RAMALLAH, July 29 (JMCC) - Writer Rami Almagheri describes his children's delight at Cairo's many lights as they take time out from the Gaza Strip, where long power cuts make the fast month of Ramadan more difficult than usual.

“Wow! We have a non-stop electricity supply!” my six-year-old son Mohammad expressed in amazement upon our recent arrival in Cairo.

It was a source of joy to see him smiling and clapping loudly at the end of a four-hour drive. I had been without my family in Cairo for the previous three weeks. My relentless efforts to bring my four children — Munir, Nadine, Aseel and Mohammad — here from Gaza, along with their mother, Umm Munir, have finally proven successful.

I had sent Umm Munir back to the children a few weeks ago, hoping that she would return with all our family. Umm Munir is unwell. She is scheduled to have some medical check-ups in Cairo soon. This is perhaps the fifth time this year that my wife and I have had to travel here for her treatment.

I was anxious that my children would not be left without their parents for a long period of time during the summer. The schools close for three months in Gaza. It can be a very difficult time, especially with the high temperatures and lengthy power cuts.

The last few weeks have been dreadful. Gaza residents are required to apply for permission to travel a few weeks before their journey. So sending my wife back home came with the risk that she may have trouble returning. But I felt it was important for her to see our children.

“All right, Rami, I have to leave you now as the electricity is off and Munir needs some help to switch on the power generator, excuse me,” Umm Munir said by phone during one of the nights when she was back in Gaza.