Shalom Clubs

On December 22, 1999, a gathering was held in Amman, Jordan, with the participation of Jordanian graduates of MASHAV training courses, Israeli Embassy staff and MASHAV colleagues. During the evening several participants shared their experiences, speaking warmly of the importance of cooperation in our region.

Deeb Hussein said, "Many countries have adopted a resolution making the year 2000 the International Year for the Culture of Peace. At the beginning of the new millennium let us assist the efforts of the international community to foster peace, harmony, respect for human beings, democracy and development in the Middle East."

This past January 2000, the new Israeli Ambassador to Micronesia, Gaby Levy, resident in Australia, met with four MASHAV graduates from Pohnpei Island. They discussed ways of organizing different MASHAV activities in the future, such as locating candidates for MASHAV courses in Israel and organizing on-the-spot courses. The parties decided to maintain close contact.

A festive meeting of the Shalom Club took place this past February 2000 in Minsk, with the participation of over 120 MASHAV courses graduates. The participants arrived from all over the country, including Mogilev and Gomel, located far from Minsk. Also present were the Israeli Embassy's diplomats and staff and Ohad Halifa, representative of the Netafim Company.

Shalom Club - Colombia

Shalom Club President Dr. German Ortiz Perez would like to share with the readers of Shalom Magazine the Club's e-mail address: asoshalom@lalupa.com, to facilitate communication among members of Shalom Clubs in Latin America and around the world. There are about 3,000 members in the Shalom Club - Colombia. The goals of the association are essentially social and cultural, creating ties of friendship and support among its members.

On November 27, 1999, a Workshop in Environmental Education for Teachers was held at the Mahim Nature Park, Mumbai. It was organized with the cooperation of the Israel Consulate, the Shalom Alumni Club, Trailblazers Adventure Travel Pvt. Ltd., the Conservation Trust and the Mahim Nature Park. Attended by 55 teachers and B.Ed. students from over 17 schools, the workshop began with an Overview of Our Environment. Participants discussed activities school can initiate, including use of local resources, nature games, nature music and demonstrations. Communication of ideas to students was emphasized, and three concepts, on vehicular pollution, garbage and littering and deforestation, using creative puppetry, skits and story-telling to convey the topic, were presented.

From February 16 - 18, 2000, the Israeli Embassy in Hanoi, in coordination with the Shalom Club of Vietnam and supported by the Thanh Hoa People's Committee, organized a medical support activity in the Tho Xuan District, Thanh Hoa Province. Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Walid Mansour expressed his desire to bring medical assistance to Vietnam, particularly the remote, mountainous areas. He and Dr. Do Thi Chat, Provincial Vice-Chairperson of the People's Committee, discussed further possibilities for cooperation in the future. At the Tho Xuan District Hospital, and in the presence of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the hospital, Dr. Le Van Thinh, a neurologist from Bach Mai Hospital who participated in postgraduate training in neurology in Israel, lectured on neurology in general practice and methods for examining patients with cerebral hemorrhage to 30 district doctors. He also provided examinations and medicines to some 120 out-patients.

On February 4, 2000, the first meeting of the Shalom Club in Cameroon took place in the Chamber of Agriculture, Yaounde, with the participation of government representatives and more than 100 graduates of MASHAV courses. Despite travel difficulties some even came from the far northern areas. There have been local Club meetings in the past, but this was the first time graduates from all areas gathered together. Acting President Daniel Tecky Tcheuffa opened the assembly, Israeli Ambassador to Cameroon Tova Levy-Furman greeted those present and several representatives of the graduates spoke.

The group intends to initiate projects in the future, such as rural community centers in remote regions. Members hope to amalgamate all the smaller groups into this national organ whose principal aim is to disseminate among Cameroonians the knowledge gained in Israel.

This letter was received by MASHAV Director Haim Divon:

In October, 1999, a young Israeli tourist met with a terrible road accident while visiting the beautiful Philippine rice-growing Cordillera Mountain region. As he lay in the hospital local Shalom Club members, organized by National President Zeny Ubaldo (CINADCO, 1987), formed a 24-hour watch at his bedside and helped his family. In recognition of their good-heartedness and endless effort given their son, the family of Ohad Schulman planted ten trees in the hills of Jerusalem and invited Ms Ubaldo to be guest of the city of Kfar Saba where the Schulman's live. Because of the humanitarian and voluntary services extended by Shalom Club members, the Federation of Voluntary Organizations of Kfar Saba, represented by Mr. Abraham Arie, and SCP, represented by Ms Ubaldo, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on March 29, 2000. It promotes the spirit of volunteerism, brotherhood and humanitarian service among members of the organizations and peoples of both countries, the Philippines and Israel.

Through the courtesy of Phil. Children's Medical Center (PCMC) under the leadership of Dr. Lilian Lee, executive director, and Dr. Sonia Sarcia, deputy director for professional services, SCP-QC has a home for its Urban Gardening Project. This project was conceptualized with the full support of National President Ms. Zeny Y. Ubaldo and Israel Agricultural Consultant Mr. Isaac Isaac, and initiated by Ms. Donna Paz Reyes, SCP-QC Chapter Vice President.

The initial planting ceremony was held last December 20, 1999, at the PCMC grounds with the cooperation of PCMC staff, headed by Ms. Monique Tierra. Medicinal herbs were planted by SCP officers/members, assisted by H.E. (Israeli Ambassador) Ilan Baruch, Mr. Isaac, and Dr. Abe Rotor, member, SCP-QC. The project aims to apply Israeli technology in urban gardening for technology transfer and promote production of fresh vegetables and medicinal plants in the city.