RACHEL'S WORK LIVES ON

The following was sent to me..


INVITING THE WORLD TO JOIN THE OPENING OF
THE REBUILT HOME RACHEL CORRIE STOOD TO PROTECT



Fourth Anniversary of American Activist DeathKilled by Israeli Bulldozer

Palo Alto Calif., March 16, 2007 - Today, on the fourth anniversary of the killing of American activist Rachel Corrie, The Rebuilding Alliance and partner NGO Gaza Community Mental Health Programme invite the world to reach through the blockade of Gaza to join a series of "Housewarming Teleconferences" in April to celebrate the opening of the first home in the Rachel Corrie Rebuilding Campaign in Gaza.

Four years ago, on March 16, 2003, twenty-three year old Rachel Corrie stood with her megaphone to stop the Israeli army bulldozer that threatened the Gaza home of the Nasrallah family. She had lived with that family and knew there were 5 children inside the home. The bulldozer driver did not stop and Rachel was killed. The Israeli Army destroyed 2200 homes in that Rafah Gaza town.

Rachel was a member of the International Solidarity Movement. Formed when the UN Security Council failed refused to send UN peacekeepers, Rachel joined a civilian movement from all over the world to help stand with Palestinians in their nonviolent struggle against the Israeli occupation.

"Her memory is an inspiration to us," said Mr. Hussam El Nounou, co-founder of the NGO, Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, "because she gave the ultimate sacrifice for a just cause that was not her own. She, and the hundreds who stand with us here, restores our faith in the goodness of the American people."

In April, dignitaries from around the world will be guest speakers in a series of "Housewarming Teleconferences" co-sponsored by the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme in partnership with the American nonprofit, The Rebuilding Alliance.


"Though Gaza remains blockaded by the Israeli Army with devastating consequences on the daily life of its 1.3 million residents," said explains Donna Baranski-Walker, Exec Director of the Rebuilding Alliance, "we will connect audiences a hundred at a time, using telephone conferences to celebrate the opening of the first home in the Rachel Corrie Rebuilding Campaign in Gaza."


Guest speakers will include religious leaders, political representatives, philanthropists, and entertainers. At least oneOne teleconference will be held in Arabic, one in Hebrew, and the rest in English. The teleconferences are open to the public, and people in Gaza and throughout the world are invited to register by going to www.RebuildingAlliance.org

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The Rachel Corrie Rebuilding Campaign is jointly sponsored by the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme in partnership with the American NGO, the Rebuilding Alliance. A seven state U.S. speaking tour in May, 2007 will feature Mr. Husam El Nounou from Gaza will join Rebuilding Allianceand Rebuilding Alliance board member Jerusalem Rabbi Jeremy Milgrom for a six state U.S. speaking tour in May of this yearfrom Jerusalem, 2007.

Mr. Hussam El Nounou is part of the founding team of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP) along with Dr Eyad El Sarraj. As the public relations coordinator for GCMHP, he serves as editor-in-chief of a bi-monthly magazine, Amwaj, has chaired the organizing Committees for 5 international conferences, and represents GCMHP in the Palestinian Non-governmental Organizations Network (PNGO) where he served as the first coordinator for the Network Steering Committee. Fluent in English and his native Arabic, Mr. El Nounou is also proficient in Hebrew. Mr. El Nounou traveled to the U.S. in 2000 as part of the "International Visitors Programme" organized by the US State Department. He deeply believes in peace and coexistence and sees the Rachel Corrie Rebuilding Campaign as an important way for ordinary people to impact a devastating human rights issue.

Mr. Hussam El Nounou is part of the founding team of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme(GCMHP) along with Dr Eyad El Sarraj. As the public relations coordinator for GCMHP, he serves as editor-in-chief of a bi-monthly magazine, Amwaj, has chaired the organizing Committees for 5 international conferences, and represents GCMHP in the Palestinian Non-governmental Organizations Network (PNGO) where he served as the first coordinator for the Network Steering Committee. Fluent in English and his native Arabic, Mr. El Nounou is also proficient in Hebrew. Mr. El Nounou traveled to the U.S. in 2000 as part of the "International Visitors Programme" organized by the US State Department. He deeply believes in peace and coexistence and sees this (rebuilding? his work at GCMHP? - what is "this" referring to - please clarify) as a human rights issue, one that ordinary people can impact.


The partnership between GCMHP is the Palestinian NGO that partners with and the Rebuilding Alliance in the Rachel Corrie Rebuilding Campaign in Gaza, to provides trauma recovery by through helping Palestinian families and communities rebuild their demolished homes and schools. GCMHP is a Palestinian non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 1990 to provide comprehensive community mental health services - therapy, training and research - to the population of the Gaza Strip. Since that time, the Gaza Strip - one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with two thirds of the population being refugees and 50% being younger than 16 years - has witnessed extreme forms of violence and suffering, due to Israeli occupation and military operations. This made the extent of mental health problems in the Gaza reach unprecedented levels. Today, after 17 years, GCMHP remains the leading organization in Palestine in providing psycho-social programs, adopting a comprehensive, community based approach for working with children, women, and victims of human rights violations. Read more at www.GCMHP.net

Donna Baranski-Walker is the founder and Executive Director of the Rebuilding Alliance. She holds a B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.S. from the University of Hawaii.

The Rebuilding Alliance, an American nonprofit based in Palo Alto California, is committed to rebuildings homes and communities in regions of war and occupation. TRA advocates for government policies towards these regions based on human rights and international law. Through a mutual commitment to justice, TRA creates alliances among supporters, partners, and those who suffer injustice and violence, yet resist through rebuilding. TRA projects are symbols of hope that help rebuild shattered communities and offer people around the world immediate ways to make peace, starting with the tangible support of a family's right to a home. Read more at www.RebuildingAlliance.org

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The Rebuilding Alliance is the recipient of the Employer of the Year Award from the San Francisco Mayor's Committee for the Employment of Persons with Disabilities. Our vision for Rebuilding Neighborhoods in areas of war and occupation was featured in the Changemakers Entrepreneuring Peace international competition.

The Rebuilding Alliance, a 501c3 nonprofit organization (EIN 56- 2392452), rebuilds homes and communities in regions of war and occupation. We advocate for government policies towards these regions based on human rights and international law. Donations are tax deductible in the U.S.

"Rebuilding Homes, Changing Policy"

457 Kingsley Avenue
Palo Alto, California 94301
United States

phone: 650 325-4663
fax: 650 325-4667
email: info@RebuildingAlliance.org
www.RebuildingAlliance.org