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Impact on Bethlehem
Refugees helping Refugees
The Christian Iraqis now living in Jordan became refugees when they had to flee from the bombs, knives and guns of the ISIS army attacking their Christian villages in 2014. They know as well as any what horror the Ukranians are now going through, having to leave everything and to know that their homes and cities have been destroyed.
What can a refugee do to help their fellow refugees, when they are not allowed to work except for a charity? moreover, seven years later they themselves are still dependent on food and medical handouts to survive?
Rivin and Fada with 5th Gospel Christians came up with the idea to make mosaic products to sell, to remind people to pray for peace and for the Ukranians. The girls live in the Jordanian town of Madaba a few miles from Amman, famous for its beautiful stone mosaic floors, walls and pictures. Madaba is the home of the earliest Christian mosaic map of the world, with Jerusalem at its centre, the Byzantine floor in the church of St George.
Rivin and Fada have been taught the skill of making mosaic pictures, cutting the stones by hand and setting the tiny little pieces into a wooden frame. It is painstaking, skilled handwork and very beautiful. Originally taught in a Caritas project, the girls can use their skills now to make crosses and plaques in Ukranian colours to be sold individually or for churches, schools and groups to sell on as part of a fund-raising campaign.
The girls wrote a message of love and care to Pope Francis, and sent him two crosses and a photograph, and he is seen here in Rome, reading their message. The crosses are on the table.
2021 - we made a difference!
Together - UK parishes and Iraqi refugees in Jordan 2020-2022
Assistance
In the Covid-19 crisis, 5th Gospel Christians ran appeals for funds for Bethlehem, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, medical emergencies & food boxes for the Iraqi refugees in Jordan (above). 5GC Madaba team “Masked Men of Madaba” blog organised picking, packing and distribution of food for over 80 households in May, July, Christmas 2020 and Easter 2021. And again in 2022.
Learning
In 2016 5th Gospel Christians introduced True Beginners to English. Now they are students training for IELTS - International English Language Testing System. Sponsors support students; all first train for the IELTS Life Skills exam. We have five laptops and a former pilgrim gives IT training. Two students are at the American University of Madaba and six are training for the full IELTS exam in Jan 2022.
Activities
5th Gospel Christians rose to the challenges of lockdown in 2020. We held classes and meetings in a Covid-safe space in Madaba including 12 on-line sessions for parents on Covid-19. We added a “Kids Club” (above) once a week run by our students and relaxation training by zoom from the UK. Students and young Iraqis helped with the parish summer camp and attended a residential workshop in Anjara.
Linking
5th Gospel Christians links pilgrims and UK parishes with the Latin parish in Madaba. 2019 was the last time for meeting in person (above) Unable to travel, people keep in touch via Zoom, email and social media. The 5GC Iraqi team organised the distribution of clothes for the children and toiletries for the ladies, all given by UK parishes. We are waiting to resume our visits to UK parishes and to the Holy Land in 2022.