The Negev town of Kiryat Malachi held a ceremony on Monday to thank JNF UK for its projects to improve the town.

JNF UK has taken on 15 projects in the town, aimed at giving the residents a better quality of life and making the area more attractive for future citizens.

Mayor Eliyahu Lalo Zohar presented a certificate of appreciation to JNF’s chairman, Samuel Hayek, and to KKL Israel co-chairman Dr Uzi Landau. He said: “JNF UK is changing the face of the Negev, and Kiryat Malachi”.

Combining the “thank-you” ceremonies with the town’s Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations, the day featured three kindergarten inaugurations — JNF UK plans to renovate 10 state kindergartens in all, including one for special needs children — and a cornerstone ceremony for a projected new youth centre. Members of the donor families attended from the UK.

The three kindergartens are named in honour of Fritzi Waters, Bella Robinson-Zel, and Sylvia and John Williams.

More than 2,000 Kiryat Malachi residents attended the event, including 1,500 children. During the kindergarten inaugurations children presented short performances about Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Samuel Hayek told the crowd: “We are proud of JNF UK’s determination to change the face of the Negev, one town at a time. Our donors are such strong Israel supporters and we have found wonderful enthusiasm and feedback for the projects we are undertaking in Kiryat Malachi.”