Let me start by telling you how I came to learn of Aleh Negev Nahalat Eran. Just over a year ago I was lucky enough to partake on a JNF mission in the Negev. I had been to Israel before but never had I seen the Negev in the detail as I saw. One of the many stops on this trip was to a rehabilitation village. It was created by a commander of the Israeli army named Doron Almog. He had a son with disabilities who needed some sort of residential therapeutic place that at the time didn't exist. Almog and his wife dreamed of this place and with the help of the Israeli government and JNF it became a reality. As you may or may not know, people with special needs have a special place in my heart. When I saw all that AN had to give to these special people I was blown away to say the least. The village for lack of a better word contains a hospital, outpatient rehab facility that includes a hydrotherapy pool, horseback riding facilities, individual residences for those who have nowhere else to live, employment center for those who are able to make beautiful crafts to sell, an integrated kindergarten and petting zoo.. This was a magical place for me to visit. I knew then that I had to become a part of this magic. So I committed to giving them my time. I started taking Hebrew lessons last May and was quite diligent in my studies hoping that this would help me communicate with all the people at AN.
Leading up to this trip I thought I was prepared emotionally, intellectually and with my Hebrew language learning.
Today was my first day and I am overwhelmed. The staff, both paid and volunteer welcomed me with open arms but that didn't prepare me for what I saw. I saw how they give of themselves beyond the imaginable.
I have been placed to work in a residential house with 24 residents who they classify as high functioning. These high functioning adults are of mixed gender and mostly nonverbal. My charge will be to dress them feed them and promote all that they can do on their own. Today I worked with three women who packaged small ceramic doves in boxes which entailed putting stickers on each ceramic piece, opening a box, putting them in and closing the box. Their pride illuminated the room and my heart.
I am truly overwhelmed with emotion and feeling somewhat drained from this first day here.
I was told to take it easy as these feelings will be ones I will have everyday.
I am blessed by being here.
Thank you to my family for allowing me this indulgence of good.
Leading up to this trip I thought I was prepared emotionally, intellectually and with my Hebrew language learning.
Today was my first day and I am overwhelmed. The staff, both paid and volunteer welcomed me with open arms but that didn't prepare me for what I saw. I saw how they give of themselves beyond the imaginable.
I have been placed to work in a residential house with 24 residents who they classify as high functioning. These high functioning adults are of mixed gender and mostly nonverbal. My charge will be to dress them feed them and promote all that they can do on their own. Today I worked with three women who packaged small ceramic doves in boxes which entailed putting stickers on each ceramic piece, opening a box, putting them in and closing the box. Their pride illuminated the room and my heart.
I am truly overwhelmed with emotion and feeling somewhat drained from this first day here.
I was told to take it easy as these feelings will be ones I will have everyday.
I am blessed by being here.
Thank you to my family for allowing me this indulgence of good.