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Comments: In Gaza I continually haunted internet news sites to answer the ever present question, “Is it safe to go outside?”. There was an effort by the Board to welcome new foreign staff, to include dinners and a $200 settling in allowance. The problem is, the Board does not control the purse strings. An entity called the Palestine Investment Fund does. Unfortunatly, the present manager of the fund views AISG as a financial burden rather than an investment in Palestine’s future. We were paid late on several occasions, but in the end all contractual obligations were met and I managed to save a good portion of my salary.

During the course of the 2005/06 year four foreign teachers were kidnapped (all released unharmed that same evening) and the school was the subject of a militant attack resulting in a gun battle. If you like this kind of excitement you will love Gaza. Politics here make the wild, wild, west seem tame. The foreign staff enjoyed their evacuation to Cairo, but only about half decided to return.

I resided in a three bedroom air-conditioned apartment with big picture window views of the Mediterranean. I had a choice of about 300 satellite channels to watch. This was good because we were restricted to the apartment building the last two and a half months. Trips to a local restaurant were organized once or twice a week with heavy security escort by the Presidential Guard. We traveled to Israel on most week-ends where you can shop, swim, drink, and take in a movie. Be prepared for long waits at the crossing between Israel and Gaza. Other than a couple of good restaurants and magnificent sunsets there is nothing for foreign staff to do for entertainment in Gaza. We used to be able to go to the UN Club, but it was blown up in December. Too bad, as I was becoming quite good at snooker.

The school is well designed with good support equipment. The kids are hyper but most care about their grades and are willing to work. Class sizes were reasonable and I had plenty of planning time during the work day. Transportation was provided but I felt more like a Marine in a truck convoy than a teacher going to work. The relationship between foreign teachers and local staff is excellent. I felt a great amount of empathy for their situation. Most Gazan’s appreciated our being there.

A different funding source for the next school year is presently being looked at. The school will have an entirely new administration. Only two foreign teachers have opted to remain. Most have decided to leave due to security and the question of funding for next year. I personally would return if the question of funding could be guaranteed.