Every student needs to start off the school year with the right tools, and this includes even the basics – a backpack, pencils, notebooks, markers, crayons, sharpeners, erasers, folders, a binder – without these, learning is obviously next-to-impossible.

With nearly half of Ethiopian-Israeli children living in poverty, these basics can be a difficult stretch for already poor households – households that are nearly 5 times more likely to be in poverty versus the general population – even though both parents work. Providing a package that gets these kids off on the right foot so that they can work to their best ability – and not be ashamed in front of teachers and peers as lacking resources – is a physical and psychological gift that’s exceptionally important.

With the 2,400 dollars raised for the effort by individuals from the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, customized boys and girls bags were put together so that 50 kids could walk away with pride and with one less worry. Parents stood outside the room where one of the distributions took place and smiled broadly as they watched an elder member of the community tell the story of people who care - who are far away in Washington D.C. – but who are still very connected to the community in Beit Shemesh.

On behalf of the ENP Inya Linya children in Beit Shemesh who work hard to do their best in school – and succeed – because of your support of ENP Programs, a very genuine: “Todah Raba – Thanks So Much!”