Dear Donors,
As always, we are extremely grateful and appreciative of your donations to the Star Program which now operates in two municipalities (Ness Tziona & Tel Aviv – Jaffa) with three groups. Through this program, you are helping to change and improve the lives of dozens of students.
Below is a partial summary of some of the activities delivered throughout January-March, 2011:
-163 small group tutorial lessons (in the subjects of English, mathematics and language skills) that contribute to the development of formal learning skills.
-37 Field orienteering workshops (together with our partners) that contribute to the development of personal and social skills, obtaining topographical knowledge of Israel, learning of positive values (outdoor survival skills, navigation skills etc.).
-15 Capoeira lessons that allow participants to learn the fighting/dancing art of Capoeira with implications on daily life, coping with different social situations, development of self-confidence & "I can do it" attitude, self-discipline and control, social interaction taking into account "the other side."
-12 sessions of self-empowerment group activities that contribute to the development of personal and inter-personal skills (group management capabilities, leadership, behavioral boundaries, general knowledge and more.)
-12 sessions of psycho drama workshops that contribute to the development of social and personal skills such as personal ambition, exposure to different professions, exposure to positive role models of inspiration, development of a “can do” attitude and more.
-5 parenting workshops for participants' parents designed to improve parental skills and overcome the generational gap between parents and children.
Other activities included:
-Light drinks and sandwiches were served during Capoeira lessons and the field orienteering workshop activities.
-A second hand desktop computer was given to a student for learning purposes.
-11 students received one-on-one weekly sessions with graduate volunteers for tutorial lessons and mentoring.
-Several overnight field trips to different parts of the country.
Attached you will also find some pictures which we hope will illustrate some of the activities and great results we are achieving thanks to your kind help and attitude of caring.
Links:
April 2011
Dear Donors,
As always, we are extremely grateful and appreciative of your donations to the MAOF Program for gifted students which is now assisting around 17 Israeli youth with great potential to excel. With your assistance, this program is helping to change and improve the lives of talented individuals that will become the future leaders and role models of Ethiopian Jewry in Israel.
We are also proud of our latest program participant whose name is Nogus. Nogus is a 9th grade student from Beit Shemesh and a very talented cyclist. He is now part of the national youth Israeli cycling team and some of his trainers have described him as "having Olympic potential in 6 years."
Below is a partial summary of some of the activities delivered throughout January-March, 2011:
-47 one on one English tutorial sessions
-2 extracurricular scientific workshops at the Weizmann Insitute of Science
-Funding of a scholarship at the private Ulpana Zvia High School in Rehovot
-Dozens of one on one mentoring sessions delivered by talented Ethiopian university students and Ariela professional staff
-Dozens of advisory sessions regarding professional/educational development
-12 piano lessons
-Funding for an advanced mathematics extra curricular program for students at Bar Ilan University
-9 one on one mathematics tutorial sessions
-Funding of a high level soccer school scholarship
-10 one on one physics tutorial sessions
-Funding of a scholarship for one academic course at the University of Tel Aviv for Youth
-Funding of travel (bus) expenses for several students
-Funding of voice development lessons at the Netanya Municipal Musical Conservatory
-Funding of two scholarships for studies at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance School
-5 one on one scientific tutorial sessions
-Funding of a scholarship at the private Bar Ilan Yeshiva High School in Tel Aviv
-Economic assistance for university dormitory rent
-Delivery of one used lap top computer to a university student
-Several university level scholarships
-The provision of several professional volunteers mentors whose objective is to provide career guidance and early exposure to the job market
-Economic assistance for the purchase of artistic equipment/supplies
- Economic assistance for the production of a short film (as part of the final project of a film student)
In addition, below are some examples of the successes these students are achieving:
-Yael, an accounting student, was accepted for an apprenticeship at one of the most lucrative accounting firms in Israel, Deloitte-Touche.
-Nofar, an 8th grade student, received an excellence award in the first half of the current school year as a result of a grade point average of 94.5.
-Yair, an 8th grade student, has shown good progress in the Bar Ilan University Mathematics Program for Talented Youth. It seems that hisself-confidence has improved; he has displayed high motivation and investment levels.
-Shelly, 9th grade student, has reached during the first half of the current school year a grade point average of 95.
-Revital, a high school Soprano singer, has participated, as part of her school's activity, in three recitals during the last quarter including an appearance in Germany as part of a youth choir and has also participated in a show of the opera workshop held by the classical music class in the Telma Yellin High School.
-Alamork, an up and coming film student, has been busy producing her final graduation project movie as part of her studies at the Sam Spiegel School of Film. Ariela is helping her in matters such as finding a location for shooting as well as arranging a donation of two Plasma screens needed for the shootings.
Attached you will also find some pictures of MAOF participants whose lives you are helping to change with your kind donations.
Links:
Please find below a list of activities delivered throughout October - December 2010 within the framework of our Star Program.
