ABOUT MAKSAM

The MAKSAM program in Hadera began in 1996 through the cooperative efforts of young Ethiopian activists who saw the need for programs run by Ethiopians for Ethiopians. During its early days, the program operated out of a derelict bomb shelter, but the strength of its volunteers and its ongoing successes have resulted in today's MAKSAM network of six centers in Hadera.

MAKSAM's core activities are the After-School Study and Enrichment Program and the Summer Schedule.

The MAKSAM centers provide an environment where the local community can develop in ways that it feels are appropriate. MAKSAM is unique in that it is supervised by an all-volunteer Ethiopian Management Committee.

Volunteer Recognition

Evidence of the program's remarkable volunteer support from the Ethiopian community is shown by the recognition that the MAKSAM volunteers have received:
  • President of Israel's Award for Exceptional Volunteer Effort
  • City of Hadera's Volunteer Unit, Award for Outstanding Volunteerism
  • Mayor of Hadera's Award for Volunteerism
  • Minister of Absorption's Award for Volunteer Effort
  • The 2003 Igal Alon Award, presented to one organization each year that makes a unique contribution to promoting social values in Israel
Our Vision

Our vision is that future young Ethiopian-Israelis will be confident, capable youngsters, well able to assert themselves with their peers in and out of school - they will have the ambition to use education as a means of social mobility. The traditional sense of responsibility for the community that was inherent in Ethiopia will resurface as successful young people view themselves as active, contributing members of Israeli society. Today we are beginning to see professional Ethiopian-Israelis emerging from universities. In 15 years we hope that Israeli society will be accustomed to seeing successful Ethiopian-Israelis finding their place in a wide range of professions and careers.

Our Mission

Our mission is to advance the successful absorption of the Ethiopian-Israeli community by strengthening the collective and individual self esteem of the community's children; and providing them with the academic reinforcement they need to succeed in the Israeli educational system.

MAKSAM's goals are to:
  • Strengthen the individual and community identities of Ethiopian youngsters that will provide a foundation of confidence to improve their coping skills in Israel's hi-tech society
  • Improve the academic and social performance of Ethiopian school-age children so they graduate the school system with ambition and aspirations
  • Create a neighborhood hub that will support and encourage the local Ethiopian parents to actively support their children's education; and that provides an environment where the local community can develop in ways that it feels are appropriate
  • Provide a safe alternative to the negative behaviors of unoccupied, discontent youth; and a safe place off the streets away from the danger of possible terrorist attacks
  • Provide a role model for other Ethiopian communities within Israel
As a result of the Israeli Government's series of budget cuts to the social welfare sector, MAKSAM today relies largely on contributions from charitable foundations and individual donors, together with some ongoing support from the Jewish Federated Communities, the JDC-Israel and the Jewish Agency/Keren Hayesod.