Visit to Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children in Gaza
Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Press Release: The U.S. Congressman and Federal Judge, Keith Ellison, visits Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children in Gaza.

On behalf of Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children ASDC, Mr. Sharhabeel Al Zaeem, ASDC Chairman, received The U.S. Congressman and Federal Judge, Keith Ellison in an official visit, to the Gaza Strip on Sunday 4^th April.

During his visit to Gaza, The U.S. Congressman, Keith Ellison paid a special visit to Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children particularly to vocational training unit including its several sections: pottery, wood, embroidery, Our Crafts shop, and Kindergarten, as he admired the impressive work and expressed her admiration of Atfaluna work and products, as he promised to convey the Atfaluna mission to the entire world.

ASDC Chairman, Mr. Al Zaeem expressed his happiness towards the visit; “the visit of the U.S. Congressman, Keith Ellison, to Gaza Strip in general is extremely significant, and very important for Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children ASDC, as it embodies the important role that it plays to offer good services to marginal and disabled people in Gaza Strip which experiences the hardest blockade imposed on Palestinians.” Mr. Alza’eem added:” this visit expresses the international good-welling to break the siege, which proves the Israeli failure in preventing senior diplomatic officials of visiting Gaza Strip via Erez Crossing border, that enforces a number of officials to come through Rafah Crossing Border.”

“We deeply thank the U.S. Congressman, Mr. Keith Ellison, for devoting some of his valuable time to visit Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, we in Atfaluna feel proud with this visit and hope it will convey the suffering Palestinians and the Deaf in Gaza Strip to all over the world”, Mr. Naim Kabaja said, ASDC Director.

Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children ASDC sincerely appreciates Ellison’s decision to visit Gaza, to meet with ASDC staff and children, as well as getting a direct knowledge of the situation on the ground.

It is noteworthy that The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton, visited Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children on 18th March.

Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children is a non-profit society that was established in 1992 in the Gaza Strip. Atfaluna aims to improve the quality of life of deaf children and adults for them to reach their full potential by providing quality education, health care, social services, and work opportunities.

For more information, please contact:
Lana Matar – Atfaluna PR Officer
Telefaxes:   + 972-8-2828495 or 2865468
Email: lana.matar@atfaluna.net