The Israeli school year began at the beginning of September when 2.5 million children returned to classrooms as they do every year on this date despite the fact that until the last moment it was not clear whether or not the school year would actually open in the scheduled date, due to strikes in the Teachers’ Union due to disagreements with the Ministries of Finance and Education.
For weeks, the teachers have been demanding an increase in their salary and have been negotiating with the Ministry of Finance, with whom they finally reached an agreement. They also complained about the low number of teachers in the classrooms.
But, due to a last-minute deal, which provides for a 30% salary increase, among other changes, schools across the country opened to welcome the new school year.
However, it is not only the teachers who suffer the consequences of the increase in the cost of living in the country, since thousands of families, especially in the border region with Gaza, were very concerned due to the great expenses caused by the start of classes.
Some 600,000 school students are in a situation of poverty
Many children in Israel started the school year without the most basic things, like school supplies and even food, and the economic and social gaps are only widening.
According to a report by the NGO “Latet” published on the YNET site, some 596,150 poor students started the school year in the education system this month.
“Education is an important key to reducing social and economic disparities, and can be a turning point to improve the well-being of children and prevent the intergenerational transmission of poverty,” explains the director of Latet.
“However, many times the educational system in Israel widens the gaps. This is how inequality in education translates into inequality in employment and gaps that are getting bigger and bigger. Families living in poverty are forced to make painful compromises, including in their children’s education. .”
In addition, a survey carried out by Latet, shows a worrying panorama: 72.4% of those surveyed testified that their children lack basic equipment for school, 74.9% estimate that they will not be able to face the payments that are required by the school in the next academic year, and 57.2% of those supported avoided enrolling one or more of their children from 0 to 3 years old. in an educational setting because they couldn’t afford it.
Our response to the need
Our City Of Life Outreach Center team is very aware of the difficulties faced by so many families in Sderot and the border area to the Gaza Strip and is always very attentive to the needs they may have and thinking of effective ways to help them.
With the intention of alleviating part of the expenses caused by the start of classes, in our “Back to School” project we have organized a large distribution for the most disadvantaged children in our city of one of the most difficult items for parents to afford, backpacks, which must be of good quality and made of resistant material to support the transport of books. and school supplies throughout the year and avoid causing damage to children’s backs.
More than 200 children enthusiastically received their new backpacks, with much expectation and excitement for the return to school, and we were able to share with them the overflowing joy shown by them.
Also happy were the parents who did not have words to express their gratitude and know that they can count on us and our selfless help.
For those families who, due to different circumstances, could not attend our distribution in our center, our team was kind enough to distribute backpacks in their homes, thus preventing any needy child from being left without receiving their backpack.
Even before the pandemic, the children of Sderot remained the most vulnerable due to the difficult conflict and terrorist threats they face on a daily basis, and according to studies, an estimated seventy percent of children in Sderot suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Our team is in the process of evaluating what the most basic needs of these students are in order to help them in the most appropriate way.
You too can bless them and be part of this commitment of obedience to the Lord together with us by joining in our goal as there are still many families to reach with the help and together we can achieve it.
Our role as the body of the Messiah is to bring hope to this lost world and illuminate in times of darkness creating an impact on society, so our ministry is committed to reaching as many people as possible who suffer, and many of them depend on our commitment and dedication for the work of the Lord.
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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