01/07/2026
The first Monthly General Meeting (MGM) of the new fiscal year was graciously hosted at the Residence of the Ambassador of Palestine. Our sincere thanks go to our wonderful host, Mrs. Mona Almassri, spouse of the Ambassador of Palestine, who warmly opened the doors of her home and invited us to experience the richness of Palestinian culture, traditions, and hospitality. 🇵🇸❤️
Members enjoyed a truly memorable afternoon in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, surrounded by beautiful traditional Palestinian attire and authentic cultural displays. A highlight of the event was a live culinary demonstration by Mrs. Wafaa Siam, who introduced us to the preparation of “Kunafa”, one of Palestine's most beloved traditional desserts. 🥞✨
👋 Heartfelt Farewells
The meeting gave us an opportunity to bid a heartfelt farewell to our dear members, Mrs. Whitney Niu (DSA Deputy Treasurer) and Mrs. Gina Aristilde (spouse of the Canadian Ambassador), wishing them every success and happiness as they embark on their new journeys.
🤝 Honoring Our Valued Partners
We were especially delighted to welcome several of our valued partners whose generosity has made a meaningful difference to DSA's community projects. As a token of appreciation, DSA proudly presented Certificates of Appreciation to:
🛋️ Mr. Sidney Chirombo of Sofas Co., for his generous donation of furniture to the Family Support Room project at Sally Mugabe Hospital.
🪑 Mrs. Pauline Mackenzie, representing Chiro Public Accountants & Auditors, for their valuable contribution of additional furniture, tables, and chairs to the same project.
🧩 Mr. Gerry Maritz of Robertson's Building Systems (accepted in recognition of the generous donation made together with his business partner, Mr. Holger Wostenfeldt). Their donated play mats are already bringing joy to children at Jairos Jiri and Takunda Deaf School, with additional mats still to be distributed.
Looking ahead, the President concluded the meeting by thanking all members for their continued dedication, participation, and unwavering support of DSA activities, while encouraging everyone to remain actively involved in the exciting initiatives planned for the months ahead.
📸 A Culinary & Community Finale
The afternoon concluded with a group photo session followed by a delicious traditional Palestinian lunch, featuring a variety of authentic specialties, including the famous “Zarb”—a unique underground barbecue that offered a truly unforgettable culinary experience! 🔥🍖
Once again, our heartfelt thanks go to Mona and everyone who contributed to organizing such a wonderful gathering. It was a beautiful celebration of the spirit of giving that defines the DSA community. 🤝✨
