Al-Ahli Christian Hospital (Gaza) Coffee Morning

On Thursday 10th September, Merrow hosted a coffee morning to raise funds for the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza.  This is the oldest hospital in Gaza (built in 1882) and is the only Christian hospital in Gaza.  It has suffered greatly in the current war being bombed several times but is valiantly serving the local population throughout as best as it can.

Dr Ang Swee Chai  (Co- founder of the Medical Aid for Palestinians charity) also came to give a talk on the hospital and her experiences working in both Gaza and Lebanon.  She is a Senior Consultant working in St Bartholomew's hospital, London. 

Would our publicity work and bring people to listen to the speaker?  We needn't have worried – the foyer was full of friends from far and wide and there wasn't a seat to be had in the Church for the talk.  Some had come from Dorking and Haslemere specifically to listen to the speaker.

The talk was extremely informative and very emotional.  The photos showing the current state of Gaza were horrifying.  One thing though that came out was the continual resilience of the people – they will always rebuild.  One farmer was replanting Olive trees.

It reminds us that they are all our brothers and sisters.

The coffee morning raised £1521 (incl Gift Aid) for the hospital.