Youth Events Local Events International Events Around the World Committees Relief Efforts
Peace Quilts Servas US + YMCA Servas US + IIE Parfas Servas Uganda Youth Servas Israel Hug Day Where ideas spark into action   
  
Committees TOP Relief Efforts Servas Pakistan launched three relief camps, staffed by Servas volunteers, to collect and convey donations for victims of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. In India, strong leadership helped to organize networks and personal resources to aid victims of the 2004 Tsunami.  
 
TOP Servas US Teams Up with the Institute of International Education (IIE) IIE broadens the outlook of future leaders through academic and professional exchange that strengthens their ability to think and act on a cooperative basis. They believe exchange among people of different cultures is a critical means for transferring knowledge and skills across borders and preparing a new generation of global citizens. US Servas is working with the IIE headquarters in Arcata to provide day-hosting opportunities for Fulbright students, giving them a chance to learn about American culture and daily life in New York. If you are a host in New York and would like to day-host a Fulbright student, contact the New York office for more details. TOP Servas US Teams Up with the YMCA ICCP works to create a global community for American campers. They believe that a multicultural staff is the best way to teach appreciation and respect for different viewpoints. Servas works with ICCP to provide homestays for international counselors. In the summer of 2005, US Servas was asked to give presentations on our international homestay programs at the YMCA ICCP's orientation sessions in Arcata office.
Through visiting with Americans, international camp counselors have the opportunity to explore American culture- learn more about US politics, professions, pastimes, worship, peace and social justice movements firsthand! TOP Peace Quilts The NY Middle East Peace Quilt Coalition, Chaired by US Servas, is a 20-member Coalition of community groups and peace/social justice organizations from throughout New York City. US Servas worked together with these groups from January 2003-September 2003 to organize the New York Middle East Peace Quilt Project, a series of events and exhibits around the Middle East Peace Quilt aimed at bringing diverse communities together to hear each other’s stories and build vital neighborhood relationships. The Middle East Peace Quilt is an international community art project coordinated by a Servas member, together with over 300 Palestinians, Jews and others mostly from North America. The entire Peace Quilt Exhibit can be viewed here   
TOP Volunteering placement at PAFRAS 
Magiari Diaz Diaz (Magi) is a member of Servas, a worldwide peace movement. Over the summer, she undertook a volunteering placement at PAFRAS; providing support and assistance in a variety of ways. Magi left Leeds to go to London on 19 October, and will return home to Venezuela in 2008. Before she left, she took the time to speak to PAFRAS about her experiences in the UK: here Servas Uganda Youth Meeting
Servas Uganda held its youth meeting on Saturday February 28, 2009, at the Pacific Hotel. The main objective of the meeting was to increase membership of young people and also link Servas Uganda with other NGOs. Some Servas members came with their friends. The were 19 participants among them, Nigel from Servas UK. He is a volunteer working in Uganda for one year. Simon, from Servas Germany was also in attendance. He is volunteering for the Arua Refugee Programme. TOP Servas Israel Hug Day June 12, 2009  
  Servas Meeting in Jerusalem Promoting Coexistence and Peace 21st June 2009
Sunday the 21st June was the longest day of light and the shortest night of the year. It was indeed a bright day in Jerusalem full of light and sunshine. Despite the heat, and the long distances, more than 30 Israeli Servas members from Mitzpe Ramon in the South to Mitzpe Abirim in the North, arrived at the Gloria hotel in the Old City, at twelve noon.
After welcoming the participants and reading a letter from Chaim Murik, the Chairman of Servas Israel, Claudia Sagi, Peace Coordinator and Servas coordinator of the Sharon area, gave a short presentation about mutual respect and coexistence between different ethnic groups in the Bible and in the Koran. Naim Da'or arrived from Hebron with his wife Rana and spoke about his hopes to organize a Palestinian Servas Organization. Adena Levine, director of the YMCA Peace Preschool, where Jewish, Mos and Christian children play side by side, spoke about the educational challenge of coexistence, and the strive for mutual respect between the parents and teachers of the three religions. Explaining that children play together easily, accepting one another openly, whereas it is much more difficult to bring the parents together. Seven visitors from the Netherlands, including the organizers of the Jerusalem Hug, participated in the meeting. Their leader, Rob spoke about the aims of their activities to promote peace and entertained us with two original songs of peace and togetherness.
As always the participants each brought their specialties: salads, sweetmeats, and goodies to be shared at the common table, eaten on the balcony roof overlooking a magnificent Birdseye view of Jerusalem. Our guests joined in the spread and treated us to delicious Dutch cheese, breads and biscuits.
The last hour was spent sharing thoughts and experiences, as Servas hosts and travelers. Several subjects were put forward for future discussion, including: Attracting young members- - Promoting new members and awareness of Servas and its aims - Servas as a Peace Organization We invite members to continue these discussions via the website.
It was a moving afternoon, getting to know one another a little better, our similarities and our differences. Later we joined the Jerusalem Hug Peace Activists at the Jaffa gate, singing and dancing around the gigantic two meter wide drum.
Many thanks, to all the organizers and participants. We hope to see you again soon at the upcoming Servas activities,
Meir and Lesley Hayoun, Servas coordinators of the Jerusalem area
Claudia Sagi, coordinator of the Sharon area and Peace coordinator of Servas Israel TOP
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