The Dror School on Kibbutz Mesilot is an institution that provides schooling and therapy for approximately 40 children on the autistic spectrum, and who experience difficulty communicating.
The Mechina participants volunteer once a week with children in the various classes. Over the years spanning our involvement with Dror School, we have observed the success of the project both individually with the respective children and through our relationship with the school itself. The special connection forged between the children and the Mechina members has a positive effect on the children’s development and contributes greatly to the program participants’ own personal development and maturity.

Yossi Rufeisen, the volunteers’ mentor and supervisor at the school, has the following to say:

“For ten years we have been welcoming volunteers from the Mechina. They arrive and enter the unknown full of fear and expectation, and they end the year glowing with excitement and eyes shining, having gained so much which will remain with them for always, accompanied by a sense of having made a meaningful contribution. Their activities mostly involve teaching the children to ride bicycles, swimming with them in the pool and assisting each child to complete a personal project in the class.
The heartfelt connections (which can last for years) formed with members of the staff is an added value which we carry away with us. Their help is very important to us and as far as we can see, it adds a further significant layer to the development of their personalities.”

On behalf of all the staff,
Yossi Rufeisen – Volunteer Program Mentor