*march 3, Sejah al Helo, her re-training herself to use her right arm after she was shot by Israeli soldiers during Israel’s 3 week war on Gaza. Sejah’s grandfather, baby sister, and elder brother were all killed.
*April 8: a month later, Sejah is healthy and strong
After sending a few nice photos to my friend outside of Gaza, she replied:
“I cannot tell you how much those pictures you sent lifted my spirits. I always picture you in war torn buildings.”
I decided, in these times of on-going suffering –when nothing has improved in Gaza, when hundreds of thousands of tons of aid are still being denied entry, when West Bank Palestinians are being martyred while protesting or abducted and added to the 11,000 political prisoners Israel holds –to share some images of life continuing, of glimpses of happiness and beauty… when all the odds are stacked against Palestinians.
*ruins of fruit and vegetable stand I frequented, destroyed by Israeli shellings.
*new structure, life goes on, when possible. photo: Tales to Tell
*falafel shop during a power outage.
*the children of dear friends in Ezbet Abed Rabbo, one of the regions most savagely attacked and ravaged in Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
*shared meals with those friends.
*talented drummer, singer, and dancer, glad to show off his skills.
*kite-flying in Rafah
*glorious lentils!
*al Faraheen village, east of Khan Younis
*onions we helped to plant
*innovative mini-greenhouse, incubating hot chili plants
*Jaber Rjila with previous year’s chili harvest
*Yara!
*Sobheh!
*cleaning radishes [photo by Donna Wallach]
*cleaning radishes [photo by Donna Wallach]
*boat origami
*bread oven
*meal whipped up for our visit
*Salim, our tae kwan do instructor extraordinaire!
*hall near the gym used for my tae kwan do lessons in the shelled and burnt-out al Quds hospital.
*4th floor: the peacock marks when to stop climbing stairs
*kindergarten near a friend’s apartment. The outdoor setting, calm and quiet, away from the busy main street, is the perfect setting for a Friday afternoon grill.
*some of the medics who risk their lives in the face of Israeli bombing and sniping; unwinding with their kids.
*Oct 2008 Concert for Peace, Gaza city
In Gaza 
[…] teenage soldiers or remote controlled automated towers. Yet of the farmers who harvest any thing, they share willingly. And it is fresh, luscious produce. Were they able to grow all the vegetables and tend the […]