A quick lunch later (thank you, Sabah and the others at the office!) I was off again with Nahed and Usama to check EWAS projects. This time we headed south to the Khan Younis area. Unfortunately, people were not so friendly here, and we had a hard time finding someone that benefited from our efforts and that would let us into their home.

 

After several hours (and a large explosion somewhere to the south) we found Mohammad Ahmed Abu Mughasib. His house had indeed received water through ANERA and EWAS. Living close to Israeli settlements (before they were evacuated), his village was encircled with Israeli checkpoints and fences, and he had to carry all the water he needed to his home from other villages. Now, he has running water in the tap. Simple, no-thrills, but such a luxury. And it doesn’t end there.

Mohammad runs a little village clinic, supporting the area with health care. Sponsored by a Danish organization, he has a pharmacy open everyday, to which he received lots of medicines for free from ANERA. He was very happy to show the services he provides to the farmers in the area, and very grateful for our support with water network and medicines. Days like this, it is easy to work here, despite the grueling heat, the depressing suppression and the open racism.

 

I enjoyed a dinner together with Tom, Salah and very wealthy American-Palestinian who now started his on charity to support his motherland. An interesting evening with great food (I hade a delicious and very spicy dish with shrimps in tomato, baked in a clay pot). If you ever go to Gaza City, don’t miss Al Alam Fish Restaurant, run by Abu Haseira. It is just next to Al Deira Hotel.