My name is Refael. I am a student at the 7th grade at Ben Yakir. I arrived to the village this year.

I feel that this year was good for me, especially at school. I received a lot of help, extra hours and assistance. It is easier to learn with the teachers here, and more fun.

The teachers don't switch fast from topic to topic like at my old school. They continue and explain until they are sure that every child understood.

My family says that I have grown up this year, become more mature. They say I act differently, speak differently, since I arrived to Ben Yakir.

All the kids in my group - the Oren group - are friends of mine. We fight sometimes, but eventually we always stay friends. We laugh a lot together.

The counselors understand us, help us. If we are sad or angry, they come and talk to us.

The most memorable experience I had this year is an ice-cream activity we had with the counselors. We played a lot of games and activities with ice cream.

This year I took part in the Bar Mitzvah program. Among other things, we went on a jeep ride and it was a lot of fun. It was the first time I took part in a trip of that kind.

The person I will remember the most from this year is my counselor, Hod. Every time I am in a bad place, he helps me, talks to me about it. I feel that I can share things with him and work out my issues with him.

For next year, I wish to myself to have more activities and more trips. I hope in the future, to become a counselor like Hod.