Profile – Rivka, Age 20
In the past four years, a staggering 22,406 terrorist attacks have occurred in Israel with other 983 murdered and 5,794 injured. In addition to these devastating numbers, there is a broader group of victims who have been virtually ignored by government or other helping agencies. For every victim of a terrorist attack, there may be as many as 100 others – family members, friends, classmates and bystanders, who are psychologically wounded by the surrounding traumatic event. Kids are attending funerals, burying their friends and classmates, with overwhelming tears and fears.
On of the best examples of such a young person is Rivka, age 20. She was walking down the street one August evening (2003) when Egged bus #2 exploded. She ran towards the carnage and helped several children including a bloodied baby. Holdings the six month old infant close, she hurried into the first ambulance, already stuffed with battered and crying victims. While Rivka rescued lille Shoshie the baby’s three year old sister was killed instantly with Shoshies parents also lay wounded. Over the months, Rivka has maintained her relationship with Shoshie’s family who are also recovering from their numerous injuries sustained during the terrorist attack.
Rivka became involved in KIDS FOR KIDS Youth Organization for the Recovery of Young Victims of Terrorism (K4K) through their Dale Carnegie program last summer. As an antidote to some of the ills that plague youngsters effected by terrorism, the Dale Carnegie course was offered free to teach how to set and pursue goals, speak in front of others and put enthusiasm back into their lives.
Rivka next participated in a K4K Digial Story Workshop. For Rivka, creating her personal Digital Story was the first big step toward recognizing and dealing with the trauma she suffered as a witness to a terrorist attack. KIDS FOR KIDS Digital Storytelling workshops combines computer technology with narrative therapy. It empowers young people like Rivka to create 3-5 minute stories about their experience with terrorism. The program helped Rivka to delve deeper and understand the empact the bus bombing had on her and her outlook towards live.
After creating her Digial Story, Rivka got involved in K4K’s Drama Therapy and Diaspora Education programs. She went to America with KIDS FOR KIDS ‘Yesterday’s Kids’ program. The production was performed in Jerusalem , Washington DC, Hartford, Boston and throughout New York City area.
At the end of each performance, all seven of the young performers introduced themselves. At the performance in Jerusalem, Rivka’s parents and siblings were present and for the first time, heard what happened on that fateful August night. By the end of the ‘Yesterday’s Kids’ your, Rivka had told her story to thousands of people. For Rivka, this took incredible courage and the experience was healing.
Yeshare Gold, Founder and International Directory of KIDS FOR KIDS (K4K) coined the phrase “falling between the streachers” to describe the kids, like Rivka, who are experiencing trauma and loss but would not be properly facing it were it not for K4K. Yeshara says: “We at KIDS FOR KIDS understand that mental and emotional health is a necessity if our next generation of Israeli children is to pass through this current terrorist crisis. We hope that someday, our Israeli children will live in peace, not war. Until that day comes, we trust your agree with us, that every youngster deserves a childhood, even while living under fire.”
KIDS FOR KIDS fosters tangible supportive programs and human services for the young victims and their families who have been left orphaned, maimed or traumatized. Working through neighborhood schools, centers, established organizations, and individuals, in Israel and throughout the Diaspora, K4K channels the high energy level of youth into programs that promote the physical and emotional recovery of other youngsters whose lives have been forever changed by the current violence. Since December 2000, K4K reached thousands of children through scores of programs including:
- FOOTSTEPS: Teenage Therapeutic Support Groups
- EYTAN: Elementary age Support Groups
- Digial Storytelling: Multi-media Narrative Therapy
- Whispers and Shouts: Writing / Art Expression Workshops
- Yesterday’s Kids: Drama Therapy and Diaspora Education
- Immediate Crisis Relief: Financial Assistance and Services for Families in Crisis
- Hospital and Home Visits
Rivka’s Digital Story is amazingly moving for Diaspora audiences who have been able to view it at KIDS FOR KIDS Hasbara programs. To schedule a program, or to learn more about KIDS FOR KIDS visit their website at www.kidsforkids.net or call their NY number that rings in their Jerusalem office 917-254-4100.
* The name of the girl described in this article has been changed to protect her privacy.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, October 6th, 2004 and is filed under action.