During regular times, the wonderful young people from “Youth on Behalf of Others,” an educational initiative of the Fund for Innovative Education, regularly come to the village at ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran. Youth arriving as part of this group from the Eshkol Regional Council offer company and friendship to people in the midst of rehabilitation following acquired injuries.
In the past, visitors, family members and friends of those undergoing rehabilitation teemed the halls of ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran’s rehabilitation unit, while young volunteers generated vital energy through special activities and a deep desire to impact and make a difference.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to severely cut back on visiting hours and the number of visitors allowed into the village as part of our all-out effort to protect our immunocompromised residents, students and rehabilitation patients and “Youth on Behalf of Others” visits have been put on hold, the youthful volunteers were not willing to give up. Insisting on making their presence and care felt within the village, group members took advantage of the Eshkol Regional Council’s recreational activity program to create artistic works of clay in the form of butterflies to brighten the lives of rehabilitation patients at ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran.
This past week, representatives of the Eshkol Regional Council made their way to the village to hang the beautiful butterflies. The entire rehabilitation department was suddenly emboldened with a new aura of light and hope.
Now, during this present period when social distance regulations restrain us from regular activity, we must rise up and take action for the betterment of those who are continually dependent on our thoughtfulness and charity. The actions of “Youth on Behalf of Others” reflects a deep understanding of the power of good deeds that rests in the hands of our young people. The power to provide hope. “The strength of the social chain is determined by the strength of its weakest link. Our efforts to strengthen that link make us into better people and a better and stronger society.”
We are so proud of our wonderful young people.
