CHW News
February 2010
CHW Lapid Report by Marcy Segall (CHW Montreal)
I was very honored to be chosen as one of the Canadian representatives to the Lapid Seminar in January. It was a very exciting and emotional week for me, seeing the projects that CHW helps fund. Intellectually, I knew that we were contributing to help build a better Israel by helping the children and women of underprivileged backgrounds, but I was lucky to be able to now actually see it. I can attest that nothing replaces actually being there, as opposed to hearing someone tell you about the work we do.
Our first visit was to the Rose Dunkelman Daycare Centre, which is located in a very poor, rundown neighbourhood. The daycare has approximately 80 children. Many are subsidized, as the parents cannot afford the tuition. Most of the children come from disadvantaged family backgrounds. Consequently, enhanced, enriching programs have been instituted in their daily play and learning activities.
During our visit, we saw toddlers and children up to five years of age. They were clean, happy and well-fed. We saw the staff amusing the children, leading them in songs and watching them at play. The teachers exuded energy and devotion. We were also shown where our fundraising dollars had gone: renovations in the bathrooms, tiles over the sand in the outside play area, as well as new and safe equipment for the children to climb on.
The nursery and the classrooms were bright and cheery, with pictures on the walls. Quite a contrast to the outside world they were coming from! They had a beautiful and modern daycare centre to play in and were not aware of the tenements surrounding them. Click here to read more!
