One Source of my Inspiration
I believe in never giving up and in helping people whenever I can. So I take great strength and inspiration from my country – Israel – that does so many good things for the downtrodden like teaching people in parts of Africa how to use drip irrigation to expand their ability to grow crops or teaching people in Rwanda how to set up a youth village for ‘at risk’ children modeled on the wonderful program in Northern Israel called Yemin Orde.
An excellent example of how Israel inspires me is the compassionate and life-saving work our soldiers and citizens are pursuing in Haiti. One week after the earthquake in Haiti, Israel is the only country that has a full field hospital functioning there, with advanced medical equipment (x-ray, respirators, etc.), skilled surgeons and a pediatric unit. The US hospital has almost not services. It has no medical equipment and no surgeons. As one American doctor said (on CNN), “how is it that the Israelis can send this from half-way around the world and we (the Americans) can’t. Didn’t they know that in the aftermath of a quake people will be dying from injuries, from infections and gangrene?”
China sent 50 people and 7 reporters, the UK sent 64 firemen and some private volunteers, and of course there are groups of medical doctors from Cuba, Chile and some other neighboring countries.
I tried to find out what the Arab States sent. The combined set of 20 Arab nations sadly sent nothing.
In proportion to its population Israel has committed more than any other country in the world to the Haiti emergency and the Jewish people around the world, who have also contributed funds, should be proud of the Israeli effort. Even thought we are a tiny country surrounded by people who don’t wish us well, we certainly can make a positive difference in the world.
Last I heard, six babies were been born in the Israeli hospital, the first one was named “Israel.” Also, the Israeli rescue team (FIRST) is actively saving lives, pulling people from the ruins of collapsed buildings. Today they saved a man who had been encased in concrete for five days, they worked for 8 hours non-stop and when he was stabilized, they went to look for more.
Who was it who said “Yes, we can!”? I guess he meant Israel and its people.
