Israel Non Profit News » computers

Beit Galgalim offers Computer Club for Special Needs Children in Hura

Pamela Deutsch — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:13:08 +0000

Ten children from Hura, Tel Sheva and Lakiya, with a variety of disabilities are attending a weekly computer club at Beit Elalmel. Beit Elalmel located in Hura, is part of Beit Galgalim’s Bedouin Branch and now has a fully equipped computer room. The group led by Hit’af starts with relaxation exercises. Hit’af who studied psychodrama therapy feels each meeting is an opportunity for these children to experience something new as most of the children’s afternoons are spent in front of the television set or playing with their younger siblings. The activities held in Beit Elamlmel are the only opportunity for these children to get out of the house and participate in fun educational activities; proof of this point is the excellent attendance record!

Cisco Certifies Machshava Tova

Pamela Deutsch — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:15:15 +0000

Deal with Cisco allows MT to provide professional certificates to course participants

Machshava Tova is proud to announce a partnership with Cisco, a leading international supplier of networking equipment and network management for the Internet. This partnership will significantly raise the academic and professional level of a number of computer courses.

The partnership provides:

► Participants in Cisco certified courses will receive an international certificate of graduation from Cisco.

► Some participants, upon graduating from courses, can join courses to become a Cisco certified teacher.

► A recognized, high academic level in courses related to data security and becoming a computer technician.

By joining with Cisco, Machshava Tova will be able to

■ offer Cisco courses at an extremely reduced rate, in comparison to other technical schools and universities

■ provide employment opportunities as there is great demand for Cisco certified workers and this will benefit the underprivileged populations Machshava Tova services

■ apply for government grants for various employment courses- attaching Cisco’s name to the application gives added credibility to the course’s goals and outcomes

Machshava Tova is grateful to Cisco for this opportunity and looks forward to helping the unemployed find gainful employment- using their Cisco certificate.

Olim al Machshev (New Immigrants Learning Computers)

Pamela Deutsch — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:06:41 +0000

From the CEO’s Desk:

It’s July 13 and I’m sitting in the Armon Hanitziv Center, watching the “Olim al Machshev” course (new immigrants learning computers and Hebrew language skills). There’s a genuine feeling in the room of people beginning to change their lives. New immigrants from Ethiopia, Russia and South America who are employed as street cleaners and security personnel are being exposed for the first time to writing in Hebrew and using the Internet.

Right now, they are learning to write official letters and suddenly they can write to the phone company about false charges, to the cable company about the technician that never showed or a thank you letter to a vendor for quality service. They are receiving real-life skills so they can deal with difficulties they face, independently and with self-confidence.

I watch all this in amazement and once again see clearly that the investment we make in our centers and workers pays dividends- over and over again.

To all our workers, volunteers and donor partners: Thank you.

- Daniel

Second Mobile Computer Unit Hits the Road

Pamela Deutsch — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:04:33 +0000

Machshava Tova’s (MT) second Mobile Computer Unit (MCU) has officially begun operating all over Israel! The second MCU, equipped with 18 laptop computers, a wireless printer and projector, allows MT to reach new populations and provide them access to computers, help
them acquire knowledge and empower them to seek a better future for themselves and their families.

Machshava Tova is extremely grateful to the Shoresh Foundation, Italian Friends of Machshava Tova and Keren Hayesod of Italy for their generous donations towards the establishment of the second MCU. This MCU will operate within Jerusalem and all over Israel, with a special emphasis on helping people with special needs, youth-at-risk, ultra-Orthodox children and adults, unemployed adults and people living in development towns. MT is currently in contact with many organizations who are interested in availing themselves of this one of a kind service.

Currently, the second MCU is being used for:
■ a basic computer skills course for people with mental disabilities in Bnai Brak, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health
■ computer basics for ultra-Orthodox women in Givat Shaul, Jerusalem who wish to enter the workforce, in cooperation with “Kol Haisha”
■ a course in Excel for people interested in marketing, in Caesarea
■ courses in digital photography for teenagers and adults- the emphasis for adults is on assisting them to find work as photographers
■ a basics skills course for adults in the Maale Adumim Community Center
■ working with kindergarten age children to prepare them for Grade One
■ a basic skills course for hard of hearing adults in Jerusalem- the emphasis on helping them adopt to the modern workplace using IM, ICQ and other programs as a means of communication
■ a joint course with “Mati” to help small businesses advertise on the Internet
■ an animation course for ultra-Orthodox youth-at-risk in Kiryat Hayeled in Jerusalem

On Sunday May 18, the MCU was showcased at the Jerusalem Education Department “Innovative Education” Conference in Binyanei
Hauma. MT set up the MCU laptops, as well as the storage boxes of the MCU to give conference participants an idea of how the MCU works.
Participants from other organizations came and met with MT staff members in an effort to discuss potential partnerships. In addition, the Machshava Tova booth was visited by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (seen at left speaking with MT CEO Daniel Weil). Mr. Barkat, who is very familiar with Machshava Tova’s activities and centers within Jerusalem, was excited to hear about the second MCU and wished the organization much success in helping the weakest populations of Jerusalem acquire computer skills.

