Yad L’Ami has devoted much effort in helping to alleviate the often distressing circumstances in the communities in the immediate vicinity of the Gaza Strip.
Our intension is concentrated on different projects.
- FAMILIES
- ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY FOR TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN/YOUNGSTES
- THE SCHOOL
- GIRLS HOME
-
MOSHELE’S ORGANIC GARDEN
-
INVESTING IN THE YOUTH
Families
Yad L’Ami supports vulnerable families living in Sderot and the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip in close cooperation with the Israeli social services. This support includes the provision of food coupons, the provision of basic necessities [refrigerators, washing machines, bunk beds for the children, ect ] and the financing of education programs. At Yad L’Ami, we take a very personal approach in our activities, placing an arm around the shoulder of someone who is desperate, listening attentively to his story, and in some cases taking specific action. We encourage you to participate with us! In war situations, families are sometimes evacuated to another area of the country.
The continuing threat of war and the rain of rockets from Gaza has emotionally traumatized many children and young people. They have lost their self confidence. Apathy and existential fear paralyze their development. Animal assisted therapy is often used to assist this vulnerable group to overcome their trauma. By learning to train dogs, horses or other animals, traumatized children and young people acquire the skills to train themselves. For example, when teaching a dog to focus, the same focus is demanded of the trainer. The results are encouraging and sometimes amazing!
Help to make this therapy possible! We encourage you to invest in the recovery and development of these children and young people.
The School
Kibbutz Sa’ad is located less than three kilometers from the Gaza Strip. For the past twenty-two years, this kibbutz has hardly known any peace due to the frequent rocket bombardment from Gaza. We have been visiting this school, which is very focused on the well-being of the children, since 2014. Children who lose concentration as a result of the trauma are immediately singled out and receive therapy. Yad L’Ami provides support for dog and horse therapies. This is a beautiful project to support!
Girls Home
The girls’ home is a safe haven for about 45 girls who, for various reasons, can no longer live with their families. They are lovingly given shelter in this girl’s home and are being prepared for their military or national service. Many of the girls have been severely traumatized by abuse and drug use. Yad L’Ami seeks to stand beside these girls and invites financial partners to help. A big group of girls receive music therapy paid for by Yad L’Ami. What can’t be said with words, can be expressed through music. Please participate in this project that restores hope and helps get lives back on track.
Moshele’s Organic Garden
The children can’t wait to return to the garden to work the soil with their hands, take care of the animals, and participate in group conversations. The whole region now knows Moshele, the therapist and social worker at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai. We bring groups of children from various communities surrounding the Gaza Strip to receive help in dealing with fear and regaining control after rocket bombardment.
Investing in the youth
Since last year, you have been able to read regularly about the youth clubs. Many young people in five different villages and kibbutzim close to the Gaza border finally have a place for themselves. There are no bars in these communities, but there is leadership that takes care of them. Now they have a “home” for themselves, which they built with their own hands.
We’re not there yet. In the meantime, there is still a pergola needed for the entrance to Kibbutz Erez, which they will build themselves, and music boxes for Netiv HaAsara, which were stolen. At the entrance to Sufa, close to the border with Egypt, there was a big fire in which trees and structures were destroyed. There, in a group activity, the youth together with the elderly will make a new entrance sign with the name of the community on it from pieces of stone.
