Women Wage Peace presenting at the People’s Peace Summit with 5,000 Israelis in the Jerusalem Center, May 9, 2025

 Please Wage Peace with us!

You are invited to join the Women Wage Peace International Supporters Meeting on Monday, July 28, 10:30 am US Central time, 18.30 Israel, 17.30 Europe, 8:30 am Canadian/US West Coast.

Israeli Women Wage Peace with their Palestinian Partners Women of the Sun have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Register for the link. Men have always been welcome to attend and work with these women-founded programs.

The WWP team is pleased to invite you to an update on what is going on in the region, in Israel, in Gaza, an update on the strategy and the messages of our movement, and an outlook to the coming months. A discussion in breakout rooms will give you the opportunity to meet with other supporters around the world and exchange your experience. Learn more about WWP.

If you would like to be a part of the US Support group which has monthly meetings, and an ongoing WhatsApp chat, contact Caroline Frankil Warren.

Some of the Israeli Wage Peace are related to the Israeli hostages trapped in Gaza.

 In Gaza over 40 members of Women of the Sun have been killed. All are suffering. In the garden of the Bethlehem Women of the Son office, their pictures hang on a tree as a memorial.

See pictures and read about the Women Wage Peace and Women of the sun whom Sister Martha Ann Kirk met during a 3-week journey in the Holy Land in May.

News From Gaza Today

My friend Rolla's family perseveres - in the face of brutal famine and war

I imagine you have all seen the photos from Gaza, of starving children, emaciated beyond belief, giving new meaning to the phrase “skin and bones”.

STARVATION is everywhere in Gaza. DEATH stalks the land.

Still the Alaydi family perseveres, practicing the Palestinian value of SUMUD (the Arabic word for “steadfastness”), a way of surviving and finding meaning in the midst of the worst imaginable circumstances.

There is VERY LITTLE food available, and Rolla’s family tells her that finding some can take hours, all day, or days. And when there is some food, the cost is astronomical.

Yet the Alaydi family, and their neighbors, have their community garden. It provides a little food – not enough to fully feed people, but enough to make a difference. They can eat some, and also take some (along with a little money) and trade with people who may have some canned foods, or dried lentils, beans or rice.

This is enough to keep them alive – and to keep alive the hope that one day they will be able to plant seeds of a future where their dreams can take root and grow.

This is made possible by each and every one who has donated to this fundraiser for almost two years now – including many of you on this list. Truly, this is LIFE SAVING work!

THANK YOU! Again and always! From the depth of my heart! To all of you who have sent money and shared this story with others.

Read below for Alaydi family updates including:

Amna and Salem continue their studies (even during war and famine) and a new, online shop featuring t-shirts with Amna’s designs

           – and powerful words from Amna

Please CONTINUE TO DONATE, as you are able – Or DONATE FOR THE FIRST TIME in this critical moment and SHARE this GoFundMe widely.

If possible, please GIVE MONTHLY, whatever amount you are able to give. Regular contributions make a huge difference. Funds will continue to be used to support the family – food, medical needs, e-sims and more – whatever is needed to help them survive.

You can visit Salem’s Instagram and Rolla’s Instagram. For updates on the Alaydi family and stories from Gaza.

Rolla told me that 18-year-old Salem is studying for his high school certificate, while 20-year-old Amna is completing a course in cartooning that she will get college credit for, as part of seeking a university degree in art and design. They do this online, with what little internet is available. Can you imagine studying during a war and famine?

Also, the online T-Shirt store: AMNA ALAYDI DESIGNS (Drawn in Gaza with Love) opened in early July (set up by team member Shiyam Galyon).

Take a look! And perhaps select a favorite design for yourself – and another for a friend. 

On the website Amna writes: “We are born from resilience. Despite the imposed starvation, the siege, and constant bombings day and night, we stand strong like mountains… I share my art because it’s my freedom, it rises from the worn layers of my tent and reaches hearts, no matter the distance, the seas, or the oceans. They can’t kill art, even if they try to end us all."

I feel so honored to be able to assist this courageous, resilient and generous family – and so grateful to all of you who have joined with me to support them and stand with them.

With gratitude and determined hope,

Dianne (a Jewish friend)

Photos: (by Salem Alaydi) Top: Amna poses in the community garden. Next: Yamen (Amna’s younger brother) tends the community garden.  

Young Women of Kosovo Developing as Leaders

Linda Gjergji, originally from Kosovo, successfully completed a doctoral dissertation at the University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, called An Impact Study of Young Women's Leadership Development: A Case Study of Kosovo. 

She explained: “The purpose of this qualitative case study is to examine the impact of leadership programs on young women in Kosovo, the unique obstacles they face in their pursuit of leadership positions, and the potential for leadership development. The research investigates the influence of leadership programs on skills and leadership development, analyzes the challenges that young women encounter in their leadership pathway, and underscores the opportunities for them to assume leadership roles in a culture of predominantly male leaders. Semi-structured interviews, arts-based activities, and meeting narratives were employed to collect data, providing a comprehensive understanding of the influence of global leadership development programs on young women.

