(Jerusalem - April 18, 2005) - Caritas Jerusalem in cooperation with the Italian NGO, Overseas, Caritas Modena, the Municipality of Modena and the members from the Italian Sports Center jointly celebrated the opening and dedication of a new sports/cultural center in the village of Ain Arik (see map). This new center will immediately start working to help develop the skills of the 1,200 citizens of Ain Arik, a small village located five kilometers west of Ramallah. The center will begin providing computer training, English language and community development training and a full program of sports related activities for the local people. This new center will be managed by Caritas Jerusalem in coordination with a consultative committee from the village of Ain Arik.
The program for the center's inauguration started with a morning Mass in the Latin Church at Ain Arik. His Beatitude Monsignor Michel Sabbah, the Patriarch of Jerusalem and Caritas Jerusalem's President, officiated the concelebratory Mass seeking God's blessings on the new center and its work in Ain Arik. The Mass was followed by the official ceremony of the inauguration of the new center. To begin the ceremony, HB Msgr. Michel Sabbah, thanked all of the people in attendance and commented on the importance of the work of this new center in building up the society in Ain Arik. He asked for all parties to cooperate to ensure that the center's work will be a success. Next, Mr. Stefano Prampolini, the President of the Italian Sports Center of Modena, spoke about their interest in helping the region of Ain Arik through cultural activities and sports and expressed their delight about being involved in this project. In addition, Mr. Mauro Baschieri, the director of the Italian NGO, Overseas, spoke as well about the importance of cultural and sports development among the citizens and youth of Ain Arik. Next, the President of the Modena Municipal Council, Mr. Antonino Marino spoke about their commitment to helping the youth develop in Ain Arik. To conclude, the Mayor Ain Arik, Mr. Khalil Shaheen, thanked all of the sponsors and partners as well as all of the attendees from Italy and the local region for their commitment to this important project in Ain Arik.
Following the inauguration, members of the Italian Sports Center supervised a program with Ain Arik's children utilizing the new center's playground followed by the official ribbon cutting ceremony after which the delegation toured the new center. The program concluded with exchanges of gifts between the various partners to this program. -END-
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