Pictures of Poverty

(All these picture were taken with the permission of the persons in them.)

I took this picture in a village called Fahma Igdida, meaning New Fahma.  Fahma is Arabic for charcoal.  The woman in the background is pregnant with her 10th child -- six have survived.

The people of this village are refugees from villages around Gaza.  In 1948 they were put out of their homes and ended up in a camp inside of Gaza.  In 1968, after the Six Day War in 1967, they came to this place and began life here as best they could.  An Israeli army base was established alongside of their village.  Because the army was there for protection, Palestinian collaborators with Israel were transported to live in this village with the folks from Gaza.  Of course, the village became associated with those who helped Israel in the Six Day War.  Sometime later, the army left this base and with them the collaborators left as well.  However, the stigma of treason stayed with the village.

Abu Machi, the head of the council says that they have worked very hard to establish good relations with their neighbors and to repair the name of the village.  He believes they have succeeded it this.

This is the youngest daughter of the woman pictured above.  She is a little over 1 year old.  She is not well.  Of course, there is not adequate medical care for her.  This is not acceptable!  You may wonder why one of the symtoms of poverty is large families.  I'll not pretend to know the answer, but one thing Mahmud, the father said may help.  He said, "Our children are our hope."  I hope this child lives.

Fifty-six people live in these two homes.

Sores on 16-year-old Mustafa's legs, the result of no water for bathing.  Every two days, there is no water to Fahma Igdida.

Who is to blame for this?  There is enough blame to go around.  What there is not enough of is compassion.