VIM Team tours Mar Elias Educational Institute

VIM Team tours Mar Elias Educational Institute (MEEI),
[June 12th, 2006]
Today was our second full day at MEEI, which is located in Ibillin, a suburb of Haifa, in Galilee. This morning we had the privilege to meet the President of MEEI, Ra’ed Mullem, and Archbishop Elias Chacour, AKA “Abouna”.

We had all read Abouna’s book, Blood Brothers, c. 1984, so we had some appreciation of the path of peace and reconciliation that Abouna has blazed during the times of turmoil in the Middle East.

Abouna greeted us warmly and thanked us for coming to MEEI. Although he appreciated the gardening, painting and other tasks we would undertake, he was more appreciative of our physical presence. He was grateful that the students would see and interact with Americans who were not movie stars and did not carry guns.

His message has inspired us to become messengers of the possibilities in Israel. Perhaps his statement we remembered most was that if we befriend one side, we should not make an enemy of the other.

Next we met with Ra’ed Mullem, who first met Abouna as a kindergartner at MEEI. Ra’ed provided an overview of the programs at MEEI, and how we might serve as messengers when we return home. Some of MEEI’s current and planned programs include communications, environmental science and chemistry, computer technology, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and the Peace program.

MEEI includes the only non-Jewish College in Israel, and is open to all students: Muslim, Christian, Jew, and Druze alike. Beyond the college, the school includes grades K to 12. The staff ratio is 50% female, and 30% Jewish. Their mission is to train young people, particularly women, to become tomorrow’s leaders and peacemakers.

During our discussion with Ra’ed, two young women, who served as exchange students at The University of Indianapolis, came in and to say hello. When asked what they missed most about the U.S., they replied, “that respect that people in the U.S. have for one another”.

Next Patrick, a volunteer from Germany, gave us a tour of MEEI. This included the classrooms, the library, the cafeteria, and the Peace Room in the college. Next we toured the recently built Church, which is still a work in progress. Work continues on this beautiful church as funds become available.

After lunch, we took a short trip to Haifa, where we saw a spectacular view of the Mediterranean, and had our first Middle Eastern Meal in an Egyptian restaurant. -- Geoff & Anne--