Almost a week has passed since I last got in touch to let you know that we at Neve Hanna are basically okay, although we are very much feeling the tension, the uncertainty, and by now also the fatigue.
Compared to other regions of the country, things are relatively calm in Kiryat Gat. Nevertheless, the regulations of the Home Front Command also apply to our children’s home: gatherings of no more than 50 people, and only if adequate shelters are within reach, and above all no regular school classes. The children are supposed to study via Zoom, which is difficult for most of them, but for our children it is an enormous challenge that causes a lot of frustration. The staff are doing their best to support them; we owe that to our children. Yet the fact alone that we now have to care for them around the clock contributes greatly to all staff members being extremely tired and exhausted.
As I already informed you, the Purim party had to be canceled. Nevertheless, the children dressed up and the individual groups celebrated among themselves, even though it was nothing like the celebration the whole of Neve Hanna usually holds. In the meantime, we are trying—with a great deal of creativity—to provide distraction from the situation, while also giving the children opportunities to be physically active and release excess energy, but at the same time to do relaxation exercises together with us. Israel has a great deal of experience with various therapeutic approaches designed to relieve tension and prevent trauma in emergency situations. This also works for our children; however, from experience, we know that, because of their backgrounds, they find it much harder to cope with such exceptional situations. Therefore, we already know that a great deal of work awaits us afterward—from catching up on school material to additional therapeutic measures.
With warmest regards,
Antje C. Naujoks
Public Relations and Resource Development
© Antje C. Naujoks, Neve Hanna Children’s Home
American Friends of Neve Hanna 