The House of Wheels (Beit Hagalgalim)

Pamela Deutsch — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:11:55 +0000

The Shai Society for the rehabilitation and support of disabled children is the volunteer organization behind The House of Wheels and was established by the late Miriam Schwartz in 1979. It is devoted to the development and integration of physically handicapped children in Israel, and also gives the families of the children a brief respite during the time that the children are under the direct care of the organization.

Today, in addition to the original house in Kibbutz Ramat Hakovesh, there are three additional centers: Jerusalem, the Negev and the Galil. The four centers provide activities for 300 children, youth,and young adults between the ages 12 and 30, the majority of who suffer from muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. Activities are conducted in intimate groups of 15 children and youths under the supervision of a like number of volunteering guides. The 300 volunteers are the backbone of our project. They are mainly students between 22 and 28 years of age. The volunteers are motivated solely by their deep sense of responsibility and love for the youngsters and children.

In addition to the social activities during group weekends and vacations, there are workshops throughout the week, with professional instructors aided by the guides. Workshops are based on a common activity for a group of youths of varying ages. Classes include drama, psychodrama, journalism, video, sailing, art and music.

The House of Wheels

Machshava Tova’s Project Arava is Under Way!

Pamela Deutsch — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:43:15 +0000

Project aims to teach students from low socio-economic background and prepare them for entry into IDF’s Technology Units

Recently, many tenth graders came to the Kiryat Menachem Computer Center to learn about and be tested for entry into the Arava Project (see below for full description of project). Machshava Tova’s (www.mtova.org.il) partners – the neighborhood welfare administration, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) technological units and Mercaz Braira – sent representatives to meet the prospective participants. The teenagers came from neighborhoods all over Jerusalem, including Givat Zeev, Neve Yaakov, Gilo, Kiryat Menachem, Kiryat Yovel and many more.

The day began with a talk from each of the partners to describe the project and what the anticipated outcome will hopefully be. A test in technical logic was then administered to everyone- prior knowledge of computers was not a prerequisite to enter the program. Finally, each prospective participant was interviewed by a member of each program partner. At the end of the day, 21 students were chosen and the program will be starting in May.

Much thanks to Pnina Samucha, Kiryat Menachem Director, for her tireless efforts in contacting schools, meeting principals and teachers and marketing the course all over Jerusalem. The fact that so many teenagers showed up and the course is full is a testament to her outstanding efforts. In addition, thanks to

■ Edna Darnel for connecting Machshava Tova with the Jerusalem Municipality and various high schools

■ Hagar Ronen who represented Mercaz Braira

■ Omri Avned who is in charge of instruction

■ Bar Inbar, IDF Officer in charge of programming courses for Basmach (IDF Technological Unit)

■ Volunteer university students who will participate in teaching the course- some of whom served in Basmach

■ Amit, an IDF soldier who volunteers at our computer center

■ Tamar Weil, who is serving her year of national service at our computer centers

The Mamram/Basmach is the technological unit of the IDF, which specializes in using computers to help soldiers in the field and to gather intelligence. Knowledge of basic computer skills is a major component of one’s potential acceptance into this unit. Children from low socio-economic backgrounds are woefully under-represented in this unit because their financial situation does not allow them access to a computer in the home and this prevents many of them from even applying to this unit.

Machshava Tova has constructed the Arava program to increase the chances of teenagers from low socio-economic backgrounds being accepted to this unit. The program will take place during grade eleven. Those accepted into the program will meet once a week for two hours. The program includes:

► learning advanced computer skills

► preparation for the battery of tests teenagers face when first enlisting in the IDF as a pre-requisite for entrance into the Mamram unit

► visiting the army’s Mamram unit, hi-tech companies and hearing from hi-tech executives

There are four main objectives which this program hopes to accomplish:

1) Motivate these students to work harder at school as a way of bettering their future.

2) Opening to these students a whole new set of possibilities they never knew existed.

3) Ending a life of poverty for these students. Graduates of the Mamram unit are highly recruited by hi-tech companies, where starting salaries are far above the average Israeli salary.

4) By showing them the light at the end of the tunnel- possible full time employment after army service- it is possible to raise their self-esteem and allow them to realize their full potential.

By providing access to computers, giving students a chance to acquire the skills needed to enter the Mamram unit, Machshava Tova can empower them to seek a better future.