This year, Israel’s embassy in the Philippines participated in Brigada Eskwela at Makati High School with its own brigade and “weapons of choice” – paint, brushes, hammers and nails – as part of the embassy’s humanitarian work and “giving-back” projects under the banner programme “Thank You Philippines”.

Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide voluntary effort by teachers, parents, students, community members and other organisations to do minor repairs and clean-ups of their schools in preparation for the start of the new school year. The “Thank You Philippines” programme commemorates the rescue of 1,300 Jews from the Holocaust during WWII and the moral victory of the Philippines through the open-door policy of thenPresident Manuel Quezon and the open hearts of Filipinos.

Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Effie Ben Matityau, and some embassy staff joined Brigada Eskwela and were engaged in the painting and repair of blackboards and furniture.