. "I like maths." But he stares at the ground and tears soon well in his eyes.<br />
<br />
<br />
Drawing by Shahed, 5, Jabaliya, Gaza<br />
<br />
Audio gallery: Children's drawings<br />
Mrs Awersha says he used to be top in his class, but he struggles to concentrate now.<br />
<br />
Hala covers her head with a blanket whenever Ibrahim is mentioned, while Diya, 3, beheaded the soft toys he was given, Ms Hamam says.<br />
<br />
'For my kids'<br />
<br />
Ms Hamam is one of a team of mental health workers in Gaza that say they have been "overwhelmed" by the scale of the needs since the conflict.<br />
<br />
She has visited the Awersha family several times, bringing toys and games, trying to help the children express their feelings and teaching them deep breathing exercises.<br />
<br />
Mrs Awersha smiles and teases the children as she scrapes the girls' matted hair into pony tails and helps them put on the school smocks rescued from the rubble of their home. The tent buzzes with fat, black flies.<br />
<br />
Mrs Awersha exhales hard when asked how she is coping. And then the tears flow.<br />
<br />
Wafa' Awersha and her son Sobhy, al-Atatra, Gaza<br />
Wafa says she jokes with her children, but cries when she is alone<br />
"Maybe you found me making people laugh, but honestly I'm doing this just for my kids," she says.<br />
<br />
Whenever she goes back to her bulldozed home and stands in the spot where Ibrahim was killed, she weeps and weeps, she says.<br />
<br />
Gaza's mental health professionals have been working flat out in schools, kindergartens, clinics, homes and tents to try to help similar cases.<br />
<br />
Hassan Zeyada, who heads the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme's centre in Gaza City, and his colleague, psychiatrist Sami Owaida, say they are exhausted.<br />
<br />
"Many of our colleagues lost relatives. We have to give support, but sometimes we feel that we need support," says Dr Oweida.<br />
<br />
Dr Zeyada also points out the difficulty of treating "ongoing and continuous trauma" in a place where a long-term political solution remains elusive.<br />
<br />
"Sometimes you feel you are wasting your efforts. Another invasion, another war, another attack will happen - you feel they will demolish or destroy all your efforts," he says.<br />
<br />
Anxiety<br />
<br />
Ongoing trauma too plagues the residents of Israel's southern towns, who live under the constant threat of Palestinian rocket fire, with about 8,000 rockets and mortars fired since 2001.<br />
<br />
At least 18 people have been killed in that time. Children under eight have known little else but a constantly heightened state of anxiety.<br />
<br />
<br />
Girl examines rocket damage in Sderot, 05.01.09<br />
<br />
Children hit hard as Gaza toll rises<br />
Sderot longs for end to rockets<br />
And even after the recent fighting, which Israel said was aimed at reducing the rocket fire, a steady flow of rockets and mortars has continued.<br />
<br />
But while mental health workers on both sides say at least 20-30% of the population suffers symptoms of trauma, the Israeli south is clearly better equipped to tackle the problems than Gaza.<br />
<br />
GCMHP say there are only five clinical psychiatrists in Gaza trained to international standards, and no clinical psychologists.<br />
<br />
'Basics for life'<br />
<br />
John Jenkins, the World Health Organization's mental health project manager for the West Bank and Gaza , says that, as well as difficulties in getting people with the right skills into Gaza , shortages of drugs such as tranquilisers and antidepressants are a constant problem.<br />
<br />
He says it is too early to assess the scale of the mental health needs from the recent conflict, as the impact of trauma takes time to emerge.<br />
<br />
Wafa Awersha, outside the tent where she is living with her husband and five children<br />
Living in a tent makes it harder for children to regain a sense of normality<br />
<br />
But human beings' ability to deal with stress is "quite remarkable", he says, and the majority of people do not need specialist treatment.<br />
<br />
"What people really need are the basic things in life," he says, such as reliable food supplies, a secure place to live and prospects for work. This should "absolutely" be the priority, he says.<br />
<br />
But as Ms Hamam traipses away past the rows of tents, while children in flip-flops clamour at her to bring them shoes, she says that for the Awersha children, the conditions will make recovery harder.<br />
<br />
"Before the war, they had their routine - come home, watch TV, write their homework, but in the tent it's very difficult."<br />
<br />
"It will take too much time for them to recover," she says shaking her head sadly.<br />
