---
title: FIRST brings trust between communities
description: FIRST is a global robotics community preparing young people for the future and the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education.
image: https://community.firstinspires.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/395x380-Hero.jpg
---

### Mohamed Abu Fawdah

Mentor of *FIRST* Robotics Competition Team 1946, FG in Tamra, Israel 

Mohamed Abu Fawdah started the first-ever Arab/Israeli *FIRST* team in 2005, no simple task in an Israeli state. Mohamed has done more than break the Arab/Israeli mold. He has started a multi-cultural team including boys and girls, where girls are treated as equals, which is rarely seen there. “We were fearful of bringing the wider conflict into the *FIRST* community,” said Alisha MacIntyre, founder and former co-regional director of *FIRST* Israel, “but it wasn’t even on the students’ radar. They became friends. Our conclusion: Technology, robots, and kids can bring trust between communities and better opportunities for all.”

### Associated quotes from student members:

Yaara Abu Fawdah, Alumna, *FIRST* LEGO League and *FIRST* Robotics Competition; Neuroscience student, Tel Aviv University:

> “It’s empowering that an Arab’s perception of Jews and a Jew’s perception of Arabs is a little bit changed and different. We can live together and make beautiful robots together.”

Nadine Khanan, Alumna,* FIRST* Robotics Competition; Medical student, Tel Aviv University:

> “Our team has a majority of girls. It made us feel special and different in a good way.”

Nuur Awhad, 10th Grader:

> “I never thought I could ever be a part of something like this. It’s so much bigger than building robots. It changes the way you think.”

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