Mrs. Gila Almagor - A Movie Star Devoted to Bringing Joy to Terminally Ill Children

Mr. Raphael Gamzou, Representative of the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei (ISECO) (3rd from left), Mrs. Gila Almagor (center), ISECO staff and our Association members

Receipt from the Gila Almagor Wishes Foundation for the US$5,000 from Master

On October 10, Golden Year 6 (2009), at the Sheraton Hotel in Taipei, our Association members, on behalf of Supreme Master Ching Hai, presented the Shining World Compassion Award to Mrs. Gila Almagor, a renowned Israeli movie star and successful author. This Award is to commend her charitable and loving endeavors in bringing joy to destitute and terminally ill children. Also invited to the Award ceremony was Mr. Raphael Gamzou, Representative of the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei (ISECO).

Mrs. Gila Almagor is the Founder of the Gila Almagor Wishes Foundation that has been taking care of many destitute children suffering from terminal cancers for the past 32 years. Furthermore, to create opportunities for the sick kids and their emotionally strained family members to have fun together, the Foundation takes them on trips to other countries every two years. Mrs. Gila Almagor expressed heartfelt joy and appreciation upon receiving the exquisite crystal Award plaque, thank you letter, gifts and US$5,000 contribution from Master. She mentioned that the charitable funds will be used to help more needy and sick children.

The Foundation also extends its care to the healthy children of families with severely ill children because on many occasions they tend not to receive as much attention as the seriously ill sibling. Mrs. Almagor explains, “So we take the sick children and their whole families to go on trips, enjoying the green grass and the seaside; let them have some laughter and somehow forget about the hospital.” Regarding her work, she humbly said, “I found that I have not given any strength to the children. On the contrary, it was I who have gained strength from them. I think that this Foundation is my life achievement.”

Not only has Mrs. Almagor been a vegetarian since the age of 14, she has also influenced some of her friends to adopt this compassionate lifestyle. She feels the world should change their attitude towards other beings, “Animals have the right to live like we humans. I know that many regions in the world are in famine, not enough food, but it doesn’t mean that we have to kill the animals.” “We must teach the children to treat the animals and the great nature with love, and that should be included in the school curriculum. I think all the natural disasters happening in the world now are punishments for humans. Before it is too late, we must change our diet. Be Veg! Go Green! Save the Planet!”

We applaud and cheer this radiant vegetarian movie star, Mrs. Gila Almagor, for rendering so much kindness and care to terminally ill children, and for setting an outstanding example of love in action.