Joy mingled with serenity and innocence in the two ceremonies to award diplomas to the children of the Terra Sancta Schools in Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Beit Hanina. DIANA HAZBOUN Director Terra Sancta Bethlehem Kindergarten "This year we had to overcome many challenges due to the absence of the children. Absence that we have tried to repair with online teaching. However, I think we have not lost anything this year in preparing them for the first grade." ANTHONY MUSALLAM Terra Sancta Bethlehem Kindergarten "The Coronavirus changed the world, but it did not change us. Even during the Coronavirus period we always wanted to come to school." The graduation ceremony took place on 7 June in Bethlehem, in the presence of the parents. It began with the children entering the Millennium Hall, newly reopened after renovations, and their words of thanks to their parents and teachers. The event then ended with some singing and dancing and the viewing of the video to the tune of the song "Jerusalema". DIANA HAZBOUN Director Terra Sancta Bethlehem Kindergarten "Dancing to the song Jerusalema was Brother Ibrahim's idea. It was an idea that united the children of the schools in Beit Hanina, Jerusalem and Bethlehem." Br IBRAHIM FALTAS, ofm Director Bethlehem Schools "The Franciscans take care of the students from the age of three until the end of university. We also offer scholarships." HANNA HANANIA Parent "I am also a child of the Terra Sancta School. This school has formed my character. I also graduated from this school and today it is my son's turn: from generation to generation we grow up in this wonderful school with which we have an emotional and academic relationship." NAILA’ HANANIA Parent "This day will remain in our minds even twenty years down the line. We all remember this day, thanks of course to the commitment of the teachers. We cannot describe our joy." An important ceremony that conveys ambition, love and sowing wishes for a future life to the children. MARIA DA’AJNEH Terra Sancta Bethlehem Kindergarten "When I grow up I want to be a beautician and also a doctor." On 12 June, a ceremony was held for the children of the Holy Land Schools of Jerusalem and Beit Hanina in the Notre Dame Auditorium. There were dance performances, recitation of poems, songs, theatrical performances and speeches in Arabic, English and Italian. In his speech, Brother Faltas congratulated the children and their parents on obtaining their diplomas and moving on to the first grade. SIMA HALABI Terra Sancta Jerusalem Kindergarten "I'm happy to go to first grade. I graduated and finished kindergarten." The Franciscan Order, wherever it is in the Holy Land, has over the centuries planted the seeds of science, knowledge, love and peace in the education of future generations, from Galilee to Bethlehem. ANTHONY MUSALLAM Terra Sancta Jerusalem Kindergarten "Can you imagine the Holy Land without Bethlehem? No. And still no." Read More