Last August, we began the 2024-25 school year with much hope and courage. Surprisingly, and despite often impassable roads, all the students returned with renewed joy and enthusiasm. They were tired of being confined within the walls of their villages, anguished by exhausting military checks not only in their cities but even in their own homes!

The return to school represented a reunion with friends and classmates, but above all, it was a moment to rediscover their own dignity—a true breath of fresh air. They finally felt welcomed once more, "free" to move, speak, and be together after months of loneliness and isolation.

Sadly, this peace was only superficial. On the evening of October 1st, we experienced a dramatic moment like never before. The sky, which in another context might have looked full of shooting stars, was instead lit up by rockets racing over our heads. Thanks to Providence and our caution, the young girls staying at the boarding school remained unaware of what was happening. Nevertheless, for safety, we decided to close the school again. Fortunately, in the days that followed, the situation returned to “normal.”

Given this tense climate and for security reasons, we have opted to hold classes only within the interior spaces of the Institute. Aware of the sacrifices and uncertainties the current times demand, we are determined to carry on our work in every circumstance, aiming to inspire our students to always give their best.

Warm greetings from Bethlehem and a heartfelt thank you for your interest and support for our children!