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Last month, we were privileged
to share the milestone of 6 of our house sisters who graduated 12th grade.
The Home hosted a party where the girls received certificates of excellence in
subject matter, personal qualities and their achievements. Theatrical
presentations and musical skits were performed to everyone's delight and a
cornucopia of fruit and assorted deserts were offered.
 Oftentimes, as life has it,
joy comes with reservation and even trepidation.
Although completing their high school education is a tremendous accomplishment,
a few of the graduates suffered anxiety. The fact is that at this time, their
futures are unsure. One girl was visiting extended family, and was afraid to
travel to Netanya to celebrate, since on that day, rockets had been launched in
the city she visited and she had to run for shelter with other young people.
 Our programs director Bracha
Runes addresses each of these girls' issues. She has studied
the girls' profiles, has met with them individually and helped them to assess their
options for next year. Currently, Bracha is coordinating funds to get our 6
graduates into various higher education courses. What Bracha thinks is amazing,
is that these particular girls came from very difficult backgrounds – an
orphan, girls from divorced homes, one with an incarcerated father, and one
with an institutionalized mother. They also had learning disabilities that
needed lots of work. Through
persistence, patience, diligent tutors and lots of love, she tells us,...”they
excelled to their best ability.”
 One special girl, we learned about, had
highly experienced and well-trained teachers working with her to keep her up to
par with her classmates. Bracha said that in another children's home, no one
would try so hard with a girl who was so behind. She would not have ended up getting anywhere
in the higher educational spectrum. But at the Lev LaLev Home, they made sure
to help her every step of the way so that she could succeed.
 At
the graduation party, the girls each
read a thank you letter to the Home for all that they did and continue to do for them.
They also showed a slideshow with the girls throughout their years at the
Home. Music and dancing was also part of their festive mood.
Finally, in a contemplative voice, Bracha
mentioned that although the girls were happy to graduate, and thrilled to have this
commemorative party, she couldn't help but notice how worried these girls
appeared. Not one of them has a program
to attend this Fall. Career counseling would be an excellent
avenue to assuage these girls' fears.
Please think of these new
graduates and DONATE NOW to help their future become brighter!
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