Gaza’s Holy Family School Reopens After Three Years of Conflict
For the first time in nearly three years, Gaza’s Holy Family School reopened its doors on Tuesday, September 15. Run by the Gaza Strip's only Catholic parish, the institution aims to offer stability and hope to a community devastated by years of war.
Key Details of the Reopening
A Unified Student Body: Five Christian schools operated in Gaza prior to the war. Holy Family is now the sole operating Christian school, bringing all 130 of the enclave's remaining Christian students together under one roof.
Serving the Broader Community: The school will accommodate roughly 1,000 pupils. Muslim students make up about 87% of the total student body.
Transition from Shelter to Classroom: Before cleaning and safety preparations began, the campus served as a shelter for over 450 internally displaced residents fleeing local bombardment.
Addressing Deep-Seated Trauma
Parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli described the reopening as "a light in the darkness," noting that restoring education offers families a crucial anchor to normalcy.
To address the severe psychological toll on both children and educators, the school is adapting its curriculum:
Psychosocial Support: Mental health and trauma support are now integrated directly into daily instruction for students and teachers alike.
After-School Safe Haven: Recognizing the lack of safe recreational spaces in Gaza, the campus will remain open after hours for student activities.
While surrounding neighborhoods remain in ruins, church leaders and staff are prioritizing a clean, safe space where children can return to learning and rebuilding their routines.
Source: https://abouna.org/
Image: https://www.facebook.com/lpsgaza1
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