In order to reward our students for participating in the writing process, we promised to share their opinions with people from all over the world. From the two hundred entries that were received for the Latin Patriarchate Writing Contest, fifty were given to UNICEF in consideration for a book being published by this organization dealing with the current situation in Palestine. We are very proud to have our student writings represented in this new publication and we are working hard to continue providing excellent English language learning in our schools during these very difficult times in the Holy Land. Furthermore, our student essays will be considered for print in "Youth Times" the local Arabic-English publication for students. Although, our workshops and meetings have come to a halt because of the closure and strict checkpoints, we are doing our best to initiate programs that continue to improve the English language. The following our excerpts from student essays:
This world is like a darkroom. I want to let the light through from
a hole in the wall. I want somebody to help me find this hole and let the
light through it, not only for one day, but forever. One of the differences
that God pointed out, between human beings and animals was that humans
should not kill each other in order to get what they want, while animals
do so to get food. Thus, I would like to point out that Israelis ignored
that difference and cancelled it from their brain…They insult us as Arabs,
Christians and Muslims.
Mariana Tams, 11th grade
Al Ahliayyah College, Ramallah
People in Palestine want the Israeli people to hear the children of
Palestine, to know how this affects them. They want to stop this massacre.
Saheer Musallam, 10th grade
Birzeit Latin Patriarchate School
I think this Holy Land is very religious, precious and holy, full of
culture and tradition. In l948, our country was annexed to the state of
Israel. I can’t believe how criminal and dangerous they were and they still
are. They are killing our children without thinking.
Liza Ibrahim Sayeg, 10th grade
Birzeit Latin Patriarchate School
Jerusalem, the city of peace has turned into a point of struggle between
Arabs and Israelis…during demonstrations Israeli security forces caused
indiscriminate lethal force which killed hundreds of Palestinians many
of whom were children under the age of 18.
Joline Fatouleh, 11th grade
Beit Jala Latin Patriarchate School
We now have more than 300 martyrs and more than 12,000 casualties because
of Israeli gun shots and bombardment…I hope that they will stop killing
my people. I feel very sorry about the situation in my homeland.
Laura Sayig, 10th grade
Birzeit Latin Patriarchate School
We wanted the real peace…a lot of houses were destroyed and a lot of
families now are homeless living in shelters. We lost a lot but we intend
to loose more in order to restore our country and to have our independent
state and its capital Jerusalem.
Katie Hodaly, 11th grade
Beit Jala Latin Patriarchate School
Will the killing of innocent people end?…hundreds of Palestinians became
martyrs in the hands of the cruel soldiers…young men and children are living
in fear by hearing the sound of bullets or bombs that are shot at civilian
houses, which is very frightening…I hope this cruelty will end as soon
as possible.
Georgette Elias Saba Samaan, 11th grade
Beit Jala Latin Patriarchate School
The world saw the Israeli soldiers killing the children, using helicopters
and tanks against unarmed people, and damaging houses and buildings. So
most of the countries support our right to have an independent state, to
have a peaceful life with security. I hope that peace will prevail and
the Palestinians have their freedom.
Hana Abudayeh, 10th grade
Birzeit Latin Patriarchate School
I hope that they will stop killing children. Palestinian children have
their rights to live free and to live a good life like other people and
other kids all over the world.
Varenal Issa Jasser, 10th grade
Birzeit Latin Patriarchate School
The massacre brought sorrow to the Palestinian people, through the destruction
of their houses and lands and the big fear that they faced in their hearts,
let alone the materialism and economy and trade losses. It did not stop
here only. They killed our children in a very criminal way…How do they
kill those pure children? They kill them without mercy. They explode their
faces and chests and snatch their lives by their mean weapons.
Meerna Jasser, 10th grade
Birzeit Latin Patriarchate School
The population in this Holy Land was living in peace until the Jews
came to it and stole this peace. And got our land, houses, etc., certainly
we resisted the Jews for over 53 years.
Rawan Jasser, 9th grade
Taybeh Latin Patriarchate School
I hope to live in peace without Jews and without weapons.
Juliana Basem Shadadeh, 10th grade
Birzeit Latin Patriarchate School
At the end, all the Palestinians and I want from the whole world is
protection, to help us get rid of Israel. We want to live safely in our
country and we want our rights.
Jenny Al Bahu, 9th grade
Beit Sahour Latin Patriarchate School