Israel Consul General, Kobbi Shoshani visits Gabriel Project programs in tribal communities in India

Preferring to sit on the floor with the rest of the Gabriel Project Mumbai staff in the tribal area of Mokhada, Israel Consul General Kobbi Shoshani expressed his love for India, the culture, and his admiration for the impact Gabriel Project is making in the area.

“What amazing life-saving work you do”, said Mr Shoshani addressing the Gabriel Project team that cooks and delivers daily nutritious food to a hundred infants diagnosed with acute malnutrition.

At the Mokhada Rural Hospital, the only major hospital in the area serving a population of 180,000,Mr. Shoshani toured the site of the oxygen plant set-up by Gabriel Project and Israeli organization, IsraAID, to supply oxygen to the 30-bed ward where patients receive piped oxygen at their bedside. At the Nutritional Rehabilitation Center (NRC) Dr Mahesh Pail, Medical Superintendent of the Mokhada

Rural Hospital explained medical and nutritional challenges faced by many tribal families and praised GPM’s nutrition and health outreach programs at the NRC and in the surrounding villages.

“It is so inspiring to see Gabriel Project working so closely with the government health bodies”, said Mr Shoshani while at the only major hospital for 180,000 people. “This is a perfect example of how NGO’s can work with government for the sake of the people they serve.”

Next stop was to the center of the Mokhada market place, where the entourage entered GPMs office for processing grants and registering for essential government social services. Mr Shoshani handed out grant certificates to several residents and learned about the ambitious expansion of these services to all 59 villages of Mokhada; a GPM-IsraAID initiative.

Mr Shoshani visited GPMs village industry center where different women’s livelihood collectives produce various goods for sale. At the GPM showroom the Consul General purchased several items in support of the collectives.

At the Hirve Government Residential School, Mr Shoshani inaugurated GPM’s innovative STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Math) program for all 2100 7^th -12^th graders in the district government high-schools.

“The visit of the Consul General of Israel encourages and inspires our staff to do even more for the tribal people of Mokhada,” said GPM Senior Manager of Programs Thaiza Dias. “When dignitaries from far away come to visit our programs and communities, it boosts the morale of our local team members and validates our work. For the communities we serve, the Consul Generals’ visit helps widen their horizons and sends the message that development is not beyond their reach.”