War is one of the worst experiences a human being can go through, especially for children. Children who have witnessed or suffered the violence of war carry the scars of trauma in their minds and bodies, which can mark them forever.
Psychologists have shown that children involved in war often experience symptoms of trauma and distress, such as nightmares, concentration problems, extreme fear, or heightened anxiety. Repeated exposure to war during their development can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and severe personality changes. These disorders can be associated with negative behaviors towards their own families, expressing anger and hostility towards others, addiction, and self-harm.
Children living in our region, in the city of Sderot, near the Gaza border, also endure the trauma of constant rocket attacks. According to a recent study, 40% of children in Sderot suffer from symptoms of anxiety, fear, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, another study published in January found that at least 75% of children between the ages of 4 and 18 in Sderot experience post-traumatic stress, including sleep disorders and severe anxiety.
These children live under a constant threat that affects their physical and mental health. Many of them have trouble sleeping, feel nervous, isolate themselves, or become aggressive. Some have developed phobias or lost interest in activities they once enjoyed. Others have had to leave their homes or schools out of fear of rockets.
In the face of this devastating situation, what can we do to help the children of Sderot? How can we alleviate their suffering and restore their hope? One possible answer is music.
Music is an art form that can reach the hearts and souls of people, especially children who have experienced traumatic events like war. It has been proven that studying music and learning to play an instrument can have therapeutic benefits for these children, who often face difficult emotions, low self-esteem, isolation, and lack of confidence.
Music can also be a tool to help these children overcome trauma and regain joy. In Sderot, one of the initiatives that uses music as a form of therapy, education, and resilience is our local music school, “Music of Shalom.” They offer music workshops for children and youth in the city, with the aim of creating a space where they can express themselves, have fun, and develop their artistic potential.
Through music, children find a psychological refuge to deal with their situation and learn to express themselves while coping with stressful and pressure-filled situations.
The parents of the children who attend the music school are truly grateful and testify to how their children’s lives have started to change since they became interested in music and learning to play instruments. This gives them a new purpose and helps them channel their feelings.
As a result of limited funding, our local music school, “Music of Shalom,” is facing precarious conditions. Therefore, our ministry and Outreach Center, “City of Life,” feel compelled to provide support and assistance by equipping them with the necessary resources to offer an enhanced service to the children in our city. Our aim is to bring them relief and a respite from their ongoing suffering.
We strongly believe that establishing a space where traumatized children can learn to express their deepest anguish through music is of utmost importance for their future. It will provide them with a renewed sense of purpose and a means to escape the current chaotic circumstances they endure.
Recognizing the pressing need for specific musical instruments at the music school and after being able to provide them with a new saxophone among other instruments and equipment in the past, our ministry “City of Life,” has identified the urgent requirement for a new piano that will be used in one of the classrooms and this instrument will greatly assist the numerous children who have expressed interest in studying it but have been placed on a waiting list due to its unavailability. Consequently, our team is planning to acquire a high-quality piano with all the necessary features to donate to the local music school so this will offer the suffering children of Sderot the opportunity to finally express their emotions and enjoy the benefits of learning to play one of their favorite instruments.
The majority of students attending this school come from disadvantaged families in Sderot who are grappling with post-traumatic syndrome. Through the power of music and the supportive environment created within the school, these children can overcome their fears and anxieties, ultimately improving their quality of life.
You too have the opportunity to bless and participate in this commitment to serve the Lord by joining us in our goal. Join us in raising the additional US$2,600 that we need to reach the total cost of US$4000 in order to purchase the new piano, which will be a blessing to so many children in the region.
You can be part of and impact the lives of more people who need help in our city and together show them the way, the truth and the life.
We invite you to be part of our ministry so that together we can bring hope to our border town of Sderot.
Our work would not be possible without the help of partners like you, so we ask you to consider in prayer the possibility of a monthly commitment that will allow us to continue with the Lord’s work here in Israel.
Sincerely yours
Pastors
Michael & Dina Beener
and CLM Israel Team
“City of Life”
Messianic congregation and Outreach Center
Sderot, Israel.
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