The first international meeting of SACH affiliates...
The 1st international meeting of Save a Child's Heart affiliates took place on October 19 - 22, 2009, in Tel Aviv. Board members from SACH affiliates Canada, USA, The UK, Holland, Germany and Israel attended the meetings, sessions and events throughout the four days' conference.
The meeting began with a high profile reception dinner in the International Naïve Art Gallery in Tel Aviv on the evening of October 19. 80 people took part in the event; Ambassadors and representatives from Switzerland, the European Union, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Angola, Eritrea, The Philippines and Kenya, SACH donors, board members from Israel and abroad, the medical team, volunteers and supporters. A premier screening of the 1,000th Palestinian child film was shown and Gaida Nofel, the 1,000th Palestinian child, and her father surprised everyone by showing up and thanking in person the doctors and the team for everything.
The second day was dedicated to sessions and discussions about our activities, strategy and goals for the future. Tel Aviv deputy Mayor, Yael Dayan, was invited to speak to the guests. In the evening a dinner took place in a restaurant in Tel Aviv where Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, Danny Ayalon, was invited as guest of honor.
During the third day the guests travelled to the West Bank city of Nablus. They were accompanied by Jonathan Miles from Shevet Achim. The guests were met there by our partner Dr. Omar Assali who showed them around and spoke to them about his work and cooperation with SACH. The group then visited the house of Ahmed Hamad, a one and a half year old boy who was treated by SACH six months ago. The group was warmly welcomed by his family who opened their home and hosted everyone for lunch. he group also met two other children who were treated by SACH; Lian Almaani, a four and half year old girl who was operated in Israel when she was three months old, and seven year old Zaid Ranam who was operated in Holland a few years ago. The day ended in Caesarea in the home of SACH Israeli board member Debbie Silver, who hosted a lovely and wonderful evening of dinner
and music entertainment.
The fourth day began with the guests visiting the children's home. They met with the SACH volunteers from Israel and abroad and spoke to Laura Kafif, SACH housemother.
From there everyone went to participate in the corner stone ceremony for the new SACH children's home (more details below). The day ended with final discussions and closing remarks back at the hotel.
It was a very important week for everyone; people from the different SACH affiliates worldwide had the opportunity to meet each other in person and meet the Israeli board members, medical team and staff. Furthermore, the meetings and discussions gave everyone a better understanding into our activities and goals for the future.
It was agreed by all to hold the next international meeting in 2010.