A few more thoughts from this morning's post...

I have a couple of things that I didn't mention in the post this morning...

1. When I say intimidating about the checkpoints, I mean that I saw a man pointing a large gun at a civilian Palestinian taxi driver who was standing some distance away from the guards and who was asking them questions. There was a delay in letting cars through or something, and their time is money, so I suppose he was anxious to be on his way. The boys (and I mean boys...they didn't look much older than my students in middle school) seemed as nervous as a new bride. We went through with no problems, and the only time we were stopped at an impromptu checkpoint, which they periodically set up in a random place, the guards asked the driver where he was from and where he was going. I don't think anyone can get used to any of this. A human being has the right to live without this kind of fear and intimidation...every human being.

2. I have the link to Relief International for you. I think their work is inspiring, and they have amazing projects in areas of the world that struggle to live through each moment of the day. They work with teachers and students, and the numbers of people they are able to touch really is staggering...something like 8000 people just in one proposed grant in Palestine. Their work is admirable, to say the least.

http://ri.org/program3.php

And this is the Relief International/Schools Online link:

http://friendshipthrougheducation.org/sonline.htm

If you have a few minutes, please read about their work. They are gifted and tireless in their efforts to provide education, dignity, freedom, and a future for our children in this world.

Much love,

Victoria : )