Opportunities for Assistance:
Make a Difference in Sderot!
Your support will help create a brighter future for Ethiopian-Israelis in Sderot
The Challenge
Sderot is located west of the Negev desert in the Southern District of Israel. The city is nearby Gaza; the actual closest point is 840 meters. This city is proud of its winner of the Israeli version of Kokhav Nolad (American Idol) in 2011. Her name is Hagit Yaso and she is of Ethiopian origin. Like many other Ethiopians, she made her way to Israel via Sudan.
Sderot is home to around 21,100 inhabitants. It has a small community of Ethiopian-Israelis, with only 509 citizens. 59 Ethiopian-Israelis are between 13 and 18 years old.
Social and educational needs in a place that’s constantly under threat
Hardly a kilometer from Gaza, Sderot often experiences missile attacks. This means that many kids live in an insecure environment and experience a continual feeling of threats.
As national research reveals as well, Ethiopian-Israelis in Sderot:
• are one of the poorest communities in the city;
• have a higher chance of dropping out from school and end up participating in criminal activities;
• have generally lower academic results than their non-Ethiopian peers;
• come from bigger families, where parents are often unable to help their children with school or to support them with extra-curricular activities.