Dr. Dana Liram-Klibanov
On behalf of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Matanel Foundation for forwarding the generous donation in support of the Access for All Program.
Despite severe challenges posed by the Coronavirus outbreak, I am pleased to report to you that the Access for All program has continued full force, offering twelve courses to 220 senior citizens of the Negev, all of whom are on welfare. The students taught courses through zoom, and the content was then discussed with the pupils in WhatsApp groups. A “Present Need” program was activated, adjusting each lesson content to needs facing the community in this difficult time, including hygiene and healthy lifestyles (in the medical courses), positive psychology and coping with stress situations (in the psychology courses), and budget management and family economics (in the business administration courses). Classes also addressed current affairs in Israel, such as social/community entrepreneurship, mindfulness videos, routine during corona, dealing with failures, and the establishment of a new government.
In addition, a supportive network was created. Student instructors began to personally accompany the pupils through telephone calls. They opened designated WhatsApp groups and communicated through other social media so that no one in the program would feel alone. The program’s activities for the entire year will be presented in detail in an upcoming report. The strong support of the Matanel Foundation is crucial to our continued support of the Negev community – who need our involvement even more in this time of crisis. I wish you and your family only good health, stay safe,
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Dana Liram-Klibanov