The Sadna

The Sadna
Hello, my name is Judah and I live in a beautiful apartment with 5 friends in the Judean Hills
in a community called Gvaot. I have a wonderful counselor that I love. He teaches me how to
tidy up the house, cook, and fold laundry. At noon I milk goats and clean the pen. I’m learning
to live alone and I go to visit my family most Fridays. (Judah is 17 years old and was born with
Down syndrome)
I am Sivan. I live with my parents. Because of my illness they remain with me the whole day
and therefore are unable to work. It is hard to find friends. They wanted to send me to learn in
an institution. It’s a tough place. I understand things and have feelings. I’m sad. I really want
to live in the Sadna with friends. (Sivan is 15 years old and suffers from pdd and muscular
dystrophy.)
What is the Sadna?
The Sadna has recently moved to Gvaot, also in Gush Etzion in the Judean Hills and is
surrounded by a forest.
The Sadna offers housing and employment for young adults aged 15-26 who do not fit
in the normal social framework as a result of disorders such as intellectual disabilities,
Down syndrome, autism, muscular dystrophy, and physical and psychological problems.
In addition, some children suffer due to financial hardships and social problems at home.
The residents of the Sadna previously studied at the Reishit School which mainstreams
normal children with special needs children. At the end of the eighth grade, both groups
continue to high school. The challenged children are divided into two groups. Those that
can be mainstreamed continue with their friends in a regular classroom and are given
personal assistance. The second group is unfortunately forced to return to their parents
without a framework. The community village, the Sadna, was created for this group. In
the Sadna these young adults have special housing and live seven days a week including
holidays. They visit their parents from time to time.
What is special about life in the Sadna?
This unique communal village provides housing in an apartment with several boys.
Furthermore, the Sadna enables them to learn and work according to their ability and
to advance as independently as possible. Work in agriculture was introduced as part
of their preparation for adulthood. Students are trained as workers and counselors.
The professional staff lives on the premises, supervises the program, and monitors
the students’ development and achievements on a regular basis.
02-9933032 ‫סטודיו עציון‬
The students are mainly occupied in work on the farm, in the dairy, therapeutic
The Gush Etzion Foundation ‫קרן גוש עציון לפיתוח‬
Fax: 02-9932169 :‫ פקס‬Tel: 02-9939917 :‫ טל‬Alon Shvut 90433 ‫אלון שבות‬
[email protected] www.gush-etzion.org.il
USA POB 1030 Manchester NH 03105 Tel 1-800-7051626
riding, and in an arts and crafts center. This special framework relieves the parents of these young adults so that
they can tend to the other family members.
What can you do to fulfill the dream of Sivan?
The existing framework is only for boys. The girls’ quarters are almost complete in an identical framework.
We received a small sum for renovating a building. In addition, there is a national fundraising event called
”Swim4Sadna” in which women participate in a special swim across the Sea of Galilee. Each swimmer is asked
to raise the sum of 2000 NIS and contribute the money to the Sadna.
Other funding sources for the Sadna
The Ministry of Social Affairs does not permit tuition. Therefore the Ministry funds the food budget and pays the
salaries of the instructors and staff. There are also donations from foundations and individuals. But it’s still not
enough to meet the needs. The Sadna moved this summer and the budget for the move was very substantial and
has only been partially funded.
We need your help to enable Sivan, Judah and their friends to enjoy a great quality of life. You are invited to visit
the Sadna and partner with us on this project.
All photographs are published with the approval of parents.
What you can do to help!
Category
Amount
Total
Misc.
Couch + chairs
1X2500 + 1000
3,500
Girls housing
Pergola
Air Conditioner
7,000
1X 8000
8,000
Microwave ,iron cabinet, mixer,
oven, rugs, lamps, pictures
10,000
Sheltered entrance from rain
5000
Classroom
3
Therapeutic Stable
350,000
Special adjustments
200,000
Riding, stable, arena and storage
Dairy farm
Equipment
250,000
Pen, milking, apparatus
Therapeutic zoo
Equipment
70,000
Cages, food
Vocational workshops
Equipment
50,000
Ceramics, photography carpentry, music
Young adults apartment
1
200,000
Community living
400,000
Synagogue
Communal building