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Atidim Has Shown Me My Future |
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Volume 9, Issue 3 / Adar 5766 / March 2006
Like many Ethiopians, Ezra Yevarken (26) came to Israel at a young age by walking barefoot across the Sudan with his family. The third of seven children, Ezra was devastated when his parents divorced, and his father completely cut himself off from the family. In the army, Ezra served in the Golani combat unit and quickly rose in the ranks from private to lieutenant; he was one of the first few Ethiopians to do so.
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Ezra began his studies in electrical engineering at Bar Ilan University; he spent his nights working as a security guard. After his first year, his university adviser told him about the Atidim in Industry program. Ezra applied and was accepted and has only unlimited praise for the program.
“With the total financial support of Atidim, for the first time I can concentrate fully on my studies. They even gave me a laptop so I can work wherever I am. As part of the program I was "adopted" by Hewlett Packard, and I am learning so much there.”
As Benny Landa, founder and former CEO of Indigo – another program-sponsoring corporation – suggests, “The reason why Atidim is such a significant and important program is simple: Atidim develops what would have been wasted potential of some of the most talented youth in the country and changes their lives. These individuals, were it not for their background, would have been considered the most promising people in Israel. Atidim allows them to fulfill their potential and contribute fully to Israeli society.”
Atidim offers today's disadvantaged youth a more positive and enriching future. By bolstering traditionally disenfranchised bright young people, including new immigrants, Atidim truly transforms the landscape of Israeli society.
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