The Australian Ambassador to Israel Visited CLICK's SAVI Aussie Project

Ms. Andrea Faulkner, the Australian Ambassador to Israel, visited the SAVI project run by CLICK and commented that "it was a great pleasure to see your terrific project"; founded in Melbourne Australia over thirty years ago by two philanthropists, Sara and Victor Fonda. The visit was organized by Dr. Linda Mosek, Director of CLICK and attended by Michal Adiv, wife to Hod-Hasharon's mayor and Mazal Sabag, manager of SAVI, Assaf Shamia, Chairman of the BOD, Esther Amir, member of the BOD and Debbi Meltzer a CLICK volunteer (photo attached). Taking part in the handicraft activity during the visit were also representatives of the municipality's youth committee, soldiers, volunteers and members of the day center for the elderly operated by CLICK. SAVI'S goal in Israel is to create a business foundation where the elderly are productively and respectfully employed. The project was born out of need to offer an alternative for the elderly population who are often viewed as a burden on society, but are capable and willing to be active and productive, while earning additional funds for their basic needs. The SAVI workshop produces raw materials for handicrafts, kits for self-assembly and gifts. The elderly are employed in cutting, sewing and packing the kits which are then sold to summer camps, kindergartens, schools, shops and the general public. SAVI appeared in the first report published in Israel on "Not Only Philanthropy - Business Social Initiatives in Israel", the first comparative review of projects in Israel, written by lawyer Rachel Benziman. The report "evaluates the potential to broaden the sources of income that are available to organizations in Israel who's goal is to improve social welfare by social entrepreneurship."