02.05.2010

   Among the wide variety of festivals and recreational events which took place during the Passover (Pesach) holiday, the Settlement Festival which was held at Moshav Yachini was outstanding in its simplicity.  As the title suggests the festival called on people to come and do some physical labor, thereby helping in the development work at the Ayalim students' village in Yachini.  About 500 young men and women gave up their vacation during the Passover break and decided to come and allot time and energy to this worthy endeavor.  They hoed and tilled the ground, planted orchards, installed benches and built a special pathway made from rubber chips so that it could be accessible for disabled people.    About 50 students currently live at the Ayalim students' village in Yachini and among them there are 9 disabled young men and women who share two apartments.

  Tair-Lev Michlin is twenty years old and disabled; she grew up in Eilat but now lives in the village while she participating in Mechinat Knafaim - a preparation for a life program.   She volunteers at the Mercaz Netivim and her work there includes the coordination of meetings and appointments as well as assisting the coordinator for higher education and careers.   Tair-Lev speaks about the wonderful atmosphere and a great sense of satisfaction in her work at the center.  She also speaks with exceptional enthusiasm about her desire to contribute to society, stating, "I did not choose to be born like this, and why should I contribute less because of this disability?  I want to give the country where I live what it deserves.  I wanted to prove, mainly to myself, that I am like everybody else.   It is important for me to value and support the state and not accept things as straightforward and clear."   
      One of the good things about living in the Ayalim students' village that Tair-Lev noted is that she resides there among people just like herself.  In her opinion, the problem for a person living in "a regular society" is that he or she cannot express themselves as they might like to do.  This becomes a struggle against attrition as the other people do not understand their predicament.  As the first handicapped adolescent growing up in the Eilat, there was nobody who could offer me support apart from my family.  At the Ayalim students' village Tair-Lev feels at home, with the understanding and support she receives from those around her – friends and instructors.  "Here I have the strength.  I find it easier to look at people like me and internalize the fact that there will always be a difference between me and other people."
   When Tair-Lev finishes her national service in the near future she plans to begin academic studies.

     During the festival's three days the participants enjoyed physical labor, an agricultural "treasure hunt" game, study meetings, parties, and a singsong around the bonfire as well as various activities for children.

    Recently, five additional apartments, accessible for disabled young people were renovated and suitably adapted, with help from the National Insurance's fund for special projects, the Ministry for Social Welfare and private donors.