|
 |
When Save A Child’s Heart began in 1995, its first two patients were children
from Ethiopia. They flew alone to Israel for surgery and had no place to stay,
so they were housed in a comfortable, donated apartment in a hotel overlooking
the sea. It was the first time either child had seen such a large body of
water. One week after their surgeries, these children ran down to the sand and
dipped their toes in the Mediterranean as it washed up on the shore.
Today, the SACH Hostel is a new residential facility in Azur, a 5 minute drive
from the Wolfson Medical Center in Israel. The hostel is an important link in
the chain of events that facilitates caring for the hundreds of children who
come from around the world to undergo medical treatment.
Children arrive in Israel in groups of 6 to 8, accompanied by a nurse from
their native country. The majority undergo cardiac surgery or other treatments
over extended periods of time. The hostel becomes home for days preceding the
hospitalization and for the time needed before they are strong enough to return
home.
The Hostel provides lodging, food, supervision, recreation, and transportation
to and from the hospital. The Hostel is run by a housemother assisted by a
dedicated group of local volunteers and overseas volunteers from the IB, the
largest volunteer organization in Germany. They provide a warm temporary home
for all the children and their escorts.
|
|
|
 
|
|