Peruvian Families in Gush Eztion

    Background

    Between, 8-15 May 2003, forty Peruvian families (about eighty people) left their small villages outside Lima to begin their new lives in Gush Etzion, Israel. In December 2002 these families had converted to Orthodox Judaism under the auspices of a special Bet Din, set up by the Chief Rabbinate in Israel, under the auspices of the former Chief Rabbi of Uruguay, Rabbi Eliahu Birnbaum. Prior to their formal conversion, all the families had been living halachically Jewish lives for a long period of time.


    Facts & Figures

    Today, there are 250 people of Peruvian origin living in the Alon Shvut, Karmei Tzur and Nokdim communities in Gush Etzion. Of these, approximately 170 are children, ranging from infancy to young adults (before compulsory conscription into the army) including: approximately 80 of school age (6-17 years old) half of whom are known to be categorized as 'at-risk' and in need of practical, social, emotional and behavioral support and intervention.

    The Regional Council of Gush Etzion Social Welfare Department, the Ministry of Welfare and Yad Rachel (an organization which run therapeutic and educational centers for disadvantaged children throughout Israel) are providing for these families immediate and most basic of needs. While grateful for their contributions, the financial assistance these families receive is inadequate and even these grants are under threat and subject to continuous review.


    The Problem

    The Peruvian community has had a difficult time absorbing into life in Israel. They have had to adjust to a new life and have struggled to embrace their new religion and culture; their new language; the new ways of learning and the need to acquire basic skills required in the work-place - a must if they are to win their battle to become self-sufficient, contributing members of the communities to which they now belong who have welcomed them with open-arms. The majority of adults are paid minimum wage. The men work mostly in maintenance, as gardeners or as manual labourers in the building trade whilst the women are domestic cleaners or work as assistants in pre-school nurseries. Parents frustrated by their struggle for survival are often too weary and physically and emotionally exhausted to support their children in the family home. In most cases the children's rate of development exceeds their parents exposing a dangerous gulf and vulnerability between the generations.

    For one Peruvian family to successfully integrate into Israeli society they will need additional support for:

    • Language laboratories and private tuition

    • Job and skills training

    • Mainstreaming into schooling

    • Advice and guidance regarding the country's social welfare system


    The Solution

    Working in close partnership with external agencies, the Gush Etzion Department of Social Welfare runs an after-school club (Mo'adon), which is currently full to capacity servicing the needs of 25 children who are considered to be most acutely at-risk. There is a growing waiting list for this facility which offers a haven of stability and tranquility to these most vulnerable of children.

    The Mo'adon is run by a Manager, assisted by two Sherut Leumi (National Service) girls and volunteers. It is open five days a week (Sunday - Thursday), between 2pm to 5pm and currently located in a run-down caravan in Alon Shvut. Here, the children receive:

    • For many, their only hot, nutritious meal of the day

    • Help with their homework

    • Tutoring

    • Occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech & language therapy, animal, art and music therapy (as required)

    • Supervised recreational time in a warm, positive and nurturing environment

    The facility also offers:

    • Parental guidance workshops to help improve the domestic situation.

    • Tutoring for parents to improve their basic life-skills

    The Mo'adon is a lifeline for the Peruvian community in Gush Etzion, offering a range of specialist support services which focuses on preventing difficult and challenging family situations developing into crises. The staff at the Mo'adon adopt an 'early-intervention' approach, working with the families to ease the process of absorption which in turn has a positive effect on their personal and family lives, allowing the new immigrants the opportunity to become content, contributing members of the wider community.

    The physical environment is far from adequate to support families, many of whom live below the poverty line. The Gush Etzion Foundation desperately needs to secure private donations to urgently fund a new building, complete with a playground and play equipment which will enable The Council to further develop its services and thus reduce its waiting list.


    Funding Required

    2 x transportation buses from Karmei Tzur and Alon Shvut, twice a day 350 NIS/day 5,600 NIS /month 56,000 NIS/year
    Building a new 120 meter 'mobile home' 140,000 NIS
    Infrastructure Water, sewage, electrics 80,000 NIS
    Build new playground, fence, Shaded area and equipment 100,000 NIS
    Building and Infrastructure total 376,000 NIS (43,218.39 pounds sterling)


    Furniture
    2 x air conditioners/heaters 3,000 NIS (6,500 NIS each)
    Fridge 2,000 NIS
    Oven 2,500 NIS
    Microwave 500 NIS
    Kitchenware 2,000 NIS
    3 x computers 9,000 NIS (3,000 NIS each)
    Printer 800 NIS
    Music Centre 700 NIS
    Audio-Learning Centre 2,500 NIS
    25" TV 500 NIS
    Video/DVD 1,000 NIS
    Games & Puzzles 2,000 NIS
    6 x large pillows 1,200 NIS (200 NIS each)
    Carpet/curtains 5,000 NIS
    Furniture Total 32,700 NIS (3758.62 pounds sterling)