Special Bethlehem school founder visits Norfolk

Fr Mamdouh Abusada with some of the children. Image: School of Joy

Source: Diocese of East Anglia

The founder of a school near Bethlehem for special needs children has been staying in North Norfolk, and his visit has raised much-needed funds for the school.

The School of Joy is supported and wholly funded by the UK charity Friends of the Holy Land which was set up to ensure that the Christians living in Palestine were supported by other Christians in the UK, to secure a resilient and enduring community for Christians in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and Jordan.

Cromer parishioner, David Burns, is a member of that charity, and visited the Holy Land a year or more ago.

He recalls how he saw both the beauty and the conflict in the land, and with it the light and darkness of humankind.

One significant light was at the School of Joy, run by a Latin Melkite Priest Fr Mamdouh Abusada. There in Beit Sahour, the Shepherds Fields, where it is said the shepherds heard the news of the birth of Jesus in nearby Bethlehem, 78 children with learning difficulties are taught, trained, and loved by dedicated teachers and helpers solely funded by Friends of the Holy Land. The children come from both Christian and Muslim families, so help and work with each other securing an understanding for their future together.

Following his visit, David felt committed to helping the school, and was pleased when his church, Our Lady of Refuge in Cromer, along with sister church St Joseph's in Sheringham, adopted the school to raise funds and give help. So far, they have raised over £1700 and sent five tablet computers.

In July this year, Fr Mamdouh came to the UK via Jordan to make an appeal at Walsingham's 'New Dawn' event for the Friends of the Holy Land. He stayed with David in North Norfolk, and David takes up the story:

"It was with great joy that I was able to welcome Fr Mamdouh to my home here in Trunch. Whilst here, I tried to give him a dose of 'Norfolk Normality', a dog walk on the beach, a pint down the pub, and he even came to one of my Blues Bands concerts. But the core of his purpose was building awareness and fundraising for the Friends of the Holy Land. He made vital appeals at my Church and at a local Church of England community led by the Rev David Longe, who has in the past served in Jerusalem as Chaplain to the Archbishop.

"A full week at Walsingham was followed by time in Norwich, where Fr Mamdouh met the Mayor of Norwich, and made an appeal at the St John the Baptist Cathedral, thanks to the support of the Dean, Fr Alan Hodgson. It was a huge success financially and he was very taken by North Norfolk. I think fancied a caravan near the beach in his retirement!

"The message Fr Mamdouh shared was a powerful one, and clearly effective, as he raised over £6300 in a week. So well done and thank you to everyone who donated."

Fr Mamdouh hopes to return to the UK next year, but in the meantime would welcome prayers for himself, the School of Joy, and all Christians in the Holy Land who care for their heritage, and ensure that such pilgrimages can continue.

For more information about Friends of the Holy Land and the School of Joy, visit: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/