Boxing day . . . the hard-working Modiin Ladies in action packing boxes with food

Many of you may not know that Neve ESRA, the project supported by ESRA Modiin, has a “younger” sister in two senses. Modiin’s Welfare Department. runs three afternoon centers for the city’s children at risk. Neve ESRA caters for the 9 to 12 years old, and the group of 6 to 9 years has the support of Modiin Ladies (MLE), a group of young mothers, affiliated to ESRA Modiin.

The younger center caters to 15 children from disadvantaged homes, each with different issues and each with very sad stories. This year the Modiin Ladies introduced the Avnei Hachoshen 6th grade girls to the center and together they ran the "Birthday program". Each month a group of 5-6 girls would organize a party activity, bring refreshments, bake a cake and celebrate with each kid that had a birthday that month. Each birthday child received a present of NIS 50 worth from our Modiin Ladies. Both the kids and the volunteers had a great time.

Last year the Modiin Ladies brought in all municipal department managers to see the devastating state of the center. All agreed that the place needed to be fixed up and at the beginning of this year the municipality finally started. A total of NIS 60,000 went into the renovation program which included a new jungle gym play set, clean new sand, fences, plants and, most important, renovation of the toilets and adding a shower for the kids.

In June they had an end of the year party together with all the kids, including those from Avnei Hachoshen. They invited the municipal clowns and had a fantastic time. Again each child received a present from the Modiin Ladies. They organized free jumping castles and games for two days in the center during their summer camp.

These hard-working young women also have a program to supply baby formula and diapers. Over the past year they have received requests to assist ten welfare babies. They plan on running this program again in 2014 as they never want to refuse a young family in need.

Another arm to this dynamic group is raising donations for food parcels for Rosh Hashanah, Purim and Pesach. This last Pesach they raised over NIS 6,000 for food vouchers and sent out 20 parcels, each valued at NIS 300. The parcel consisted of minced meat, chickens, wine, matzah, soup, vegetables, rice, sugar, spices, chocolate spreads, drinks, oil, tuna and other canned products, and more. Eden Water Company assisted with the packing and dispersing. They are now raising money again for this Rosh Hashanah.

Enjoying an end of year party thanks to the Modiin Ladies

Finally, last year they received a donation of 30 school bags - 15 bags went to Neve ESRA and the rest to the younger center. We are hoping to receive a larger donation this August in time for the new school year.

Cherie Albucher, their able chairperson, says it has been a very intense year and they are in need of more volunteers so that they can carry on their programs for 2014 and open even more projects.

If you are interested in helping contact Cherie saolim@modiin.muni.il, tel: 050 766 3080