1. www.cafod.org.uk www.cafod.org.uk/primary New Year messages from children in Gaza January 2010

2. We have been working together with Islamic Relief helping children and families in the Gaza strip.

3. The Gaza Strip is a narrow piece of land along the Mediterranean coast between Israel and Egypt. It is home to more than 1.5 million Palestinians. Credit: BBC News

4. There has been fighting in the area for many years and lots of children in the Gaza strip have seen armed conflict which means fighting with guns and tanks.

5. January 2009 was not a happy start to the new year for people in Gaza. The fragile peace with neighbouring Israel dissolved into war.

6. For three weeks, Israel dropped bombs and fired tanks at Gaza because groups in Gaza were firing rockets into Israel. In Gaza, 1393 people were killed, 347 of them were children. Homes, schools and hospitals were destroyed. In Israel 13 people died.

7. During the fighting we supported Islamic relief. They were one of the few groups able to get help to the people. When a ceasefire was called our partners provided emergency food, water and medicine. And we are supporting the children of Gaza as they begin to deal with their experiences of war.

8. We support Islamic Relief to run drama, art and play workshops for children to help them deal with what they have experienced.

9. Meet 10 year old Areej. Gaza is her home. She is receiving support to help her learn to deal with the things she experienced during the war.

10. My dad was the only source of strength for me. He used to protect me. I wont forget his kindness; he treated me and my brothers equally. But he was killed during the war. I still wonder why. I cant believe it happened. At night when I am asleep I dream and in my dreams he is still alive. But sadly when I wake up I dont find him here. My dad was the only source of strength for me. He used to protect me. I wont forget his kindness; he treated me and my brothers equally. But he was killed during the war. I still wonder why. I cant believe it happened. At night when I am asleep I dream and in my dreams he is still alive. But sadly when I wake up I dont find him here.

11. I have spent many days feeling sad. Im not as sad now.

12. I know that other children who were affected by the war and are also getting help to forget about what they saw. I was happy to know that children donated their pocket money to help us in Gaza. I love all the children who help Palestinian children and I pray they will not suffer and lose dear ones like we did. I hope all of them have peace not war. I know that other children who were affected by the war and are also getting help to forget about what they saw. I was happy to know that children donated their pocket money to help us in Gaza. I love all the children who help Palestinian children and I pray they will not suffer and lose dear ones like we did. I hope all of them have peace not war.

13. These New Year cards are from the children in Gaza to you!

18. Photographs by: CAFOD, CIDSE, Islamic Relief Worldwide cafod.org.uk/primary