The current situation

With the sacred mission that we took upon ourselves, we constantly face such waves of human suffering that is almost impossible to describe, while we try as much as we can to alleviate the distress of those who turn to us for help.

Sometimes, the suffering is not the outcome of an illness, but from caring daily for a sick child, a child living in his own closed, almost impenetrable, world. But for the parents this is an enormous challenge, demanding investment of great efforts. Sometimes, for the onlooker, these efforts don't always seem justified, but a professional eye notices the changes, their great contribution, and the greater lack if not for the effort.

The parents of these children almost collapse under the heavy load, which is not just a physical one; it demands of them dedication and a lot of emotional and mental stamina, in caring for a special child - their own. In order for them to withstand the great challenge and fulfill their task, they must take breaks to recharge, before resuming the strenuous routine. This formidable routine involves a large part of the day being dedicated to caring for the child. Some of these syndromes demand constant supervision, to prevent the child from harming himself or his surroundings. This might include running away from home, breaking things, jumping from heights, "tastin?" dangerous substances, etc.

These children are unaware of the danger involved in acts that a healthy child would avoid unthinkingly, thanks to his natural instincts. Therefore, whenever the child is around, his parents must lock up anything that might endanger him, while still leaving him enough essential space, to avoid the feeling being restricted in his movements, a feeling that these children cannot tolerate.

Needless to say, how difficult it is to care for such a child who has healthy siblings. His life, his parents' lives and those of the other children at home, become almost unbearable. Not only the daily routine of such a family is different; they are unable to attend family simchos )celebrations( on Shabbos, since there aren't many volunteers who are willing to host them. All kinds of different excuses are given for this refusal, but they know the truth; they live with it constantly, day by day.

Even with "easier" children, whose disabilities are only physical, the family is obliged to be constantly available for the child: Helping him with his mobility, keeping him occupied, dressing him and caring for his personal hygiene. This is a commitment to give a lot of attention that was supposed to be divided among all of the children at home.

In order to enable the parents to take these vitally important breathing spells, and wanting to give them a hand and ease their difficult challenges, three years ago we established a special program that gives the parents some time off. On weekends and holidays, we take these children to our "home", in a special department that was adapted specifically to their needs. There, under the watchful eyes of professionals, they are treated warmly and given the necessary care that they need. Then, they are sent ba?k to their parents, for another week of coping, a week that might be easier, thanks to their having stayed at the Ezra Lemarpeh special club over the weekend.

The club was opened In response to the parents' cry for help, and after the initial decision, a professional staff was formed, along with the volunteers who are wholeheartedly dedicated to care for these precious souls.

At this stage, the club hosts 60 children, ages 3 - 15. Most of them have different syndromes at varying levels of severity, such as Down's, hyperactivity, autism, C.P., complex hearing problems, etc.

A picture of the current situation:

At present, the club is located on the basement floor, occupying a space of 300 square meters that was originally intended for parking. Using contributions of friends and supporters, we changed its designation and made it into a club.

This space includes:

A kitchenette

3 Activity halls, including one with a padded floor (to prevent injuries caused by  falls).

An office

2 W.C.'s

A shower

A multi-purpose lobby

The club yard includes:

A "petting corner" (with rabbits, pigeons, chicks, etc.)

Playground facilities

A sand-box

Shaded areas with padded floor

Shaded area with giant trampoline.

At present, the children come only during the daytime, since we are unable to make sleeping arrangements for them, except for a few times when we put down mattresses on the floor, for a small number of children.

The conditions make it very difficult for the counsellors, and the space is too small for the number of children. (It should be mentioned that more than 100 counsellors are in charge of 60 children, to ensure responsible control over the children, some  of whom have severe behavioral disturbances.)

During the year, the club is open on Fridays & Shabbos, Yomtov eve and Yomtov, including all those days when the children don't have school (Channuka, Chol Hamo'ed [the intermediate days of] Pesach and Succos, Independence Day, Election days, etc.). During vacation time, the club is open as a dormitory, with numerous outdoor activities. This enables us to accept more children, with the outdoor activities being done in shifts. During this time, we can take in children from the entire Dan & Sharon regions, something that is impossible to do during Shabbos, since we cannot return the children home in the middle of Shabbos.

