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Copyright Children of Peace;
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THE AMERICAN FUND FOR CHARITIES
Supporting Good Causes Worldwide
SEPTEMBER 2008...
TEAM CHILDREN OF PEACE TRIUMPH
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Emma Cohen
Sports Coordinator Dominic Martin and Team Member Maria Hodson
At 9.35am on a wet Sunday 6th July 2008, Team Children of Peace completed the gruelling
10K ASICS London Run in tremendous style, averaging 49 minutes each. The seven runners,
Yasemin Saltuk, our Sports Coordinator Dominic Martin, Clare Bolt, Emma Cohen, Maria
Hodson, Jason Rudolph and Ben MacGregor were greeted by Chairman and Founder of Children
of Peace - Richard Martin, and numerous friends and partners.
"We are tremendously proud of our young team who have raised thousands of pounds
for Children of Peace. We welcome their commitment and enthusiasm in working so hard
for the children of Israel and Palestine."said Mr Martin. "Many members of our Team
have already volunteered to run in next year's event, which continues every year
right up to 2012 to coincide with the London Olympics."
The team received dozens of donations and pledges in the six weeks up to the race
and funds were still coming in through the charity's safe and secure online donation
link with Pay Pal.
"You can be certain"said Mr Martin "that the efforts of Team Children of Peace will
make a notable difference to the lives of the children."
CHILDREN OF PEACE AID REACHES GAZA
AN IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE CHARITY
Four tonnes of aid, donated by Children of Peace and the people of Herefordshire,
England has reached the children of Gaza. The donation was destined to help the children,
following a call to Children of Peace to help by Dr Mona ElFarra of the Red Crescent
Society, Gaza.
The determination of the charity to help the children was tested to the full, with
numerous security and logistical issues to overcome. The success of this shipment
was largely the result of the dedication, commitment and hard work of our Regional
Operations Manager, Kassim Baddarni who worked day and night to bring the aid through
customs at Ashdod port and on into the Gaza.
"Kassim has carried out a heroic mission and none of us will forget what he has done
for the children, "says Richard Martin Chairman & Founder of Children of Peace. "He
had to complete endless documentation and we all waited for the border to be opened
and it finally went through to the relief of all involved."
“We are totally committed to helping all the children in the region in our pursuit
of peaceful coexistence and the protection of children, "says Richard. “Our aid container
included duvets, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, baby and children’s clothing,
tinned and dried food, school books, toys and equipment, spectacles and hearing aids,
books, pens and shoes. We are absolutely delighted and proud of this achievement.
It’s also a big thank you for the generosity of the people of Herefordshire and the
Hereford Times who sponsored the campaign.”
The aid was delivered by STL from the UK and then transported across the border by
outstanding Gaza shippers; the International Delta Company into the Red Crescent
storage depot through the Afaq Jadeera Association and then on to the children of
the Nussierat Refugee Camp, Never Stop Dreaming in Khanyunis and our close friends
and Partners at the Benevolent Association for All in Beit Lahia.
Dr Muhammed Abu Lehia of the Benevolent Association for All, says:
“Our children are in a desperate plight and we are extremely happy at the kindness
and generosity of our dear friends at Children of Peace. Please do not forget us.
We need your help to protect our children and to give them hope that the international
community cares about them. We know that Children of Peace will ensure they are not
forgotten.”
CHAIRMAN OF US FOREIGN RELATIONS
COMMITTEE SUPPORTS OUR WORK
Senator Joseph R Biden Jr, the Chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations
Committee has stated his firm support for our "important"work.
Senator Bidens, who stood as a Democratic candidate in the current United States
Presidential Election campaign, stated:
"As your organization has recognized, children are often overlooked victims of violent
conflict, and too few efforts are focused on their particular needs. Generations
of Israeli and Palestinian children have grown up with peace as an elusive dream.
Supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process requires grassroots reconciliation
through the mobilization of non-governmental organizations such as Children of Peace.
I wish Children of Peace the best success in all of its endeavors as it continues
to grow."
The Trustees are delighted to receive the support of so eminent a political leader
as Senator Biden as we plan to build our work and message across the United States.
HOUSE OF GRACE JOINS CHILDREN OF PEACE
AS AFFILIATE
Children of Peace welcomes Haifa based organisation, the House of Grace as a new
affiliate. To date, over 50 non governmental organisations and community based organisations
in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza have joined us as affiliates or preferred partners
- groups who have signed up to our notions of peaceful cooperation and coexistence.
Here Davina Gates, Resource Development and External Relations officer at House of
Grace explains more about their important work:
House of Grace is a community-based organization established in 1982 and is based
in downtown Haifa which is a city with real ideological and practical potential for
coexistence. Comprised of Christian, Moslem and Jewish concerned citizens, our professionals
and volunteers provide culturally-sensitive community projects that exemplify a commitment
to mutual respect.
A central area of our work is a youth empowerment project, which includes a Sports
To Develop Youth Leadership component which aims to support at-risk youth through
individual counselling, training and provides opportunities for group team building
through sports activities, such as football & netball with other teams from the Jewish
community in Haifa.
We also operate a Coexistence Arab-Jewish Summer Camp in cooperation with local partners
which offers an opportunity for much-needed interaction between Jewish, Christian
and Muslim youth as well as summer recreation and education opportunities. Our hope
is to continue serving the most disenfranchised and needy community in Haifa, from
all faiths, in a way which empowers them and nurtures their dignity.
STRAWBERRY DELIGHT IN HEREFORDSHIRE
L to R: Bill Layton, Jenny Layton, Richard Martin (Chairman),
Janine Martin, Councillor Marcelle Lloyd Hayes
On a heavenly June day in Herefordshire Bill and Jenny Layton hosted a gorgeous cream
tea in aid of Children of Peace for local friends at their beautiful farm near Grafton
in Herefordshire.
Jenny Layton
Trustee and charity Friend Councillor Marcelle Lloyd Hayes.
Supporters donated to Children of Peace and were treated to local strawberries, clotted
cream and home made scones, lemon drizzle cake and mouth watering meringues.
Over £300 was raised for the charity.
Chairman Richard Martin said that "the Trustees were so pleased by the kindness and
generosity of Bill and Jenny Layton and their friends. Every single fundraising event
is of tremendous importance to the charity and we welcome all such opportunities
to help the children."
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THE ARCHIVES
