Because every child deserves to enjoy their childhood and to live a good and secure life.

 

But this right is not granted to children from the refugee and asylum-seeker community in Israel.

 

Due to the danger facing asylum seekers in their countries of origin, Israel follows international law and has not expelled them to Sudan and Eritrea. However, after more than a decade in Israel they have not received a permanent status and equal rights. 

 

The parents of asylum-seeker children work long hours at manual labor with low salaries. Most toddlers who were born in Israel are sent to “babysitters” – improvised child-care centers that were established by African women, in small and neglected apartments and sometimes in basements and rooms without light or air. The children spend their days staring at the television screen, without games and without suitable stimulating and enriching activities, and suffer from a serious lack of physical contact and attention. Since 2010, 19 babies have died in these kindergartens. 

 

In light of their early life circumstances, many asylum-seeker children suffer from emotional problems and developmental delays that hinder them in the educational system. There we introduce them to the Elifelet after-school centers, and to our welfare and therapy system, in order to help them bridge the gaps towards a brighter future.