Mentors Provide Crucial Support to Displaced Children in Southern Israel
A unique mentorship program is offering vital emotional support to approximately 25 children and teenagers, aged 5 to 17, in the Eshkol region of southern Israel, who have been displaced and traumatized since the October 7th attacks. The "Beit Le'chol Yelad" organization, in collaboration with the Eshkol Regional Council's social services, has been running the program for eight months, pairing mentors with children who have experienced prolonged evacuations, disrupted lives, and parental trauma.
The program's core principle is "being there to be," emphasizing consistent, patient presence over immediate problem-solving. Mentors, like Avi Vaknin, who uses music and sports, initially face children withdrawn and depressed. Vaknin describes one child who remained in bed for days, only beginning to engage after three consistent visits where the mentor simply stated, "I'm here. I'm not leaving." This approach aims to build trust with children who have experienced abandonment or instability.
Mentors are not necessarily therapists but are chosen for their personal skills, such as music, theater, or education, which can serve as bridges to the children. They engage in activities ranging from playing sports and music to simply sitting with the child, adapting to their needs. The program's success is evident in the emotional and behavioral changes observed in the children within months, fostering stable relationships with a significant adult figure.
The initiative has expanded its reach, with mentors sometimes building connections with the entire family, offering support to parents and grandparents. In one instance, a mentor's knowledge of a child's routine helped locate her when she went missing. Another mentor, Zina Alexander, initiated cooking sessions with children lacking warm meals at home, which led to a mother learning to cook and providing nutritious food for her family.
The program has generated a waiting list, prompting social services to consider expanding the model. Eshkol Regional Council's social services director, Shulamit Wallerstein, stated the need for flexible interventions that reach children in their natural environments and build trust. The mentors themselves find the work fulfilling, despite the personal challenges of living through the ongoing security situation, finding purpose in connecting with the children and becoming a stable presence in their lives.
