As in previous years, Heroes for Life and WJC-Israel, in collaboration with the Jewish community of Guatemala, sent a delegation of young Israeli army veterans to Guatemala to assist local communities. The volunteers helped renovate centers for the underprivileged and engaged in meaningful activities with local children. The delegation, named Team Matan (in memory of IDF Sergeant Matan Gottlieb z"l), worked closely with the local Jewish community, focusing on improving the living conditions of disadvantaged children through hands-on projects.
During this recent mission, a major diplomatic milestone was achieved. On September 20, H.E. Bernardo Arévalo, President of Guatemala, warmly welcomed the "Matan Guatemala team" to his official residence. In a heartfelt and unique gesture, the president conversed with the volunteers in Hebrew, a language he learned while studying at Hebrew University.
This memorable meeting was the result of a conversation 10 months ago between Israeli President Isaac Herzog and the Guatemalan president, during which President Herzog shared that his son had volunteered with Heroes for Life in Guatemala. Moved by this connection, President Arévalo expressed his appreciation for the ongoing missions and promised to personally thank the next delegation. The meaningful encounter was coordinated with the assistance of the Israeli Embassy in Guatemala, particularly Ambassador Alon Lavi.
Nir Shoham, WJC-Israel board member who accompanied the delegation, reflected on the friendly atmosphere during the meeting and emphasized the unique opportunity for deepening ties between Guatemala and Israel.
Hadassa Getsztain, Chairperson of WJC-Israel, shared her thoughts: "This gathering highlights the powerful bond between Guatemala and Israel and the enduring role of Jewish values in global diplomacy and humanitarian work. We are proud to stand alongside Heroes for Life in these important efforts."
"We also wish to express our deep gratitude to the Jewish community in Guatemala, especially the community's director, Ilan Lopez, for their steadfast support. Their invaluable contributions have played a key role in strengthening the ties between our nations and supporting humanitarian efforts that foster understanding and cooperation."
