Maya's Smile: From Tragedy to Inspiration

Maya and her family in the Ariel snow

 

Maya Ariel-Nahalon realizes her dream and gives face injury victims a reason to smile

 

When Ariel resident Maya Ariel-Nahalon was 16-years-old, her family got into a terrible car accident. Thankfully, her parents survived, but her father emerged with serious face injuries. Having lost all of his teeth, he required extensive facial surgery to re-acquire basic use of his mouth. Her mother was more fortunate, although she too suffered from facial injuries.

 

"It made me realize how difficult a face injury is. It hurts your social life, your professional life, everything," said Maya, 29. Maya is the recipient of one of the college scholarships that American Friends of Ariel provides for Ariel residents who display a commitment to improving their communities. Recipients study at an academic institution of their choice.

 

This traumatic event inspired Maya towards a career in dentistry with a focus on facial rehabilitation. Last year she completed her degree at Hadassah Dentistry School in Jerusalem (one of two dentistry programs in Israel) and is now beginning three-years of clinical work, commuting from her home in Ariel. Studies require a full-time commitment.

 

Maya and her husband of six years raise their five-year-old son, Yaheli. To reduce the cost of living so that Maya could study full-time, they currently live with her parents who had moved to Ariel from Bat Yam when she was a little girl.

 

"My parents looked for a quieter place with a higher quality of life...It was an atmosphere where new things were happening."

 

Since the accident, Maya couldn't rely on parental support to make her dream come true. Her parents' injuries precluded their ability to work full-time and provide her with the college education that most parents dream of giving their children.

 

When she heard about college scholarships for Ariel residents made available by American Friends of Ariel, she applied immediately. Her scholarship was made possible by a donation from the Faith Bible Chapel (FBC) in Colorado given in loving memory of Brenda Wygant, a frequent visitor to Ariel with the FBC International Singers and Dancers. The scholarship enables Brenda to contribute posthumously to the city she loved. A vineyard has also been planted in Brenda's honor in the southern Ariel hills.

 

"Whenever they come to Israel, I join them on their tours to Ariel to say 'hi.' It's an opportunity to say thank you," Maya said.

 

The annual scholarship has cut her tuition in half.

 

"If not for this scholarship, my education wouldn't have been possible."

 

She looks forward to a career in facial rehabilitation and to continuing to raise her family in Ariel, the city she loves.

Make Their Dreams Come True

Give Ariel's young adults the gift of an education 

 

Every year, American Friends of Ariel provides scholarships to Ariel residents towards their undergraduate studies nationwide. The scholarship committee requires and reviews basic criteria such as Ariel residency, financial need, and readiness to give back. Give online.

 

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Anyone and everyone can become a part of the Ariel community. Wherever you may live, a monthly contribution towards Ariel's lead initiatives strengthen and empower our ever-growing community - both for those of us who reside in Ariel, and for those of us who are personally engaged with our extraordinary city.

 

The American Friends of Ariel organization has always given the city and people of Ariel the extra edge to succeed. With the help of our friends across the globe, we have been able to breathe additional life into the thriving city. Our monthly projects range from education to social services, heritage enrichment to personal empowerment, support for our young enlisting soldiers to respect for our seasoned residents. Now, by joining the Ariel Community Network, you no longer have to choose which initiative to support!

 

Ariel Community Network members will receive a monthly update about the projects they support, and the lives that they're impacting. We want to invite you into the personal side of Ariel, so that you can appreciate what we're experiencing and building together. No donation is too small. No gift will go un-invested.

 

Consider how much you can invest in monthly gifts to Ariel, and take the first step. We can't wait for you to join us!

 

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Contact:
Israel Office, office@friendsofariel.org, 972 (3) 936-4406

Avi Zimmerman, Executive Director, avi@friendsofariel.org

Orit Arfa, Director of Communications and Visitor Services, orit@friendsofariel.org