Yitzhak Wasserlaug, Minister of the Negev, Galil and National Resilience, made a special visit to ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran Thursday morning, January 12, touring the recently opened Rehabilitative Medical Center, the first of its kind in the Negev region and the special education kindergarten for children requiring fulltime care. Mr. Wasserlauf also met with participants in the village’s Gardeners without Borders rehabilitation program, the unique rehabilitative initiative that helps people with disabilities find their way back into society through rehabilitative agricultural employment.
An especially moving moment occurred when Gardeners with Borders participants Shimon Parenti and Yosef Moreno met the Minister and recounted their fascinating life stories, including the special strength working at the village afforded them and how they were able to recapture their self-respect and ambition thanks to the gardening program.
Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf, “It was very moving for me to see the important activity and work of the dedicated village employees who give their all for the most complex and sensitive population of Israeli society. I look forward to cooperative work. We will increase the activity here and make sure it expands to include the entire periphery.”
Avi Wortzman, CEO of ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran, “I am happy to see that the Minister in charge of Development of the Negev and the Galil chose to visit ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran during his first days as minister and meet people with complex disabilities who through no fault of theirs are pushed aside to the periphery of Israeli society. I was pleased to see have moved Minister Wasserlauf was when meeting with the children and the commitment he expressed towards the advancement of people and employees with disabilities and towards the patients hospitalized in the rehabilitative medical center. I am certain that this visit was only the beginning for ongoing and successful cooperation between the Ministry of the Negev and Galil and National Resilience for the inclusion of people with disabilities, the vulnerable and the wounded as part of Israeli society.”
Upon conclusion of the visit, Minister Wasserlauf wrote in the village guest book, “I was very moved to visit the village and see the important and impressive activity taking place here. I met people and heard personal stories that strengthened my faith. It will be my pleasure to help and assist in expanding the activity and implementing future programs for the advancement of the village.”