<br />
<br />
Africa<br />
Americas<br />
Asia-Pacific<br />
Europe<br />
Middle East<br />
South Asia<br />
UK<br />
Business<br />
Health<br />
Science & Environment<br />
Technology<br />
Entertainment<br />
Also in the news<br />
-----------------<br />
Video and Audio<br />
-----------------<br />
Have Your Say<br />
In Pictures<br />
Country Profiles<br />
Special Reports<br />
Related BBC sites<br />
<br />
* Sport<br />
* Weather<br />
* On This Day<br />
* Editors' Blog<br />
* BBC World Service<br />
<br />
Site Version<br />
<br />
* UK Version<br />
* International Version<br />
* About the versions<br />
<br />
Languages<br />
<br />
* Arabic<br />
* Persian<br />
* Pashto<br />
* Turkish<br />
* French<br />
* More<br />
<br />
<br />
Page last updated at 08:10 GMT, Wednesday, 4 March 2009<br />
E-mail this to a friend Printable version<br />
Struggle to help Gaza's traumatised<br />
<br />
Hala Awersha (left) and her mother Wafa, in their tent in al-Atatra, northern Gaza<br />
Hala, 7, has stopped speaking since her brother's death, and covers her head when he is mentioned<br />
<br />
By Heather Sharp<br />
BBC News, Gaza<br />
<br />
Omsyat, 12, has become nervous and aggressive, Hala, 7, has completely stopped speaking and Sobhy, 11, burned the toys he was brought with a candle, says their mother, Wafa Awersha.<br />
<br />
Psychiatric nurse Rowiya Hamam nods as she sits on a thin mattress on floor of the tent in al-Atatra in northern Gaza.<br />
<br />
In what is now their home, Mrs Awersha updates her on how the five children are coping with their brother's death in the recent conflict.<br />
<br />
Sobhy Awersha, 11, in tent in al-Atatra, Gaza<br />
Sobhy stares at the floor fiddling with a toy as he is asked about his loss<br />
Ibrahim, 9, was hit by Israeli bullets on 4 January and died before his siblings' eyes, with their injured parents barely conscious nearby, the family say.<br />
<br />
His body lay for four days outside their house before the fighting waned enough for neighbours to take it away on a donkey cart.<br />
<br />
Israel blames civilian casualties on militants' practice of operating from populated areas and says Palestinian fighters fired at its forces during the daily unilateral three-hour ceasefire it instituted to allow emergency workers to reach the dead and injured.<br />
<br />
Several hundred of the 1,300 Palestinian deaths were children and some accounts of civilian deaths have raised concerns of war crimes.<br />
<br />
After Ibrahim's death, Sobhy began behaving like his sibling and asking to be called Ibrahim, Ms Hamam says.<br />
<br />
"School's fine," he says, when asked. "I like maths." But he stares at the ground and tears soon well in his eyes.<br />
<br />
<br />
Drawing by Shahed, 5, Jabaliya, Gaza<br />
<br />
Audio gallery: Children's drawings<br />
Mrs Awersha says he used to be top in his class, but he struggles to concentrate now.<br />
<br />
Hala covers her head with a blanket whenever Ibrahim is mentioned, while Diya, 3, beheaded the soft toys he was given, Ms Hamam says.<br />
<br />
'For my kids'<br />
<br />
Ms Hamam is one of a team of mental health workers in Gaza that say they have been "overwhelmed" by the scale of the needs since the conflict.<br />
<br />
She has visited the Awersha family several times, bringing toys and games, trying to help the children express their feelings and teaching them deep breathing exercises.<br />
<br />
Mrs Awersha smiles and teases the children as she scrapes the girls' matted hair into pony tails and helps them put on the school smocks rescued from the rubble of their home. The tent buzzes with fat, black flies.<br />
<br />
Mrs Awersha exhales hard when asked how she is coping. And then the tears flow.<br />
<br />
Wafa' Awersha and her son Sobhy, al-Atatra, Gaza<br />
Wafa says she jokes with her children, but cries when she is alone<br />
"Maybe you found me making people laugh, but honestly I'm doing this just for my kids," she says.<br />
<br />
Whenever she goes back to her bulldozed home and stands in the spot where Ibrahim was killed, she weeps and weeps, she says.<br />
<br />
Gaza's mental health professionals have been working flat out in schools, kindergartens, clinics, homes and tents to try to help similar cases.<br />
<br />
Hassan Zeyada, who heads the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme's centre in Gaza City, and his colleague, psychiatrist Sami Owaida, say they are exhausted.<br />
<br />
"Many of our colleagues lost relatives. We have to give support, but sometimes we feel that we need support," says Dr Oweida.<br />
<br />
Dr Zeyada also points out the difficulty of treating "ongoing and continuous trauma" in a place where a long-term political solution remains elusive.<br />
