See
WIZO
AUSTRALIA'S
PROJECTS
for yourself!
If you're planning
to visit Israel,
give your
itinerary details
to your
WIZO State office.
The WIZO
Tourism Office
will make all
the arrangements
for you to see
WIZO at work.
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WIZO Australia Sponsored Project
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WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS
VISIT AHUZAT YELADIM
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During an intensive study mission to Israel organised by the Pratt Foundation,
eleven WA parliamentarians, including the Minister for Water and Mental Health,
the Minister for Corrective Services, the Deputy Oppostition Leader and the Shadow
Minister for Energy, visited WIZO Australia-sponsored Ahuzat Yeladim.
Janine Gelley, World WIZO's Tourism Vice-Chairperson,welcomed the guests, while
Brenda Katten, Public Relations Chair, gave a brief history of WIZO as well as an
explanation of how WIZO responds to the numerous challenges faced by Israeli society.
The Centre's Director, Yossi Saragussi gave a moving presentation, graphically
describing how children arrive at the school with multiple problems - yet with love, care
and professional skills, 95% of them graduate into contributing members of Israeli society.
Delegation members were deeply impressed with all that they saw with one Minister
commenting that "We have nothing like this in Australia - it's fantastic".
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WIZO MEMBERS VISIT AHUZAT YELADIM
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In December 2009, active WIZO member Michal Saben, together with her family and friends,
visited Ahuzat Yeladim.
Below are her words and pictures:
While in Israel, my family together with the Cohen, Greenstein and Krawitz families,
visited Ahuzat Yeladim. Being involved and associated with WIZO for many years, I and the other mums
wanted to show our husbands and kids "the fruits" of our hard work.
We felt it was important for them to see, first-hand, where our money, through tireless
fundraising, goes and the beneficial impact WIZO makes on the lives of these disadvantaged kids.
In addition, I was eager and excited to see the growth of the school since my previous visit.
Celia Michonik, World WIZO Chairperson of Public Affairs, accompanied us and briefed us on
WIZO's wonderful work in Israel. On arrival at the school, we were met by Yossi, the extraordinary
Director, who explained with great enthusiasm the various facilities and programs offered at this unique
school and the motivation behind each innovation.
His stories of the hardships as well as success stories of various students kept us rivetted. He then
showed us the classrooms, the new dormitories, the Shabbat House, the pet therapy/petting zoo, the
basketball court, "House of Dreams" and the "Road of Hope". We even met some of the kids.
Our kids handed out small Aussie souvenirs which were greatly appreciated.
We were then invited to lunch with Yossi and the students in the cafeteria and were struck by the
friendliness and homely atmosphere that has been created here.
The invaluable work done by Yossi and the staff is truly inspirational. Our visit reinforced for us,
WIZO women, the value and importance of our work and further motivated us in our efforts and commitment.
Our husbands were proud of our involvement and contributions enabling continued growth and success of
Ahuzat Yeladim. And our kids? The next WIZO generation was encouraged to follow in their mum's footsteps.
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WIZO AUSTRALIA EXECUTIVE MEMBER VISITS AHUZAT YELADIM
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On 21st December 2008, WIZO Australia's Fundraising & Organisation Chairperson,
Rachel Caplan, visited Ahuzat Yeladim and toured the facility in Haifa.
Below are her impressions of what she saw and experienced:
Yossi Saragossi, the Principal of WIZO Ahuzat Yeladim, had had a rough morning just before
we arrived for our tour of Ahuza - that comes with the territory when you are dealing with
the lives of children who have deep psychological problems.
Notwithstanding the trauma of the previous two hours, Yossi devoted himself to giving my husband
(Murray) and me, and Miki Preiss (also from Melbourne), an in-depth briefing on the activities at
Ahuza and a complete tour of the facilities.
We were treated to lunch and shown the amazing renovations of the dormitories, the new
state-of-the-art basketball court and the construction site of the "House of Dreams".
We all know that Yossi and his staff do an amazing job under difficult circumstances. We
can only admire them for what they do for these at-risk children in WIZO's care.
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DID YOU KNOW THAT
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WIZO operates
a network of
more than 250
educational facilities
in Israel,
including:
high schools
residential villages
day care centres
multi-purpose centres
youth clubs
therapeutic centres
and a college?
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