Yad Ezra V’Shulamit Plans to Expand the Children Center for Ethiopian Israeli Children
Dec 03, 2024
Our Work with the Ethiopian Israeli Community
Yad Ezra V’Shulamit supports Ethiopian Israeli families through our weekly food baskets project, which includes chicken, fish, rice, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and more. These food baskets allow families to maintain their dignity by ensuring regular meals.
Over 2.5 million people in Israel live below the poverty line, with children representing a significant percentage of this statistic. The Ethiopian Israeli community is constantly facing increased socio-economic and cultural challenges which contribute to high rates of poverty, social isolation, and limited academic success. Many Ethiopian children find themselves in a cycle of poverty that continues into adulthood, affecting their ability to integrate successfully into Israeli society.
Our team at Yad Ezra V’Shulamit recognizes the urgent need for direct support for these communities. In 2023, a pilot project was launched in Neve Yaakov to support 100 Ethiopian Israeli children. Fifty at-risk teens participated in weekly evening programs featuring vocational training in computer repair, dinners, games, and discussions. Due to the project’s success and enthusiastic feedback from parents, we have opened a new Children’s Center in Neve Yaakov for Ethiopian Israeli children in need. The Center is already open twice a week and will be fully operational once the yearly budget has been secured.
The new Children’s Center in Neve Yaakov is designed to provide holistic support to Ethiopian Israeli children and aims to equip them with the significant tools they need to live a better life.
What the Children’s Center Offers
The Children’s Center will be open two afternoons a week, and we are hoping to raise enough money through our December matching campaign to expand to five days a week. It is a place of safety and hope for 40 children learning in grades 1-4. The children will receive selected support systems personalized to their unique needs.
The center will offer:
- Educational Support: Children will receive tutoring and assistance with homework to help them catch up with their peers academically. Through small class sizes, children will receive individual attention to build their self-confidence and academic skills.
- Therapeutic Services: Counselling and therapy sessions will address emotional needs and help them build resilience.
- Nutritional Support: Hot meals will be provided twice a week. With additional funding, we hope to expand this service to offer meals daily. Regular hot meals play a crucial role in preventing malnutrition and supporting healthy cognitive and physical development.
- Enrichment Activities: Life skills lessons, holiday celebrations, and a summer camp will be offered to provide inspiring and educational experiences.
Local Community Involvement
An important part of the project’s success is its engagement with the local Ethiopian Israeli community. Tutors and counselors from the community serve as role models and work towards bridging cultural gaps and strengthening communal bonds. This helps the children integrate into society through learning experiences and creates a sense of belonging and identity.
The Need for Support
Despite the generosity of the Jerusalem Municipality, which covers operational expenses, Yad Ezra V’Shulamit is facing a significant financial challenge as it strives to maintain and expand this important service. The annual budget required to keep the center running is substantial, and every contribution has the potential to make a deep impact.
Join Us in Making a Difference
As Yad Ezra V’Shulamit continues to serve these children and their communities, we reach out to you to join this important mission. Your support can help us expand this project and provide life-changing help to those in need.
To learn more about how you can help, or to make a donation to this cause, please visit Yad Ezra V’Shulamit’s website.
Together, we can bring hope for a better future to hundreds of impoverished children and break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time.