Positive News from the Middle East

I've been holding my tongue over the past few weeks trying not to comment on the horror that is in and around this country. I am beyond upset, depressed, scared, and angry with all of the politicians, religious leaders, fundementalists, and yahoos who seem to think that cause if worth more than life.

There is a great program in Israel called "Save a Child." They do heart operations on youth here in the Middle East and in Africa. It has been a program supported by our school for years and is recognized for it wonderful contributions. Here is a letter that I received today in regards to it:

I am happy to inform you all that the EU
Commission has decided to award
Save a Child's Heart Euro 500,000 as part of its
Partnership for Peace
Programme 2006/7. This support comes three
months after successfully
completing  our undertakings under the
Partnership for Peace Programme
2004/5.

The funding  will be used  to co-sponsor medical
treatment for 125
Palestinian children suffering from heart
disease, offer training
opportunities for 4 Palestinian physicians at
the Wolfson Medical Center in
Holon, sponsor medical conferences for Israeli
and Palestinian physicians
and conduct a survey amongst Palestinian and
Israeli patients and medical
personnel involved in the programme.

Having met today with the representatives of the
EU delegation in Ramat Gan
to discuss both application and terms of
contract the contract is expected
to be signed next week.