October 2023 .
Current Status.
Neve Hanna was still on vacation when the horrific acts of terrorism unfolded on Shabbat morning, October 7, 2023 in the border region of the Gaza Strip, from which our city, Kiryat Gat is just 20 miles away. About 40 of our 80 children residing at Neve Hanna were brought from their homes a few days later, but we still have children who are with their parents, for example in Ashkelon. The city is particularly frequently bombarded with rockets, so for security reasons we have not yet received the green light to make trips to bring them back to Neve Hanna. Our 40 daycare children cannot come in at all.
All our children, whether they are still with their parents or have returned to Neve Hanna, experienced traumatic days. It is a situation that causes great mental stress. The uncertainty of what will happen next adds to that stress. Some employees also have not returned to work because they live in regions with frequent rocket attacks and have to care for their own children. Our volunteers from abroad returned home. Of our 12 Israeli volunteers serving a social year before the army duty, currently 7 returned to Neve Hanna.
At present, the children live in Neve Hanna in two flats with shelters attached. We try to offer them as much out-door activities as possible, but only in small groups and only in the presence of staff members, further considering that such activities take place within a distance that allows us to reach the shelters in time. The staff is now around the clock with the children. Morning hours are dedicated to studies, and in the afternoons, we offer a lot of play and fun. The evening, they spend together watching films.
Neve Hanna in Mourning.
The leadership of Neve Hanna learned a few days after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israeli civilians, that a former child of Neve Hanna Children´s Home is among the victims. Shimi grew up in Neve Hanna from 2nd grade on. He was 29 years old, when he was murdered together with 260 other young people enjoying a music festival between the kibbutzim Re´em and Be´eri.
Some of our current and former staff members lost family members and friends. The loved ones they mourn are among the murdered civilians and those killed on duty were soldiers or police officers. Our Muslim Bedouin partners, we cooperate with for over 40 years, are also confronted with wounded and dead family members.
Urgent needs – We need your help!
Neve Hanna is a warm and loving home for children from troubled families and experiences severe traumata at a young age. The children´s home is confronted with the need to intensify psychological and therapeutic aid. Furthermore, we must extend assistance to our children attending the daycare centers, but currently cannot come in to Neve Hanna.
At present, the most urgent need is that Neve Hanna has a fence which can easily be climbed. We have at our gate security personal, but that is also only one person at time with a gun license. For the security of children and staff, we need to add armed 24/7 patrolling security personal. This most urgent need mounts up to a monthly expense of $ 3,000 US dollars.
Antje Naujoks, Public Relations and Resource Development
Neve Hanna Children’s Home, Kiryat Gat, Israel
American Friends of Neve Hanna
www.afnevehanna.org
AFNH is a 501C(3) tax exempt organization
www.afnevehanna.charityproud.org/Donate
American Friends of Neve Hanna 