Close to 120 youngsters who take part in Ezer Mizion's Terror Orphan Program (TOP) and their mentors capped their 2007 summer vacations with TOP's annual outings.  The children, who range in age from 8 to 15, come from towns in the Northern Shomron and Binyamin areas that were particularly hard hit during the wave of Arab violence that swept Israel several years ago, and from cities in central Israel.

Two groups of children spent a day in the heart of nature, in the northern Galilee and the Golan Heights.  Surrounded by breathtaking scenery they hiked and kayaked and frolicked in streams. The third group enjoyed a day of thrills and excitement at Luna Park, Israel's most famous amusement park.

"In addition to giving the kids a great time and enabling them to ‘let off steam,' this open-ended framework creates greater social cohesion among the children and adds a new dimension to their relationship with their mentors," says Pnina Friedman, director of TOP. 

"The informality encourages the youngsters to open up and disclose issues that are ordinarily hesitant to discuss.  One boy, for instance, spoke to his mentor about his murdered father for the first time.  Beyond the great time they spent together, this fun experience fosters a special closeness between the children and their mentors which has far reaching effects."

Related Links
Terror Orphan Program