This research enhances the current discourse on gender equality and leadership in Kosovo, with broader implications for comparable circumstances in other developing countries. This research aims to provide legislators, educators, and non-governmental organizations with insights to support their efforts to empower future women leaders and advance leadership programs in Kosovo.”  

This dissertation was a success, not only for Linda, but for the UIW YWGLP in many ways. For example, the young women in Kosovo were developing empathy for the young women of Kenya who had to carry water to their homes. After so many years of violence in Kosovo which delayed development, there are many challenges, yet they have running water in homes. The Young Women’s Global Leadership program continues to touch and unite high school young women. You are invited to get to know them. 

 Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a physician from Gaza whose three daughters and niece were killed, UIW Young Women's Global Leadership participants, Dr. Erica Haskins, their director; Sofia Elias, UIW Communications Arts intern and Sister Martha Ann Kirk

Daughters for Life

The international Charter for Compassion is now featuring "A Compassionate City Responds."  Dr. Abuelaish, who experienced the overwhelming tragedy of family being killed, responded, “I shall not hate.” He is now a global expert on "Hatred as a contagious and destructive disease. " 

Promoted by the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Office of the Incarnate Word Sisters, many people came together for a week of educational events. Sister MaryLou Rodriguez and Sister Teresa Stanley assisted in the programing. UIW graduates spoke: Ronda Elaydi of Gaza City and Beni Resendiz, whose father is in Israel. They do not want for the killing to go on. UIW students made a program for Catholic Television of San Antonio. In the face of violence and hatred in the world, Dr. Abuelaish works to transform suffering into compassion, wisdom, and action in behalf of others. 

Young Women's Global Leadership Program helped with the benefit dinner. If we seek peace in the Middle East, we need to help young women to be educated and to lead. Dr. Abuelaish has begun a foundation Daughters for Life to give scholarships to young women with high potential. We are working towards a scholarship in San Antonio that would involve the Peace Center at Northwest Vista College and UIW hosting a young woman. When this happens they will be listed among significant institutions in the world growing the number of Daughters for Life.

From the Bethlehem SOS Children’s Village web page. The Village continuously gives compassionate care to children who do not have parents.

 Creating Artistic Bridges

Dana Osaily of Hebron, Palestine, and Sr. Martha Ann Kirk had the opportunity to be among refugee children from Gaza at the SOS Children's Village in Bethlehem to share the global art project she initiated Artistic Bridges. Using one's imagination and creating can be therapeutic. Breathing, singing, and moving were used with the children as well as drawing. 

Currently young people in Ukraine, Mexico, Uganda, Guatemala, Palestine, and the US have contributed and are building bridges of friendship, understanding, healing, and joy.

Jude Osaily who first created frog bookmarks, has been creating more and more pictures to share internationally which can be seen in this exhibit book. The grant funding that was offered to Dana and Jude for her school was given by them to the School for the Blind in Hebron. A surprise peacock walked into their yard and Jude has sent this to be added to their book.

Through the connections from the San Antonio mayor's office Sr. Martha Ann had the opportunity to be with the leader for exchanges for the municipality of Tel Aviv. They have 24 schools with designated art programs. Hopefully, we may soon have some of the youth of those schools contributing art.

Please wherever you are, invite 18- to 4- year old’s to create and share their work. If there is a class or a group that might like to have a partner group, please write us.

Love Growing in Guatemala!

During June, University of the Incarnate Word students and faculty went on a solidarity trip to work with the Little Angels of Mary non-profit in one of the most disadvantaged areas of Guatemala, Santa Apolonia. Dr. Heather Barton-Weston of the UIW Community Health program, led students from that area,  as well as, Nutrition, Criminal Justice, and Communication Arts students. 

Dr. Monica Hernandez, UIW English Adjunct Professor, said, “The solidarity trip in Guatemala, working with the communities in partnership with The Little Angels of Mary, was not only enriching and fulfilling, but also deeply sacred and humbling, giving all of us volunteer travelers the opportunity to experience how we are all connected in faith, love, and service.”

Ph.D. student Lorena Cestou, who is focusing her dissertation on service-learning in Guatemala noted: “During this solidarity trip and through our ongoing partnership with Little Angels of Mary in Guatemala, we are witnessing a powerful example of what grassroots advocacy and equity in action can look like. In the rural villages surrounding Santa Apolonia, this organization works hand-in-hand with families, offering vital services such as nutritional programs, early childhood education, and adult literacy classes. 

Their work is a testament to the impact of community-driven efforts that honor the dignity and potential of every individual, especially those who have been historically marginalized.” 

Love is growing in Guatemala. Each friendship grows love. Love grows peace.

Consider joining Peace on Earth by 2030, a global series transforming thousands and it is free. The next gatherings start Oct. 15. The Global Peace Index indicates the 23 areas that help to build peace and how countries range in authentic peace building.