Merging Our Vision With Mother Nature
by Dr. Benny Fisher, Director
Yemin Orde Youth Village
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At Yemin Orde, we are constantly merging our vision and plans with the tumultuous lives of the children, the personal lives of the staff and, as we saw one year ago, the force and fury of Mother Nature. In the days following the fire, our efforts focused on maintaining normalcy for the children. Today, I am proud to report, our children are thriving and a great sense of energy and excitement flourishes throughout the Village.
In the days following the fire, we encouraged the children to view our challenging situation with optimism. In so doing, we turned crisis into opportunity and gained strength from adversity. Our ability to support our staff both emotionally and financially in the fire’s aftermath enabled them to model optimism for our children and to finish the school year on a positive note.
In the Aftermath of the Fire
We returned to the Village as soon as it was safe and suitable to do so. We focused our efforts on providing the children with a normal and supportive environment and enabled them to return to their normal routines. We cleaned up the debris from the fire around the Village, created green areas, planted flowers and created a therapeutic climate. We also provided extra educational support for our children. Evidence of our success is reflected in our children’s successful winter national matriculation test scores.
After being in the public spotlight for so many months following the fire, our springtime scholarship ceremony was a private event. Our graduates know that, despite the damage to the Village, the essence of Yemin Orde remains the same.
We now have a new comprehensive master plan for the Village. The fire’s destruction expedited the need to upgrade and renovate many older buildings and provided the opportunity to create an even more special place for our children. For example, the children’s’ homes will have small kitchenettes and dining areas so that they can eat breakfasts together. In addition, we will enlarge each home’s bathroom facility making them more private and accommodating. It was important to include the children in this process and we invited them to several planning sessions over the last several months.
Ecological Center Opens
I am proud of an exciting project at Yemin Orde that will connect our children to nature in a very positive and educational way. This new project is a direct result of the devastation to our land from the horrific fire that tore through our Village and the Carmel Forest. Our new Ecological Center contains an educational greenhouse, a petting zoo, a blacksmith and pottery workshop and shaded areas for classroom study. In the future, we will add a recycling station and a goat farm to the Center.
The children will learn about native plants that grow in our area and design and landscape the region surrounding the Center, as well as the adjacent Carmel Forest, close to the Village. In addition, the petting zoo will provide the children with the opportunity to take on responsibility and learn self-discipline, while learning to care for animals, under the supervision of specialized staff. Eventually, the Center will provide the children with studies in which they can take matriculation tests and prepare themselves for careers in agriculture or farming.
A Look Back, A Look Ahead
The year has passed so quickly since the fire. The memories of the fire and its destruction will remain with us, but we are optimistic and we believe in our path. Most important, we know that our task at Yemin Orde is not finished. There are still thousands of children who need our help in Israel and throughout world. Our Village and Educational Initiatives, both models of educational excellence, have received exposure as a result of the fire. The fire brought Yemin Orde into the public eye, the front pages of newspapers, on television, and in the hearts and minds of people throughout Israel.
Some days, during this past year, proved to be unbearably challenging as we seemed to be weighted with indescribable chaos. I made it through these days, personally, with the knowledge that Yemin Orde is supported by a group of wise and committed friends across the sea. This friendship has helped me and other staff members get through these most difficult times and has encouraged our children and graduates, as well.
Thank you for enabling us to keep our promises to the children.
Sincerely,
Benny
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