Si3 by UJIA
Having spent most of the past three years running to shelters, this Yom Ha’atzmaut we can make sure that there is a brighter future for Israel’s children. That evacuation doesn’t mean loss of direction.
UJIA has been working non-stop since 7th October to ensure that help gets to those who need it most. In the three ‘postcards from the future’, you will meet three courageous young Israelis David, Aisha and Dana whose lives are now back on track, putting the horrific impact of 7th October in the past. Please help us to ensure a bright future is available to every Israeli child who needs it.
חג העצמאות שמח
Happy Independence Day
David | 16 | Kiryat Bialik
Living and studying at secondary school under heavy rocket fire took its toll on me. I didn’t want to see my friends, my marks kept decreasing, and I couldn’t bring myself to talk about any of this to my parents or teachers.
UJIA helped to get me emergency trauma therapy with Enosh, the Israeli Mental Health Association. After three-months of therapy, I have smiled again for the first time, I can talk to my parents, friends and teachers again, and I know that I have control over my life.
Aisha | 14 | Kiryat Shemona
I was evacuated for over a year. My whole family shared a small room, and I started walking the streets at night. My parents were working and looking after my sister, and didn’t know where I was. I found a group, but they got me into behaviours that I am not proud of, and I didn’t know how to quit.
When I finally got home, the team from UJIA’s partners ELEM, who help kids in distress, found me. They came to me with warmth and compassion, and with their help I could finally get over what happened.
Dana | 18 | Southern Israel
After my parents’ divorce as the war began I went off the rails: I was expelled from several schools, and I even became violent. Finally a judge sent me to live at Nirim Youth Village, which gets teens in trouble back on track.
Together with UJIA, Nirim’s wilderness therapy taught us survival skills. It built my resilience and it taught me respect. Being detached from the influences that took me to darker places, Nirim turned me into a good citizen. Thanks to my time at Nirim I was even able to achieve a full high school matriculation and start my life properly.
