By Emmanuel Elder | Chairman of the Keshatot Children's Fund
The Fund for Keshatot Children [reg. no. 580540532, recognized charity, clause 46, Israel Income Tax Authority] was established in 2011 by parents of autistic children who studied at the Keshatot Center in order to assist autistic children in their schools.The fund seeks contributions for complementary para-medical treatments [which are not among the therapies and treatments provided by the Ministry of Education], therapeutic and technological equipment and infrastructure improvement. The fund also organizes enrichment and recreational activities provided by local volunteers. Because the Fund for Keshatot Children is run solely by volunteers, all monies raised go directly towards these activities.
The Keshatot ("Rainbows" in hebrew) Center is a multi-regional magnet school serving 89 children age 3 – 13 on the autism spectrum in 2 kindergartens and 11 elementary school classes. These children graduate after the 6th grade and continue in Harim or Bareket high schools.
The Harim ("Mountains" in hebrew) high school, is a multi regional school in Givaat Ada, serving 60 adolescents age 13-21 on the autism spectrum.
The Fund is currently raising donations for this school year's therapy sessions at the Harim high school, including animal therapy and and a more active "kung Fu" theraphy, both therapies are $2000 a month. The therapis are provided to all the pupils, enabling them to exersize and enjoy activities outside the classroom. It is important to state that for many of the high school's puplis, the therapies they receive in school, are their only therapies. So by every hour added to each pupil is an amazing gain and advancement.
We are also raising funds for a Snoezelen (Multi-Sensory) therapy room at the Harim high school and lots of activities and outings.
As the summer kicked off, most of the regular therapists are on summer vacation and the Fund really steps in to provide both activities and therapies during the 1 1/2 months until the kids' summer vacation starts (special education schools have their summer vacation from Augist 15th to September 1st). The fund continues to provide the therapies we support (Kung-fu, dance, gardening, etc) and also provide each of our schools with 1 pool day per week, including the transport for all the kids and staff (1 staff person per 1 child for the pool) and many more activities.
During the last week of June, we hosted the very talented young musicians from musethica isreal (www.musethica-israel.org) which were on a musical seminar and came to play both at Keshatot elemntry school and at Harim highschool. It is truely amazing, how music can bring a smile and happines to all children. Our amazing kids sat down for almost an hour and listned and enjoyed amazing classical music live.
We are looking forward for all the amazing summer activities we have planned.
Please join us and support or amazing youngesters and provide them with the best summer possible.
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