From “Babysitters” to Day Cares, Israel

Vision

Mesila’s main goal is to improve the quality of life of children of asylum seekers. We operate with the understanding that these children are living in a complex environment, therefore our assistance and treatment aim to orbit all the areas of their lives. Mesila is the largest center assisting approximately 14,000 asylum seekers directly and reaches approximately 22,000 in indirect ways, such as informational videos, social networks, far-reaching community activities, etc.

Activity

Mesila takes a “360 degree approach” to address all necessary aspects of working with caregivers, parents, government and municipality, and children. Ultimately, all of the Unit’s work is to improve children’s’ quality of life now and in the future.
Work with the caregivers
Courses, training, and workshops on various subjects for the childcare workers: safety, first aid, activities for children, etc.
Individual weekly pedagogical training within the “babysitters”

Work with children:
Mesila places volunteers from various educational backgrounds (education, para-medical, psychotherapy, etc.) to aid the children.
Pedagogical trainers work with the children in the “babysitters” to demonstrate optimal caregiving practices.
Work with parents:
Provide information, workshops and lectures to educate parents on the importance of their involvement in their child’s development.
Parental leadership groups to provide parental tools and guidance.
Promote registration for municipal kindergartens so that children from age 3.
Policy:
Mesila advances the transition from “babysitters” to government day cares.
Promotes registration for municipal kindergartens so that children from age 3 smoothly transition from “babysitters” to proper municipal educational settings.
Through this Unit, the presence and involvement of Mesila enables us to identify and treat, at an early stage, at-risk children and children with special needs.

The meaning of our group's name is 'Children are the Future'. That is the reason we are all sitting here, learning and sharing – for the children and families in the community".

- Bisrat, manager of the Unitaf day care center in Shapira neighborhood.

Ayelet Dovrat

Ayelet Dovrat has a BA in social work, and is a certified supervisor for social work students in training. Since 2013 she works as the director of the early childhood unit at Mesila. Her work includes:
 Managing a community project for pedagogical guidance in pirate day cares, working with and training the pedagogical
instructors.
 Developing programs for childcare workers and parents in the foreign community.
 Working with and guiding women who operate pirate day cares.
 Developing early childhood programs.
 Ongoing work vis-à-vis government ministries and municipal departments related to the asylum seeker community’s day cares.
 Managing an interdisciplinary staff.
 Supervising social work students from Sapir College.
Prior to her work at Mesila, Ayelet has been an instructor at “Knafayim Preparatory Program” for young people with disabilities, helping them to develop independence. She has also been a guide at the “Individual Guidance for Youth” program, to support young people of Ethiopian origin in cooperation with the Elem Association.