Israel Youth Award: About Student Recipients
CHW Nahalal Youth Village
Yariach: Yariach arrived to CHW Nahalal Youth Village four years ago. He comes from a single parent home and has four other siblings from different fathers. All of Yariach’s siblings were educated in boarding schools and lived in dormitories; Yariach is the only child who went to CHW Nahalal.
Yariach has had a challenging upbringing. His father has no interest in the family, Yariach has never met him, and his father does not pay child support. When Yariach first arrived to CHW Nahalal, the transition was very challenging and emotional. He struggled with his studies as he arrived with large educational gaps. However, Yariach received a great deal of support and over time, Yariach received tools to help him grow into the person he is today. The tools he learnt enabled Yariach to take part in the Israel Youth Award; a process he began in grade nine.
Yariach decided to enroll in a special course through the Ministry of Education. This course teaches children how to be leaders and guide groups of children in various social and community endeavors. Yariach successfully completed the course and received a certificate from the Ministry of Education. Yariach worked with children from CHW Nahalal between the ages 9-11 helping to teach about teamwork, responsibility, anti-bullying, and so on.
At the end of this academic year, Yariach will be graduating from CHW Nahalal Youth Village. He is going to enter the army and serve his country.
Bat-El: Bat-El arrived to CHW Nahalal Youth Village from Haifa three years ago. Bat-El made Aliyah from Ethiopia in 2000. She has seven siblings. When Bat-El arrived to CHW Nahalal, she was extremely insecure and greatly lacked self-confidence. Gradually, Bat-El grew into a strong and poised young woman.
Bat-El decided to pursue poetry and music as a way to express her feelings. She felt that it was important to open up and share her experiences in her life as a way of growing and developing herself. This has helped Bat-El to succeed both academically and socially. Bat-El is studying theater and is taking special extra-curricular classes in voice development.
Bat-El has initiated many social initiatives at CHW Nahalal. She has reached out to her peers and created a friendly environment that focuses on inclusion and helping one another. Bat-El is an excellent example of the impact that one person can have on a large group.
Adam: Adam arrived to CHW Nahalal Youth Village four years ago. Adam is Druze and comes from a Druze village in Israel. Adam loves sports and plays for the Maccabi Haifa soccer team. In fact, Adam was made the team captain for his optimistic attitude and exemplary teamwork skills. As the team captain, Adam is a confident and positive leader. Despite being busy with sports, Adam maintains excellent grades in school, is very friendly and social, and ensures to always speak to everyone at school and in the dormitories; always reaching out to new arrivals to ensure they feel welcome and at home.
Adam is an excellent role model. However, when Adam first arrived to CHW Nahalal he was very shy and quiet. Over time Adam opened up and today he is outgoing and well loved. Adam is a young man of ambition and goals to succeed.
CHW Hadassim Children Youth Village
Michael: Michael is in grade eleven and arrived to CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village in grade five from Sderot. Michael is positive children and an excellent student; he volunteers in at CHW Hadassim working with children and assisting them in their homework. Michael is also a guide at CHW Hadassim; teaching fellow children about being mature, responsible, and independent.
Sheri: Sheri is in grade twelve and arrived to CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village in grade seven. Sheri loved music and is part of the choir at CHW Hadassim. Sheri performs at all of the ceremonies that CHW Hadassim hosts or is invited to, positively representing the youth village. Sheri is a mature and responsible young woman.
