Rotary hosts youths from Israel, Palestine

YOUTHS from Israel and Palestine were the guests of Wakefield's Rotary Club Monday night at a supper held at Prince Pizzeria on Rte. 1 in Saugus. The youths were chosen to visit the U.S. by Friends Forever, an organization that promotes world peace. Shown with the students are Casey Lyons, Saugus Rotary president and Robert Mailhoit, Wakefield Rotary president. (Gail Lowe Photo)

YOUTHS from Israel and Palestine were the guests of Wakefield’s Rotary Club Monday night at a supper held at Prince Pizzeria on Rte. 1 in Saugus. The youths were chosen to visit the U.S. by Friends Forever, an organization that promotes world peace. Shown with the students are Casey Lyons, Saugus Rotary president and Robert Mailhoit, Wakefield Rotary president. (Gail Lowe Photo)

Published in the July 29, 2015 edition

By GAIL LOWE

WAKEFIELD — The Rotary Club of Wakefield Monday night welcomed 10 young people from Israel and Palestine, a region of the world that has been conflict-ridden for centuries. The youths were the invited guests of an organization called Friends Forever, the purpose of which is to build lasting relationships across cultural divides.

Two of the youths — Eilam Ismailov (Israel) and Dunia Khatib (Palestine) — were invited to share with the group their hopes and dreams for the future while at a supper meeting at Prince Pizzeria on Rte. 1 in Saugus.

Khatib opened with a recitation of a poem penned by Maya Angelou titled “Still I Rise.” The first stanza reads:

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

The youths arrived in the U.S. on Tuesday, July 21 and are staying with residents of Rye, N.H. They will return home on Friday, Aug. 7.

In the meantime, they have attended workshops on topics such as social media and enjoyed day trips to Rhode Island. Their stay in the U.S. also includes community service, self-exploration and leadership building.

Khatib said her plans include continuing her education in Germany with hopes of one day becoming a surgeon. Ismailov’s goal is to become prime minister. Some students have yet to define their goals but all are intent on continuing their education and making the world a better place for all.

Based in Durham, N.H., Friends Forever is an independent non-profit organization that utilizes a grass roots approach to help future generations building friendships. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to participate first hand in the international peace process.

The organization was founded by Rotarian and YMCA Director Bob Raiche, Friends Forever works with young people in Northern Ireland, Israel and Uganda.

At the close of the trip, each youth is required to present to Friends Forever staff plans for a cross-community project for the group to participate in after returning home.

For the next year, students will work together to continue the mission while engaging their friends, families and entire communities in the process.

To quote one youth from Israel who participated in the project: “We realized we all eat the same food, we all like the same games and we all want peace.”