Imagine if children throughout Israel spent the year
leading up to their bar and bat mitzvas raising funds to bring electricity and
water to children in Africa.
The daily news usually covers the negative: scandals,
corruption, wars, etc. I once heard a nightly news anchor say that she begins
every night with the words “Good evening” and that is usually the last good
thing she says for the entire broadcast. But in a country like Israel, filled
with so many challenges and hardship, we cannot forget the extraordinary
beacons of good and light living in our midst.
Which brings me to my new hero. His name is Eytan Kramer, a 13-year-old boy from Ra’anana.
Which brings me to my new hero. His name is Eytan Kramer, a 13-year-old boy from Ra’anana.
Eytan
and his mother, Liza, with the solar panels prior to their installation. (photo
credit:LIZA KRAMER)
As
Eytan was approaching his bar mitzva a year ago, he and his mother had a
discussion about what it means to “become a man.” Eytan concluded that it means
not just taking responsibility for yourself, but for the needs of others as
well. So Eytan decided that he wanted to take on a project for his bar mitzva
that included helping the less fortunate.
He found out that there are some 600 million people in Africa who live in
darkness – no electricity – and another 300 million Africans who do not have
access to clean water. Most of us hear these statistics and sigh for a moment,
and maybe even appreciate what we have – and then carry on with business as
usual.
Eytan heard those numbers and decided to take action. He and his mother contacted Sivan Yaari, founder and CEO of Innovation Africa, and after raising $18,000, Eytan and his mother traveled to Uganda a few weeks ago to see, as a result of Eytan’s efforts, the lights switched on at the Bukalikha Primary School.
That’s right: 959 children now have electricity in their school because of the efforts of a 13-year-old Israeli boy who spent months raising the funds to bring them Israeli solar technology via this non-profit organization. Electricity for that school means they can attract the best teachers and provide the children with a place to study in the nighttime hours. These children now have an opportunity for a high-level education and a brighter future.
The impact that this had on the children could be seen by their reaction when the lights went on: absolute euphoria, cheering, singing, dancing. Sheer joy. And Eytan was there to dance and celebrate with them.
Eytan Kramer reminds us what our society can look like: a world in which people look for ways to help others. Eytan also reminds us of something else – what Israel is, and how much greater it can be.
Eytan heard those numbers and decided to take action. He and his mother contacted Sivan Yaari, founder and CEO of Innovation Africa, and after raising $18,000, Eytan and his mother traveled to Uganda a few weeks ago to see, as a result of Eytan’s efforts, the lights switched on at the Bukalikha Primary School.
That’s right: 959 children now have electricity in their school because of the efforts of a 13-year-old Israeli boy who spent months raising the funds to bring them Israeli solar technology via this non-profit organization. Electricity for that school means they can attract the best teachers and provide the children with a place to study in the nighttime hours. These children now have an opportunity for a high-level education and a brighter future.
The impact that this had on the children could be seen by their reaction when the lights went on: absolute euphoria, cheering, singing, dancing. Sheer joy. And Eytan was there to dance and celebrate with them.
Eytan Kramer reminds us what our society can look like: a world in which people look for ways to help others. Eytan also reminds us of something else – what Israel is, and how much greater it can be.
Imagine if college campuses were filed with students partnering with Israel to solve the problems that worldwide organizations such as the United Nations have not solved.
Innovation Africa has improved the lives of a million people in 160 African villages by installing electricity in their schools and medical clinics, and providing them with clean water. Imagine if we all joined together to bring electricity and water to 1,000 villages, impacting the lives of millions of people who currently live in the dark and in drought.
Aside from the inherent good of transforming lives for the better, such generosity would demonstrate once again that Israel not only stands for human rights, but is leading the world in fighting for it.
Thank you Eytan, for reminding us of who we are and who we can be.
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