SACHI (Sayeret Chesed Yechudit – Teenage Welfare Club) began at Neve Hanna Children’s Home in Kiryat Gat, thanks to the initiative of a staff member. SACHI later expanded and became a nationwide youth program with the founding branch at Neve Hanna. At the AIPAC Policy Conference in March of 2019, the SACHI Program was featured as a new innovative program at the beginning of one of the plenary sessions.
Teenagers from the age of 13 years on, can join SACHI, operating according to the motto: The best thing in the world is to do good deeds for others. The teenagers of Neve Hanna, who are usually at the receiving side, learn about giving to others.
Teenagers joining, have to commit to social and welfare activities, setting examples of social activism, tolerance, mutual respect, giving and sharing as well as friendship. Through the SACHI activities, the teens from disadvantaged backgrounds, learn more about young leadership qualities.
Currently, 15 Neve Hanna teens are involved in SACHI. The participants meet twice weekly for educational and social purposes, as well as for fun activities intended to strengthen group dynamics. What began with seven teens in Kiryat Gat, now encompasses approximately 400 teenagers in 15 clubs throughout several cities in Israel.
As part of the SACHI program, the participants help supply approximately a dozen needy families in Kiryat Gat, with groceries. They take care of all the logistics and the planning, the purchase, the packing of the parcels with basic food supplies as well as the distribution. Over major holidays, like Rosh HaShana and Passover, they begin a much bigger campaign, encouraging participation of the other children, as well as the staff of Neve Hanna. Through donations and packing for such holidays, they supply about 120 families in need.
SACHI youth also help people with disabilities, the elderly, the downtrodden and Holocaust survivors with shopping, chores and home repairs. They visit hospitals and nursing homes. Neve Hanna Children’s Home is helping make a difference in the lives of others, the surrounding community and changing the world for the better.
American Friends of Neve Hanna 