<br />
"Sometimes you feel you are wasting your efforts. Another invasion, another war, another attack will happen - you feel they will demolish or destroy all your efforts," he says.<br />
<br />
Anxiety<br />
<br />
Ongoing trauma too plagues the residents of Israel's southern towns, who live under the constant threat of Palestinian rocket fire, with about 8,000 rockets and mortars fired since 2001.<br />
<br />
At least 18 people have been killed in that time. Children under eight have known little else but a constantly heightened state of anxiety.<br />
<br />
<br />
Girl examines rocket damage in Sderot, 05.01.09<br />
<br />
Children hit hard as Gaza toll rises<br />
Sderot longs for end to rockets<br />
And even after the recent fighting, which Israel said was aimed at reducing the rocket fire, a steady flow of rockets and mortars has continued.<br />
<br />
But while mental health workers on both sides say at least 20-30% of the population suffers symptoms of trauma, the Israeli south is clearly better equipped to tackle the problems than Gaza.<br />
<br />
GCMHP say there are only five clinical psychiatrists in Gaza trained to international standards, and no clinical psychologists.<br />
<br />
'Basics for life'<br />
<br />
John Jenkins, the World Health Organization's mental health project manager for the West Bank and Gaza , says that, as well as difficulties in getting people with the right skills into Gaza , shortages of drugs such as tranquilisers and antidepressants are a constant problem.<br />
<br />
He says it is too early to assess the scale of the mental health needs from the recent conflict, as the impact of trauma takes time to emerge.<br />
<br />
Wafa Awersha, outside the tent where she is living with her husband and five children<br />
Living in a tent makes it harder for children to regain a sense of normality<br />
<br />
But human beings' ability to deal with stress is "quite remarkable", he says, and the majority of people do not need specialist treatment.<br />
<br />
"What people really need are the basic things in life," he says, such as reliable food supplies, a secure place to live and prospects for work. This should "absolutely" be the priority, he says.<br />
<br />
But as Ms Hamam traipses away past the rows of tents, while children in flip-flops clamour at her to bring them shoes, she says that for the Awersha children, the conditions will make recovery harder.<br />
<br />
"Before the war, they had their routine - come home, watch TV, write their homework, but in the tent it's very difficult."<br />
<br />
"It will take too much time for them to recover," she says shaking her head sadly. The End of the Mayan Calendar-Beginning of the New Era: Celebration of All Culturestag:ipeace.us,2009-01-30:2217368:Topic:11137532009-01-30T18:37:25.577ZRainbow Hawkhttps://ipeace.us/profile/RainbowHawk
The End of the Mayan Calendar – Beginning of the New Era:<br />
<br />
A Celebration of All Cultures<br />
<br />
We'd like to let everybody know that preparations have begun towards a Celebration of the End of the Mayan Calendar and Beginning of the New Era of Peace and Harmony.<br />
This event proper will take place in Palenque (around and in the Sacred Mayan Ruins), Chiapas, Mexico and though full dates have not yet been set it will happen around the Winter Solstice (December 21st) of 2012.<br />
It will tentatively be for…
The End of the Mayan Calendar – Beginning of the New Era:<br />
<br />
A Celebration of All Cultures<br />
<br />
We'd like to let everybody know that preparations have begun towards a Celebration of the End of the Mayan Calendar and Beginning of the New Era of Peace and Harmony.<br />
This event proper will take place in Palenque (around and in the Sacred Mayan Ruins), Chiapas, Mexico and though full dates have not yet been set it will happen around the Winter Solstice (December 21st) of 2012.<br />
It will tentatively be for the entire month of December, with The Silence Circle for World Peace and the Healing of the Mother Earth happening prior, during and after the exact timing of the changing of the Eras.<br />
We encourage peoples of all cultures to attend and bring with them the best that each culture has to share on all levels, each with their own camp set up reflecting these things. Each Cultural Camp would be encouraged to bring to the Main Circle presentations of the highest ideals of their cultures, with traditional clothing, arts, foods & beverages (we respectfully request that no alcohol or hard drugs be included in any part of this event).<br />
We are requesting that Focalizers (those who focus things)/Focalizing Groups organize in their regions around the world for group travel to the Mexico for the primary event, and also that each focalize sister events in their cultures' home regions for the same periods of time (Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere: Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere).<br />
