Learn more about CIDO's history, team and hear what people say about us.
Shawky Fahel, CIDO's Founder and Chairman was raised in Jaffa, Israel, in a family with strong Christian faith principles. He was taught from an early age the importance of helping people and giving back to the community, and it has been his life-long practice to help others.
Since its beginning, CIDO has spearheaded several international projects that have had an indelible impact on the recipient community. This has included:
I take this opportunity to encourage you, all associated with the work of [St. Joseph's] Hospital, always to give the best of yourselves in generous service to the sick, with the greatest respect for their human dignity and their unique value in the eyes of God.
Through CIDO's partnership with the scouting organizations in five Middle East communities, long-term peace and conflict resolution outcomes can begin to be addressed. Your focus on youth activities that build leadership and citizenship values will have significant future benefits.
I would like to express my admiration for the charitable work CIDO is undertaking. I am sure it will grow to be an important link between Palestinians and Canadians. Your efforts contribute positively to Canada's image and reinforce our own objectives.
Through your new project you will provide youth with opportunities to learn new life skills regardless of differences or the family they were born into. This will leave a lasting impact on these young people's lives and provide them with incredible life experiences that will stay with them well into their futures.
CIDO's focus on addressing the needs of Indigenous communities and providing the resources necessary to thrive particularly resonates with my community and represents a commitment that the Government of Canada has made to all Canadians.
We are pleased that you as a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Kitchener are carrying forward Rotary values in a practical and very energetic way that could bring very important results for youth as well as peace and conflict resolution in the Middle East.
Thanks to your support, we launched last week the first-ever seminar for 10th-11th grade Scouts, in which we explored the idea of living together and improving the society in Israel. The 90 Scouts participated in joint activities focusing on topics related to co-existence and youth's ability to bring about social change. They also took part in practical joint volunteer communal activities in the city of Shefa-'Amr.
I never imagined that these kinds of friendships would be created. I can confess that the strongest bond I had was with a Christian girl from Jaffa. I will tell you a little secret—we cried when we said goodbye.
On behalf of the Orthodox institutions in Ramleh, we deeply appreciate your concern and attempt to assist our community and the Orthodox Scouts. Your efforts are making a genuine change.
I am impressed by the demonstrated commitment of CIDO for the improvement in the standard of living of those living in the Middle East, particularly youth. Our Canadian youth are fortunate to have access to programs and services to nurture their quality of life. The generoisty of those who support CIDO to bring similar opportunities to youth in the Middle East is worthy of our support.
I think that it is so important that there is an emphasis on community youth, with a focus oin the importance of helping them build life skills.