Holy Land: Education as a crucial tool of hope in the darkest of times

Holy Land: Education as a crucial tool of hope in the darkest of times

Vatican news

As Israeli bombs continue to hit schools in the Gaza Strip, the director general of Latin Patriarchate schools in Palestine and secretary general of Christian schools in the region, speaks about the effects of the ongoing war on students and its commitment to teaching peacemaking and conflict resolution through dialogue.

By Olivier Bonnel and Linda Bordoni

The war has brought a level of trauma that leaves no one unscathed, said Father Yakoub Rafidi. It has “a very profound impact on students”, he added, pointing out that in a “normal” situation, around 20 percent of students in the Palestinian territories need psychological support, but today this number has increased exponentially.

“Now we can say that everyone needs psychological treatment because of blood, conflict, destruction and war,” he stressed.

Speaking to Vatican media, the director general of schools of the Latin Patriarchate of Palestine and secretary general of Christian schools in the region highlighted the impact of violence on students.

And beyond the emotional wounds, he also highlighted the dire economic situation that has left more than 300,000 Palestinian workers, dependent on their jobs in Israel, unable to work for more than a year.

This, he continued, compounded by salary cuts for those employed by the Palestinian Authority, has left families struggling.

“Our Christians, especially in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, work in tourism and pilgrimage,” he noted, “but now there are no more pilgrims, no more tourism.”

As a result, he added, many families cannot afford tuition, further straining an already crumbling education system.

Education as a weapon of hope

Despite the immense challenges, Father Rafidi remains steadfast in his belief in the power of education. “Education is a weapon of change for a better future,” he said.

Expressing concern that schools must remain places of refuge for children, he said they must provide not only physical safety, but also a sense of purpose and hope.

In our schools, he said, teachers work hard to create an atmosphere in which students can escape the daily reality of violence: “We try to make school a unique place of refuge for our children . »

However, he added, it is not easy to talk about peace in blood: “It is difficult to talk about peace when there is war, martyrs and blood around us. »

Faced with daily violence, he explained that his team of educators insists on teaching peaceful conflict resolution, promoting dialogue and respect as alternatives to conflict.

“We help children understand that violence does not solve problems; dialogue and respect for others are,” he noted.

Through concrete actions, such as promoting peaceful models and encouraging students to engage in dialogue, they are trying to mitigate the impact of the violence that permeates their daily lives, Father Rafidi said, but the limits are clear: “We can only take very limited measures. measures” while “violence surrounds our schools, and these are things we cannot change”.

Gaza: a huge challenge

Father Rafidi recalled how one of the two Patriarchate schools in Gaza was destroyed, leaving only one functioning school under extreme duress.

With limited access to food and water, teachers struggle to create a semblance of normalcy for their students: “There is no education in Gaza except in our convent, at the Church of the Holy -Family, where we accommodate 700 people, including 150 children,” he said, reiterating that running a school amid bombings, shortages and constant fear is a huge challenge.

“It is very difficult,” especially because of the catastrophic humanitarian situation, Father Rafidi explained, but with the help of the Patriarchate, the school continues its efforts to provide education, even if the circumstances are difficult.

Pope’s call for prayer and peace

Faced with these immense difficulties, Father Rafidi says he draws his strength from faith.

On October 7, 2024, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, responding to Pope Francis’ call for a global day of fasting and prayer for peace, will join Christians around the world in praying for an end to violence in the Holy Land, confirmed Father Rafidi.

This, he continues, is not only symbolic but essential: “With God, we can do everything (…) but with humans, it is impossible because political and economic interests intervene”.

Stressing his belief that true peace cannot be achieved solely through political negotiations or international diplomacy, he said: “World peace is based on personal and political interests, but with God we can have peace. true peace.”

Hope and mission

Despite the challenges of war, economic collapse and a seemingly endless cycle of violence, Father Rafidi says he is convinced that education is crucial to shaping a better future.

Its mission, he added, remains clear: to continue to offer children an education based on human and spiritual values, even in the darkest times.

“Without hope, we cannot continue,” concluded Father Rafidi, and education is a valuable source of this hope.

Vatican news

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