When Israeli Tanks and warplanes started their offensive in the Gaza strip it wasn't just Hamas and the Palestinian militants that suffered. Deaf children bore their share of the pain too.  The Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children in Gaza City  was forced to cease its work, due to the extremely unsafe and dangerous situation.

On the third of January 2009, the Atfaluna building was badly damaged due to the bombing of a neighboring building. The powerful explosion shattered all of Atfaluna’s windows. The damage is estimated to be around $20,000 in value. Thank God there was no fire and there were no casualties.  Atfaluna staff are  now back to work and the Atfaluna School is expected to resume on the 1st of February 2009.

Picture Ali Abu Eyada, a student in Atfaluna kindergarten. The Israeli bombing completely destroyed his home. Ali's father said "My two deaf children lost all their clothes, books, even their hearing aids."

Forty one Deaf forced to leave their homes 

It is estimated that over Over 1300 people were killed and at least 5000 were wounded in Gaza . The local infrastructure was greatly destroyed leaving 1.5 million Palestinians without electricity and water. Twenty one thousand buildings were partially or totally destroyed leaving many residents without shelter.  Deaf children and adults were not spared from this cruel war experience. They too felt the explosions shake the world around them as they saw family members injured as air raids shook their homes.   Forty one deaf students and employees of Atfaluna were forced to leave their homes.

Israelis Demolish 6 Deaf homes 

Upon returning, six of them found that their homes had been completely demolished by the Israeli attacks. Everything they had ever owned was now lost, the families had no choice but to take shelter in the schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Taghreed Abu Namoos was among the Atfaluna staff that was forced to flee her home. Having no time to take any belongings with her she now owns nothing. Taghreed and her family were delighted to see the Atfaluna bus roll up to the UNRWA school they had fled to.

Tears and Signs

With tears in her eyes Taghreed could not hide her happiness at seeing familiar faces. She signed. "I am so happy to see you; I didn't know you cared for me this much, thank you for coming to check on me."

The Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children  is reaching out to the deaf community by supplying the affected families with their most urgent needs.

Yasmeen Shalalfa, a student at Atfaluna kindergarten. Her home in Moghraga area is partially damaged, and her family lost many belongings, Atfaluna offered her some blankets and clothing. Yasmeen's mother was amazed and said "Atfaluna did not forget us even in these dark days, many thanks for every one who cares about us."

Deafened by the Bombs

The Centre also aims to conduct out-reach hearing screening and an awareness program to cover areas that were heavily affected by the bombardment. The campaign aims at detecting hearing loss among the general population as a result of the explosions. It will also increase awareness to the symptoms of hearing loss as a result of the sound of explosions among the general population.

Psychological Damage 

Ahmed Ghoneem, a student in the fourth grade at Atfaluna School, his home in Atatra area is severely damaged. He was shocked when he saw his bedroom for the first time after the Israeli bombing, He said "I don't have any books; I even lost my school uniform."

Atfaluna has also setup an emergency counseling team which is conducting field visits in order to identify and assess the needs of the most critical cases that are in need of short and long-term emergency support. Additionally we aim to provide psycho-social assistance to the Atfaluna students and their parents. The program will aim at re-establishing a sense of reason, peace, and safety to these children.

Basic Needs 

Atfaluna are doing their best to offer the deaf children and adults in our care the most basic needs, after losing all their belongings during the war on Gaza. If you would like to lend a hand to the deaf people of the Gaza Strip who have suffered because of the war, you can support them to offer the following items:

• Blankets
• Clothing and shoes
• Hygiene kits
• Hearing Aids and batteries
• Material for school uniform
• School bags and stationery

Donations 

With your generous donations and support to our work, we can make a difference in the lives of these much affected deaf children and their families.

Use the contact us llink to contact us link to e-mail the webmaster of this site who can give details of how you can financially support Atfaluna School and Projects.