Story and photo by Galia Peled
The official opening of the Students Build a Community Project in Hefzibah took place during the first week of November 2015 at the local Community Center.
Almost all the parents of the 48 children participating in the project attended, as well as representatives of the schools and the community centers, the students and ESRA volunteers.
In a warm family atmosphere we presented the program for the year and introduced the team to the parents and students. We watched a video summarizing the previous year to give both parents and children a taste of what awaits them this year. Then, amongst much excitement, the students all introduced themselves and called out the names of 'their' children. There followed a rush of students being surrounded by the children and families, with exchanges of phone numbers, names and addresses.
As this program has been running for several years already, the parents and children know that they're in for a special year with the students.
Wishing all of us a good and fruitful year, a year of progress, growth and significant community involvement.
Galia Peled is the coordinator of Students Build a Community, Hefzibah