HS Student & Tanzanian
Ambassador
Build
Bridges
in Education
By Liza Young
During a time of natural
disaster occurrences and threats of terror, it’s especially reassuring to know that there’s
hope for growth and revitalization and fostering of friendships
between democratic and pluralistic societies. This was evident
at a recent American Jewish Committee (AJC) meeting, where
there was a gathering of AJC members and members of Miracle
Corner’s of the World (MCW), a non-profit community development
and revitalization organization, to welcome the Tanzanian Ambassador
and other representatives of Tanzania.
The AJC is committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being
of Jewish people worldwide, through the promotion of societies
which support freedom and human rights, and through the encouragement
of understanding between peoples.
AJC thus recognizes the importance of strengthening connections
between the democracies of America, Israel and Africa. It was
with great warmth and friendship that the committee welcomed
Ambassador Augustine Mahiga of Tanzania-recently appointed
to the United Nations Security Council-as well as other Tanzanian
representatives. As described by Robert Goodkind, President
of the AJC, the relationship will be mutually beneficial to
Jews and to citizens of Tanzania.
Ambassador Mohiga gave
warm greetings and expressed the wish that this will be the
beginning of a longstanding relationship with the AJC. He
expressed his admiration for the Jewish people, and that
on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Holocaust, it is
fitting for international communities to stand together and
say “never again.” The Ambassador additionally
gave thanks to the AJC for its involvement, in collaboration
with MCW, in the development of the St. Augustine University
Library through the donation of computers and a Jewish Library
comprised of books that provide an understanding of Jewish
History.
With respect to MCW,
their involvement in a library project in Tanzania is yet
another example of their continuing dedication to community
development across continents, ranging from the United States
to Africa. In Arusha, Tanzania, MCW has been involved in
developments such as the Dr. Herman Wrice Community Center,
which provides services to thousands of youth in the areas
ranging from pre-school education to computer and entrepreneurial
training. Other efforts include the partnering with NYU’s
College of Dentistry in organizing a community outreach program
in Tanzania, treating thousands who would otherwise have no
access to dental care.
At the AJC meeting,
the mutual admiration between guest speakers Eddie Bergman,
Co-Founder, during his teen years, of MCW, and Ambassador
Mohiga was clearly evident. The Ambassador summarized some
of the many accomplishments of the MCW and personally praised
Eddie for his vision at such a youthful age, describing him
as “inspirational,” having “won the confidence
of villages” in his journeys to communities throughout
West Africa.
Eddie respectfully
introduced Ambassador Mahiga as one of the “most brilliant
scholars and minds on African affairs-A global leader but
also dedicated to his people.”
Overall the meeting
at the AJC signified an international meeting of the minds,
with important repercussions on an educational, political
and social scale. As Roberta Richin, Advisory Board member
of MCW and Council Administrator for SAJES Council for Prejudice
Reduction stated, “It’s important for
peoples of the world to be one, to be part of the human family,” and
hopes for this were clearly evident at the meeting.”
