The organization

The Shai Society, “The House of Wheels” was established by Miss Miriam Schwarcz in 1979. The association for the rehabilitation and support of disabled children and graduates is a volunteer organization. The majority of our youngsters suffer from muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy.

The different activities of our society provide to our children and graduates social life development, and independence challenge as well as other children of the same age.

It is devoted to the development and integration of physically handicapped children in Israel, and also gives to their families a brief respite during the time that the children are under the direct responsibility of the organization.

Today, in addition to the original house in Kibbutz Ramat Hakovesh, there are four additional centers: in Jerusalem, in the Negev, in the Galil and a new center for Bedouin children. 

The five centers provide activities for 350 children, youth, and young adults between 12 and 30 years old.

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 old. The volunteers are motivated solely by their deep sense of responsibility and love for the youngsters and children.

Once a month a group spends the weekend at The House of Wheels, where they socialize and engage in various activities. In addition, group activities reach a climax during the summer school vacation and holiday season, when each group sets off for a week of intense educational, social activities and lots of fun. During the summer camp and weekend activities, the youngsters participate in activities from which they are normally precluded due to their disabilities, such as camel riding, water chutes, kayaking, hill climbing and sleeping out in the open.  During their activities the youngsters learn to cope with and overcome their physical pain and impediments.

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, music etc.

General Director:Avremi Torem 

Chairperson: Penina Schur (PHD)

Beit Hagalgalim
Kibbutz Ramat Hakovesh
44930

Tel:  972- 9-9557999

Fax:  972-9- 9512006

beit_galgalim@barak.net.il

article which was published in the Jewishjournal :

http://www.jewishjournal.com/rob_eshman/article/tough_guys_beit_hagalgalim_20091105/