Tesfai: Taking Responsibility

Youth in School

City: Ashdod

Tesfai, a tenth grade ENP-Atidim student in Ashdod, started off this year with the attitude that he knew everything and had no reason to participate in the ENP-Atidim program. He often skipped his study groups or arrived late. Tesfai’s grades, however, were not outstanding because Tesfai focused most of his energies on his social life, which he viewed as the top priority in his life. Upon discovering that Tesfai had begun to hang out with youth who dropped out of school, ENP-Atidim staff got involved. They organized a meeting with Tesfai, Tesfai’s father, the school advisor and ENP-Atidim staff to get to the root of the problem and reveal what was causing Tesfai to neglect his studies and hang out with youth who were having a negative influence on him. Another goal of the meeting was to explain to Tesfai that his behavior was problematic. In the workshops that ENP-Atidim students participated in, the importance of students taking responsibility for their actions was stressed. Students learned about this through simulations, thinking games, and role-play scenarios where students had to make decisions. ENP-Atidim advisors and coordinators made it clear to students that they must proactively pursue success and invest efforts in their studies; no one else can do it for them.

Over the course of the year, Tesfai learned to make decisions on his own, decisions that would be good for him and would contribute to his successful future. Following this process, Tesfai’s behavior and grades began to improve. He now attends the Learning Center three times a week- one day he studies math and English, one day he studies Hebrew grammar, and one day he participates in a workshop aimed at self-empowerment. “I really enjoy the workshops. They help me and are applicable to my life,” says Tesfai. Thanks to ENP-Atidim, the experience of success in the classroom has offered Tesfai a new source of motivation to excel in school.