“This is a happy day for all of us – we are fortunate to expand our program to an annual enrollment of close to 50 children,” SOS Chairman, Isaac Agassi, said at the facility's recent opening.
In the village of Ka'abiyye there are approximately 5,000 Bedouin families, most of whom are supported by the social welfare agencies due to socio-economic hardship. An estimated 270 children need after-school child care services. SOS Israel seeks to assist this target population by offering its high quality programming model which accommodates 15 children from 7 to 12 years of age in each center. The program enhances their social skills, gives them opportunities to explore math, science and literature and helps them with school homework. It also provides hot meals and offers extracurricular activities and excursions.
Yitzchak Agassi, Chairman of SOS Children Villages: "I thank SOS International and the Ministry of Welfare for their important contributions to this exemplary program that promotes equality among all ethnic and religious sectors in Israel. There is nothing greater than working to foster common educational goals for our children. We are already looking to the future and anticipate opening a fourth after-school child care facility."
Zidan Ka'abiya, head of the Local Council of Ka'abiyye: "We are happy and proud to be part of this joint effort. This deep and meaningful cooperation fills us with energy and determination to constantly strive for the very best for our children. With two after-school facilities already operating for two years, we are now blessed with a third facility run by a wonderful staff. We are confident they'll succeed as did their counterparts in the two earlier centers."
Ahituv Gershinsky, National Director of SOS Children's Villages, Israel: "This program has the ability to accommodate the very special challenges facing the children of the Bedouin sector at this time. We provide a vital link between the educational framework and the home, helping to bridge gaps which have evolved through insufficient family support.