The club program includes activating the children within a pre-planend framework, including a play-room, outdoor facilities, movies, a small yard pool, nourishing cooked meals, sweets, surprises, trips, etc. Everything is done under the direction of dedicated volunteers, who do whatever is humanly possible to make this project a success.

During vacation time, in addition to this wide range of activities, we also have artists' shows and performances, fun flights, visits to various recreational sites that are suitable to these children, and much more.

The general public has heard of this club, and we get numerous requests to have more children accepted; regrettably, we must reject many such requests, in order to ensure to safety of the children who are staying in the club under the present conditions.

A vision of the future

In order to enable more children to join and benefit from the club, and to give the children the best, we wish to construct a special building, especially adapted to these children's needs. Here, we will be able to host children, including nights, for short periods of time when the family life demands it (such as during times of family celebrations, when one of the parents is not well, or just when a family wishes to go away for a few days).

The building will be constructed, God willing, on a lot adjacent to our organization center. It will contain two upper floors, a basement floor and a usable roof.

Each floor will take up some 600 sq.m.

Altogether, a total of 1,200 sq.m.

The basement floor

some 800 sq.m.

The roof

some 600 sq.m.

The entire building will be constructed using a special method that ensures protection of all appliances )protected lighting fixtures; high electric sockets and switches; double, high windows; locked exits; adapted elevators, etc( in order to prevent any injuries and damage caused by the children. Everything will meet the  fire extinguishing  regulations, to ensure safe evacuation in case of an emergency.

In addition, the building will be equipped with a closed-circuit t.v. system, to ensure optimal safety of the children, with constant supervision wherever they are, as well as a public address and music system.

Special emphasis will be put on large, open spaces, as much as possible. These spaces are necessary both for the children's physical safety, as well as their emotional well-being.

W.C. and shower rooms will be accessible next to each of the facilities and activity rooms, as well as in the courtyard, to ensure maximal hygiene, a project unto itself when caring for these children.

The building designation:

First Floor:

Second Floor:

Entrance lobby, including secretary's desk for receiving and registering the children (including club office)

Kitchen to prepare meals, including storage refrigerators.

Device for parking wheelchairs and strollers (or in an outdoor shed)

25 bedrooms for three children and a counsellor per room, including toilet and shower

Hall with built-in audio-visual equipment for screening films, artists' performances, sing-alongs, etc.

Laundry, cleaning & maintenance equipment room

Activity hall, with desks for painting, arts and crafts, social games and group activities.

Room for didactic equipment, toys and light physiotherapy

Multi-purpose dining hall, also serving as a "protected space" (in case of war), including pc's to occupy the children.

Physical activity room, with special devices for the handicapped

Indoor game room for times when the weather prevents the children from going outside. This will serve also as a music room, with proper acoustic insulation.

Nappy changing and general cleaning room

Isolated and protected elevators and staircase.

Staff room, including small dining room

4 adapted w.c. rooms, staff w.c. rooms and quick showers (First Aid).

isolated and protected elevators and staircase.

Roof:

Basement Floor:

Safety rails - horizontal and upright.

Parking lot for direct access to ambulances & special cars that bring handicapped children.

Shaded areas

Hydrotherapeutic pool with facilities

Soft floor

Annexed rooms, including showers and toilets

Various garden facilities, suitable to special education standard

Electricity command room, and water heating

Benches

Toddler pool

Lighting and permanent ventilation devices

Isolated and protected elevators and staircase

Isolated and protected elevators and staircase.

Storage rooms

Estimated costs

Estimated cost of construction:

$

2,250,000

Cost of internal equipment:

$

250,000

Cost of constructing hydrotherapeutic pool:

Must be calculated separately.

It's obviously needless to point out the importance of such a project and its contribution to the parents of these unfortunate children, and naturally to the children themselves. We hope to find with you an attentive ear, in your helping to make this special dream come true.

We feel certain that if you come and see with your own eyes this great wonder that is happening at our center, you, too, will wish to have a share in this unique mitzvah. Your assistance will make a direct contribution, that will manifest itself with another happy smile on the faces of these special children.