Until an event proper Website can be set up and maintained we will be using the: rainbow_gathering@yahoo.com email address<br />
And the Facebook.com : <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=62306258632#/event.php?eid=62306258632">http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=62306258632#/event.php?eid=62306258632</a> page for open Councils focused upon this Celebration.<br />
We also more than welcome announcements of compatible events between now and then and request that each of those have Councils involved towards organizing participants, events, projects, group traveling, etc. aimed at both bringing people to Palenque and organizing the sister events in all lands.<br />
Workshops and presentations of all positive alternatives are more than welcomed so that we can present the best of what we know and can create for the dawning of the New Era, setting the Path(s) towards a sustainable future for humanity, and all life.<br />
Bring presentations of your groups existing efforts toward World Peace and Harmony with the Natural World. Although Rainbow Focalizers will be part of the core group of Focalizers, all positive alternatives groups will be included and Focalizers from each will be requested to do all that they can towards this great Celebration of Life.<br />
We ask that all political and religious differences be respected, yet that none attempt to impose their believes upon the whole, for each has the right to their own beliefs, and together we are one union of all colors and all peoples.<br />
Please forward, post, publish and share by all means this announcement to all sources you think would be interested in being a part of this.<br />
<br />
Walk in Peace<br />
Rainbow Hawk:<br />
rainbow_gathering@yahoo.com<br />
The Prophecies of the Warriors of the Rainbow:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utBkbJIYMy8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utBkbJIYMy8</a><br />
Event Group Page:<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=62306258632#/event.php?eid=62306258632">http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=62306258632#/event.php?eid=62306258632</a> Monolithic Tornado/Fire proof Dome Buildings.tag:ipeace.us,2009-01-28:2217368:Topic:11002812009-01-28T12:31:50.837ZMessianic2012 - Gordonhttps://ipeace.us/profile/GordonMuir
On my website are Monolithic Tornado/Fire proof dome buildings they are very cheap and fast to build,20 a day has been done in one area of India.<br />
<br />
This is my website<br />
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/messianic2012">http://www.myspace.com/messianic2012</a><br />
INVITATION TO JOIN UNIVERSAL PEACE FEDERATION+AMBASSADORS FOR PEACE
On my website are Monolithic Tornado/Fire proof dome buildings they are very cheap and fast to build,20 a day has been done in one area of India.<br />
<br />
This is my website<br />
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/messianic2012">http://www.myspace.com/messianic2012</a><br />
INVITATION TO JOIN UNIVERSAL PEACE FEDERATION+AMBASSADORS FOR PEACE idea for help the children in Gaza, please think with ustag:ipeace.us,2009-01-27:2217368:Topic:10973392009-01-27T21:09:08.199ZMajed Abusalamahttps://ipeace.us/profile/majedabusalama
<b>this idea make us to take fund for the children in Gaza from the fund organizations.<br />
please we have to work for the children, youth and women but we will use your skills with us.<br />
<br />
We have to change the world together. we don,t want to speak.<br />
iam looking forward to work with you and to hear from you<br />
<br />
volunteers to help with us IN IPEACE , not full time but as much as they can help to find some support, we are looking for some peopel to help in writting proposals and to help in fundraising,…</b>
<b>this idea make us to take fund for the children in Gaza from the fund organizations.<br />
please we have to work for the children, youth and women but we will use your skills with us.<br />
<br />
We have to change the world together. we don,t want to speak.<br />
iam looking forward to work with you and to hear from you<br />
<br />
volunteers to help with us IN IPEACE , not full time but as much as they can help to find some support, we are looking for some peopel to help in writting proposals and to help in fundraising, both females and males and both from palestine and for outside of palestine.<br />
<br />
enyone can help in this idea<br />
<br />
Please contact me on :<br />
MAJED ABUSALAMA<br />
Palestine<br />
GAZA<br />
majedbaitonayaraatpal@hotmail.com<br />
00972599828830</b>