Star Program Group # 1 – Ness Tziona:
3/10
Parents – students introductory meeting for 2010-2011 school year
19/10, 26/10, 2/11, 9/11, 16/11, 23/11, 30/11, 14/12, 28/12
Weekly field orienteering group workshop in conjunction with the Acharai Organization
28-29/10
Overnight field trip to the Ein Bokek region in Southern Israel
8-9/12
Two day fieldtrip to the Negev Desert
2/11, 9/11, 16/11, 23/11, 30/11, 5/12, 14/12, 21/12, 28/12
Capoeira Lessons (at a local Capoeira school)
8/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group mathematics lessons for 10th graders
8/11, 15/11, 22/118/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group English lessons for 9th graders
8/11, 15/11, 22/118/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group English lessons for 10th graders
Additional activities – Star Program Group # 1 – Ness Tziona:
-A supplementary food/nutritional program has been implemented as part of the field orienteering and Capoeira workshops
-One on one meetings with a Community Coordinator have been held with all participants as well as home visits with parents (to provide general & educational counselling/guidance, to develop an intimate relationship based on trust, to increase levels of cooperation and more)
-Weekly meetings (two hours per week) between four program participants and volunteers that provide tutoring in areas such as mathematics and personal mentoring/coaching
Star Program Group # 2 – Ness Tziona:
5/10, 19/10, 27/10, 3/11, 17/11, 24/11, 1/12, 22/12, 29/12
Field orienteering workshop in conjunction with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel
4/11
Field trip to Jerusalem (Wailing Wall, City of David) and participation in the official Sigad Holiday Ceremony
6-7/12
Overnight field trip to the Ein Avdat Canyon as part of weekly field orienteering workshop
10/11, 21/11, 28/11, 12/12, 19/12, 26/12
Self-empowerment activities (delivered by Ariela Community Coordinator)
8/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group English lessons for 7th graders
13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group English lessons for 8th graders (group A)
13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group English lessons for 8th graders (group B)
8/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group mathematics lessons for 7th graders
13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group Mathematics lessons for 8th graders (group A)
13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group Mathematics lessons for 8th graders (group B)
Additional activities – Star Program Group # 2 – Ness Tziona:
-One on one meetings with a Community Coordinator have been held with all participants as well as home visits with parents (to provide general & educational counselling/guidance, to develop an intimate relationship based on trust, to increase levels of cooperation and more)
-Weekly tutoring encounters (one hour each) between one participant and a volunteer
Star Program Group # 3 – Tel Aviv-Jaffa:
11/10
Meeting with parents
12/10
Introductory meeting with program participants and Ariela staff
17/10, 24/10, 31/10, 7/11, 14/11, 21/11, 28/11, 9/12, 12/12, 19/12, 26/12
Self-empowerment activities through a psycho drama workshop delivered by a professional moderator
4/11, 11/11, 18/11, 25/11, 2/12, 16/12, 23/12, 30/12
Field orienteering workshop in conjunction with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel
6-7/12
Overnight field trip to the Ein Avdat Canyon as part of weekly field orienteering workshop
20/10, 27/10, 3/11, 8/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 6/12, 13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group English lessons for 7th graders
31/10, 7/11, 14/11, 21/11, 28/11, 12/12, 19/12, 26/12
Small group English lessons for 8th graders
3/11, 8/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 6/12, 13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group language skills lessons for 7th graders
3/11, 8/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 6/12, 13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group language skills lessons for 8th graders
31/10, 7/11, 14/11, 21/11, 28/11, 12/12, 19/12, 26/12
Small group mathematics lessons for 7th graders
3/11, 8/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 6/12, 13/12, 20/12, 27/12
Small group mathematics lessons for 8th graders
Feedback/results from activities:
1) The counsellors of our partner organizations that deliver field orienteering workshops have informed us that our groups excel when compared to other groups they work with in terms of team work, mutual assistance, seriousness, maturity levels, responsibility and the high levels of interest they express towards the activities. We have also been told that our participants deal more effectively (than other groups) with the physical challenges involved in the field trips.
2) The educational counsellors from the schools we work with have reported significant positive changes in terms of behavioral patterns, self-discipline and the way Star Program participants approach their studies.
3) Grade point averages for many of the participants have improved significantly. In the written trimester report cards issued by one of the schools, it was noted that “due to Ariela’s assistance” learning achievements have improved considerably.
4) School staff has reported that some of the participants display “a glow of shining happiness” since commencing Ariela activities and constantly talk about how much the activities contribute to their learning/growing process.
5) One of the English teachers has reported that the levels of self-confidence of some of the program participants have improved dramatically, as well participants’ studying patterns which have become much more systematic and effective.
6) The social skills of several of the participants have improved dramatically. One of the participants who was quite introverted in terms of his social interaction has now become a team player and developed a large network of social connections as his self-confidence continues to grow.
7) Professional staff that delivers activities to Star Program participants has reported that students can now articulate ideas more clearly in group meetings and oral language skills have improved considerably. More bashful participants that would not have spoken out within the group are now confident enough to express themselves freely in public.
8) Parents of some of the participants have improved behavioral patterns of parental responsibility and involvement. For example, many of the parents now inform us ahead of time if their child cannot make it to the activities, as opposed to not letting us know at all. Parents now understand the importance of organizing family schedules in accordance to their children’s educational needs.
Links:
