Making Hope for Gaza

A yoga fundraiser is aiming to unite the community and bring hope to suffering families.

Israeli national Noa Vodnizky has been living in Nelson since 2002 and says she has felt nothing but despair at the situation in Gaza.

She says organizing a fundraiser for Clean Shelter felt like moving from complete despair into a place of love through service.

Clean Shelter is a small, but effective organisation founded by two women who met online, one Palestinian, one Israeli.

With just a handful of people working within the organisation, Noa says funds go directly to those on the ground, supporting with sanitation needs.

“They provide tents, showers, toilets, water distilling that provides water to 700 families daily. They aim to firstly support families that are children and mothers only and special care for women with disabilities and elderly,” Noa says.

“It’s really dear to my heart because it was started by a Palestinian and Israeli and I believe that only together we can change our future.

“Yoga is a way of calming the nervous system, a way to unite in something that is universal. You can connect without narrative. We are all here because we want the same thing we don’t have to get into the details.”

Making Hope is on Sunday, 18 August, 4.30pm-6pm at Trafalgar Hall. $40 donation to Clean Shelter

The event is suitable to all levels and will include a short meditation, chanting of the healing mantra, some movement, and a long Yoga Nidra relaxation practice.

Register in advance to noavcounselling@gmail.com or simply place a donation.

“With love from Nelson to Gaza,” Noa says.