Child sponsorship update from Arad, Israel

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Arad (Neradim), Israel from Winter 2008

Neradim Children's Village was opened in the summer of 1981. The village currently serves 133 children. The village is situated in the city of Arad, It is spread out over 25 Dunam, consisting of 6 two family houses surrounded by trees and grass. There are 11 children's houses where 8 - 9 children of various ages live with their "mother". Two other houses serve as youth facility for up to 15 adolescents and 2 counselors and a third youth facility such as this, exists off campus. In another house, we have the emergency shelter ready to accept within a matter of hours a child in need of our facility due to sever abuse, abandonment or other emergency situations. The day care center for children and parents which is located in the village was created to answer the needs of families from the surrounding neighborhoods.

The year 2008 was blessed with various activities throughout the year. The children in the village celebrated each of our religious and national holidays with appropriate parties and celebrations.

ARBOR DAY - The Jewish new year for the trees - January
This year, we emphasized the environment when celebrating this day. The opening ceremony was held in our village's yard. Our children traditionally prepared small seedling plants, and the whole village planted small trees and flowers all around the village grounds.

Children's events in Israel

PURIM - March
During Purim week it is customary for children to dress up in various costumes. This year the theme for dressing up in the village was cartoon characters.

PASSOVER - The Jewish holiday of spring & freedom - April
As in every year in Passover, we held our annual survival hike. This time it took place near the Dead sea and the ancient fortress of Messada & was only for one day due to the extreme heat. The hike ended with a traditional SEDER ceremony and a festive dinner that was beautifully organized by the village staff with long tables and white tablecloths, we even had wild flowers on the tables.

INDEPENDENCE DAY - Mid MAY
We celebrated Independence Day in our nearby Lahav Forest, with the traditional Bar-B-Q, sports activities, dancing and singing through the night.

LAG BAOMER - End of May
We celebrated this day in the traditional Jewish way - by sitting around a bonfire, roasting marshmallows, eating burnt potatoes from the fire, singing and telling stories.

SHAVUOT - The Jewish harvest festival - June
This Cheese Cake day was celebrated in our village - in the court yard - with our own local version of American Idol, after a traditional delicious dairy dinner topped off by the mother's wonderful cheese cakes.

SOS DAY - Beginning of July
We celebrated this day with a special tribute to our graduates - 7 young men and women graduated from our village all of whom will be continuing on to compulsory army service or volunteering in national community service. A lovely dinner was served, cooked by the mothers from products received as a donation from nearby hotels.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES - During the summer school holiday in July & August
The activities this year included night dessert hikes, a 5 day trip to the Sea of Galilee where we said goodbye to our 12 post high school volunteers, and visits to the local swimming pools.