Reference :
V-P-IL-E-02998
Date :
19/04/2017
Caption :
Northern Gaza, Jabalia camp. This 19-year-old woman and her brother have both been visually impaired from birth. They were able to go to a special school in Bethlehem thanks to the ICRC.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
Between the ages of three and six, her father allowed her and her brother to go to a special school in Bethlehem (Al-Shourouq School) for the visually impaired. There was no school in the Gaza Strip at the time that could offer her and her brother proper care.
In 2000, following the start of the second intifada, getting a permit to travel from Gaza to the West Bank became more and more difficult. She who was six years old at the time and could not get to her school. Her father approached the ICRC for help, knowing it was an organisation dealing with humanitarian cases. As a result, the ICRC began transporting her and her brother to and from the school for the blind in Bethlehem at the beginning and end of each term. The ICRC also facilitated their visits to their parents in Gaza every six months, until they were able to complete their secondary education and return to Gaza.
She reminisces about her time living in Bethlehem: “My life was beautiful. I had more freedom there. I could travel without restrictions. On the other hand, I am now with my family and parents whom I love.” She spent a big part of her young life in the West Bank; she misses the friends she made there but is in contact with them through Facebook. Her best memories are of the times that she and her friends in Bethlehem spent together exploring new cities and discovering the beauties of nature.
She can still remember the names of all the ICRC staff members who used to help her travel and she praises them for their support. “When I was late for the crossing, I always found them waiting for me and offering every assistance to facilitate my travel.”
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
5376x3583
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
