June 10, 2010 / 28 Sivan 5770

The children and staff of Youth Futures in Afula received a special visitor on June 7th, 2010:  Mrs. Nadia Braunschweig, Committee Member of Keren Hayesod Geneva’s Women Division and wife of the Lausanne Keren Hayesod Campaign President.

Youth Futures, a flagship Jewish Agency initiative supported by Keren Hayesod, strengthens more than 10,000 children at risk in 32 disadvantaged communities along Israel's socio-economic periphery.  The success of the program lies in the individual relationships between the youth and their assigned "Trustees" who mentor them and who are responsible for connecting them to the necessary resources to help them succeed in life and break through the cycle of poverty.

Nadia's began her visit at the Alumot School in Afula where she met with Youth Future's staff and trustees. She then experienced first-hand the project's ground-breaking work with children and youth at risk by participating in a group activity with 13 children from the project.
 
Three girls from the group who participate in the program's music empowerment activity honored Nadia and the Geneva Women's Division by dedicating to them a song that they sang called, "Halleluja."  Afterwards, Nadia sat in a circle with the children and played a special game of "Association" where each child had to pick up an illustrated card and then, based on the thoughts associated with the card, tell the group what the Youth Futures program means to them. When it was Nadia's turn, she picked up a card with a light switch and said that she wished for the children "Youth Futures would be a light of inspiration."
 
At the end of the meeting, smiling brightly, Nadia told the children that there are many people they don't know who love and support them in their endeavors. In response the children smiled back and said, "We love you too and thank you for all your help!"