More power to Uganda
A UGANDAN primary school with almost 1000 students has electricity for the first time thanks to the determined fundraising efforts of Israeli bar mitzvah boy Eytan Kramer – and his Australian-born mum Liza, and grandparents Jillian and Rob Hyde, could not be prouder.
A UGANDAN primary school with almost 1000 students has electricity for the first time thanks to the determined fundraising efforts of Israeli bar mitzvah boy Eytan Kramer – and his Australian-born mum Liza, and grandparents Jillian and Rob Hyde, could not be prouder.
A year before his bar mitzvah last month, the young Ra’anana resident decided he didn’t want to receive any gifts, and instead, encouraged his guests to support a charity project of his choice.
When Liza, a former Masada College school captain, got in touch with her friend Sivan Ya’ari – the founder and CEO of Israeli charity Innovation Africa – Eytan settled on his fundraising mission and immediately got cracking.
First he cycled and jogged 100km from his home city to Jerusalem with his dad, Saul.
Months of small fundraising events followed, at his school and local sports club, supported via Facebook by relatives and friends in Australia, England and South Africa, raising a total of $18,000.
Before his bar mitzvah, Eytan and Liza spent 10 days in Uganda, to personally witness the installation of a set of solar panels at Bukalikha Primary School.
In magical scenes, they were surrounded by thankful students and staff who were singing and dancing in excitement, while a giant Israeli flag was hoisted.
During the trip, they also donated stationery and soccer balls to an orphanage, and visited a tiny rural synagogue, where they presented bottles of kosher wine they’d brought from Israel.
On his return, Eytan scored a live interview on news channel ILTV, and the Jerusalem Post’s Dov Lipman dedicated a column to him, titled “My 13-year-old hero”.
Eytan said he was happy to support “the amazing work” of Innovation Africa, which has given 1 million Africans access to electricity and fresh water.
“A bar mitzvah is when you are turning into a man and taking responsibility on yourself, so it [this project] really shows you the way,” Eytan said.
“In Uganda you could see a lot of poverty, too much … but the people are still happy, they still smile.
“I hope I’m encouraging everyone to just do more helpful stuff for the world.”
His grandparents, who spend part of the year in Israel and in Sydney, describe Eytan as “a genuinely positive, decent kid”.
Liza told The AJN from Israel that their experience in Uganda was both sad and euphoric, and very worthwhile.
“It showed there’s always more to do, and how it’s important not to get complacent.”
SHANE DESIATNIK
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