WIZO buys 5th house for children in need

TAMAR LAZARUS

With escalating hatred and tension, once again the Red Alert siren is heard in Israel with rockets falling in Sderot and in Ashkelon; once again children are forced to huddle in shelters instead of being able to run freely in the playground.

Two South African sponsored day care centres in Israel received crucial renovations to its bomb shelters allowing them to meet safety regulations and to be utilised in times of emergency as well as for daily sensorimotor activities.

Both the Raya Jaglom and the Inez Bernstein Day Care Centres in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, respectively, are in great demand due to their excellent reputations, and operate 24 hours a day in times of emergency.

As WIZO women we care for vulnerable children and youth. We provide them with living and learning facilities that give them hope and self worth and our reward is to watch them emerge as proud and purposeful citizens, eager to make a place for themselves in Israeli society.

To this end WIZO South Africa was able to purchase a fifth house for Neve WIZO, a unique project of foster homes that provides a physical refuge as well as a caring family environment for 40 children at risk.

The fifth home will be ready for occupation in August, but these children still require food, clothing and educational aids and our recent fundraising campaign will hopefully provide all this and more.

WIZO South Africa upgraded the Hand Bikes equipment at Beit Halochem Sport and Rehabilitation Centre in Haifa, enabling injured paraplegic soldiers and victims of terror to enjoy the outdoor sport of cycling. But so much more is needed to afford them the dignity of normal life.

Here in South Africa we need to ensure the future of our youth by supporting the Zionist youth camps and Israel programmes and are delighted when youth groups travelling to Israel visit our facilities for disadvantaged young people of similar ages. Somehow despite all the barriers they find common ground and mutual interest.

Sixty six years ago we received a precious gift – the State of Israel. Being Jewish, part of Am-Israel, means loving and cherishing our religion, history, culture, tradition and legacy.

WIZO South Africa would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to its benefactors, patrons and sponsors, members and donors, who gave so generously to its “Biennial Campaign”. The launch with guest speaker Dr Bernd Wollschlaeger, filled halls to capacity.   

Your kindness is deeply valued and your continued support helps us assist our beneficiaries and special projects in Israel in a meaningful and practical way. Your passion and care helps in the building and development of Medinat Israel in ALL fields of life for ALL its citizens.

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