I have a strong feeling that Kayla Mueller caused significant damage. At best she seemed like a very misguided individual. That's really giving her the benefit of the doubt:
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/isis-held-u-s-hostage-kayla-mueller-inspired-former-professor-n302151Mueller went on to travel abroad and work in India, Palestine and the African Refugee Development Center in Israel, according to a statement released Friday on behalf of her family.
It was around that time, Thompson said, that Mueller "became 'my professor' as she visited Palestine and learned more about Syria."
"She educated me," Thompson said.
http://ardc-israel.org/en/content/who-are-weWho are we?
History
The African Refugee Development Center (ARDC) is a grassroots, community-based, non-profit organization that was founded in 2004 by African asylum seekers and Israeli citizens, in order to assist, protect and empower African refugees and asylum seekers in Israel. To date, the ARDC has served over 10,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Eritrea, Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and the Ivory Coast. Since January 2014 alone, the ARDC assisted 1000+ clients on matters relating to visa issues, relocation, refugee status determination, higher education, language courses, tutoring, and psycho-social therapy.
Vision
To enable and ensure that all refugees and asylum seekers are free from persecution, live in dignity and have an opportunity to realize their aspirations.
Mission
To empower, protect and assist African refugees and asylum seekers in Israel by advocating on their behalf and enabling processes that increase their awareness, ensure participation and inspire policy change.
Core Values
Grassroots
We maintain our status as a grassroots organization through actions and initiatives that spring from the community and delivered to the community, bringing about a sense of ownership, commitment and empowerment. As such, African asylum seekers will always hold key roles in decision-making and management of our organization.
Volunteer Based
We remain largely volunteer-based to maximize our resources and enable fulfilment of our goals and objectives. Our voluteers come from around the world, carrying with them a wealth of experience, and contribute greatly to the sustainability and professionalism of our work.
Integrity, Transparency & Accountability
We maintain the highest level of integrity in our work through accuracy, fairness, quality and full transparency towards our beneficiaries and supporters in order to bring about a genuine success in our work. We hold ourselves accountable and strive to fulfil the responsibilities that have been entrusted to us.
Innovation & Adaptability
We continue to improve the way we work, in order to better meet the needs of our beneficiaries, by responding rapidly to the changing reality on the ground, including all its constraints and opportunities.
Strategic goals
1. To safeguard the rights of African refugees and asylum seekers in Israel from harmful and unfair policies that violate international law;
2. To empower African refugees and asylum seekers in Israel by promoting independence, ownership and action toward a more dignified life;
3. To enable understanding, cooperation and peaceful coexistence between Israelis and asylum seekers.
Strategic Objectives
1. To promote impartiality, transparency and consistency in Israel’s asylum policy and procedure;
2. To strengthen the relationship between African asylum seekers in Israel and Israelis through collaborative projects that raise awareness and foster mutual understanding;
3. To increase life standards and self-worth among African asylum seekers by facilitating educational opportunities that will help them achieve their short- and long-term life objectives;
4. To foster confidence and independence of African asylum seeking women, an especially marginalized group, through provision of psycho-social services and enrichment opportunities;
5. To deliver comprehensive support to African asylum seekers in Israel by promoting integration in state-sponsored healthcare, welfare and education through partnerships with governmental institutions and other nonprofit organizations.
Sponsors & Supporters
The ARDC is currently funded by the Blooms Foundation, the European Commission, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Fund, the New Israel Fund, the Sigrid Rausing Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. The organization also receives capacity building support from Shatil organization and a number of individual monetary and in-kind donations.
Annually, the ARDC receives 100+ volunteers from Israel and abroad, who contribute their time and energy to help the organization meet its goals and objectives, as well as to execute each and every activity.
Partner Organizations
The ARDC maintains close partnerships with a variety of community and human rights organizations, governmental and municipal bodies, schools and universities, individuals and businesses. Among its partners are Assaf, CIMI, EWCC, HIAS Israel, Hotline for Migrant Workers, Kav LaOved, Physicians for Human Rights, The Refugee Rights Clinic at Tel Aviv University, Mesila, and others. The ARDC has also been an implementing partner of the UNHCR since 2009.
Governing Structure
The ARDC is headed by Director Solomon Mesghenna, who oversees all internal operations and ensures implementations of or strategic objectives.
The Board of Directors steers the organization, supports its long-term stability and serves as a link to the beneficiary population. Current Board Members are: Chairman Habtom Mehari, Vice-Chairman Moussa Abdulaye, Treasury Daniel Beaudoin, Secretary Asaf Calderon, Member Kidane Isaac and Member Musa Yousef.
The Audit Committee provides the financial oversight for the organization and advises the Board of Directors on the budget and financial affairs.
The ARDC Members make decisions on the strategy and workplan of the organizations, official protocols and give approval for the annual financial report.