Akim - Jerusalem

Starting on August 5th, 2007, and lasting a week, four residents from AKIM-Jerusalem accompanied by two counselors, participated as the Israeli delegation in an art festival that took place in Wildhaus, Switzerland.

As we arrived in the village we were immediately struck by the breathtaking beauty and pastoral, pleasant atmosphere. Our clients were received with a lot of love which continued the whole week. The warm welcoming and everyone’s wish to become familiar with us helped our clients to become part of a special and fascinating community and that also played an important role in the artistic work that we engaged in: rehearsals for the play [the final event of the festival], song and music evenings and the play itself that brought out the best traits and skills of every participant.

The experience we shall best remember is from the hostel for persons with the most severe disabilities who celebrated their 16th anniversary. Participants from all countries dressed up in costumes, played instruments, marched around the village and sang in Polish, Rumanian, German and Hebrew. Afterwards we went for lunch and the festivities calmed down somewhat. Immediately afterwards, the Israelis started dancing spontaneously in the yard, while “Pavarotti” a member of the Rumanian delegation played music. More and more people joined us for the dancing and exhilaration took the air. This experience will no doubt remain in the memories of all the participants at the festival as well as in those of the residents of the hostel. Certainly our clients, too, will proudly remember this experience and their success, almost effortless, but with heartfelt love, to bring happiness to everyone else.

AKIM-Jerusalem 19 Yad Harutzim St., Suite 304 P.O. Box 53409, Jerusalem 91533, ISRAEL
Charity No. 58-001-551-9
Tel: 972-2672-8731 Fax: 972-2672-8730

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