Triguboff centre to improve life for Bedouins opened
A new centre that will dedicate its work towards improving the living standards of the Bedouin community in Israel’s southern Negev region has been named after Jewish-Australian real estate magnate, Harry Triguboff.
The Triguboff Holistic Center for Vocational Training and Entrepreneurship was constructed in a timespan of just six months and is located in the Idan Hanegev Industrial Park near Rahat, the most highly populated Bedouin community in Israel.
The centre is also dubbed “SWITCH,” a word that characterizes the overall mission of the building, which seeks to “switch” the opportunities and living standards of Bedouins in the Negev for the better. SWITCH will offer local Bedouins vocational training and help in advancing their employment options and prospects. The centre will also have a particular focus in helping to empower Bedouin women by offering them training for not just employment but entrepreneurship as well.
“This project is not only geared towards increasing the quality of life but also life itself,” explained CEO of the Triguboff Institute, Shalom Norman.
Nicknamed “High-Rise Harry,” Sydney-based Triguboff is one of Australia’s wealthiest individuals, a celebrated philanthropist and owner of Meriton, the largest construction company in Australia. Triguboff, who was present for the naming ceremony, also set aside time to meet with local activists at Idan Hanegev’s “Nezid” factory. The meeting covered a wide array of issues relating to Bedouins in the Negev such as employment and entrepreneurship.
Triguboff also made a stopover in Segev Shalom, a Bedouin town located nearby, to meet with young women whose studies are being supported by the Triguboff Institute. Triguboff received a gift in tribute to his philanthropic support for locals.
While visiting the ANZAC Memorial Center, which is dedicated to the soldiers of Australia and New Zealand that fought in nearby Beersheba and other parts of Israel during World War I, Triguboff received another gift from Beersheba’s mayor, Ruvik Danilovich.
Scheduled to open in spring 2019, the Triguboff Center will particularly focus on promoting employment of Bedouin women. In that vein, the centre will provide a wide array of services for Bedouin women including professional counselling on parenting, family planning, health, household management and nutrition of children.