Since the lull in hostilities from Gaza, our office has been overwhelmed with people asking what they can do to help the children and youth in Southern Israel.
There is a glut of toys, games, and candies already being sent to Southern Israel.
Since that is not what is needed, this is a time time to develop programs that address the mental well being of children and young adults who have experienced unprecedented traumatic experiences as part of the 1 million people who were forced to run for their lives during missile attacks that caused direct damage to more than 1200 homes.
We invite people to sponsor a project that will INSPIRE the children & young adults of Southern Israel to DOCUMENT impressions of their own experiences before and after operation “Pillar of Defense.”
The 50 best entries will be rewarded with a modest cash prize. The entries will also be edited, as needed, in Hebrew and translated into English, French, Spanish and Russian.
The Israel Ministry for Public Diplomacy will be asked to issue these essays as an INSTANT book for Chanukah.
This type of therapy will teach children with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to articulate their feelings, and share their voice with people all over the globe.
HERE’S HOW IT THE IDEA WILL WORK:
We are asking children and young adults in Southern Israel to write, draw, paint, photograph, or even blog their experience during this past operation.
The goal is to INSPIRE them to express themselves through the arts. They would be encouraged to depict the experiences that they had during that terrible week - in their homes, their streets, and in their shelters - to describe what they witnessed as sirens blared and missiles fell.
The best way to help these children is to get them to open up their minds and be creative. This WILL help them deal with their traumatizing