A Thank You Letter translated from Hebrew From: The Education Center Soroka Medical Center To: Mr. Yehuda Nagar Director of Madarom June 2004

Re: Science and Technology Summer Camp for the children from the department of oncology and from the department of endocrinology and juvenile diabetes

First of all, I would like to thank you for your cooperation in funding and organizing the summer camp at Nitzana, from 9-13 May, for the children who are patients of Soroka. Some 90 children and youth from Soroka took part in the camp, as well as 14 pupils from Shorashim school. The camp included educational and experiential activities around the topic of science and solar energy, activities in the swimming pool, cycling, arts and crafts, challenging sports in Nitzanim forest, a carnival, film-making, photography and more.

The camp was supervised by an educational team from Soroka, a teacher and counselor from Shorashim, a medical team (two physicians and a nurse), medical students from the social involvement unit, National Service volunteers, and volunteer students from the educational unit of Soroka.

Thursday 13 May 2004 was the pinnacle of the camp, when the children treated in our departments, together with their parents and the parents of the children in the summer camp, were invited to a Fun Day at Nitzana that included lunch and surprises. The doctors and nurses who care for these children were also invited, and we believe that this recreational meeting with the children will enhance the doctor-patient relationships.

I would like to point out the efficient manner in which you organized the camp. The contract was drawn up meticulously and insured the children in the best possible way; the contract was sent on time and arrived before the camp started. We were pleased to meet the representatives of Madarom and Sacta-Rashi Foundation at the camp, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Education and the Shorashim school. Your interest in the children was heart-warming and we could feel your support and concern for the children throughout.

The program was varied and full of activities. This year we included more activities outside of Nitzana. The activity at Nitzanim was very successful despite the long journey to get there – in fact the journey itself was a special experience. The trips to Mitzpe Ramon and to the Bedouin encampment at Azouz were exciting and enjoyable.

Despite our reservations concerning the closing of Nitzana's pool due to renovations, the Kibbutz Revivim's pool was a successful alternative. Although the travel time slightly disturbed the timetable, the wonderful organization by Nitzana's volunteers turned the bus rides into fun.

We were surprised by the successful integration of the 14 Shorashim children with Soroka's children. The kids found new friends, the stories of the sick children touched and moved the schoolchildren and the encounter offered them a wonderful opportunity to give, to love and to discover the value of tolerance. All the feelings were mutual. This meeting of the different groups of children was emotional, educational and gave us new directions for top quality educational, values-oriented work.

Despite the great difficulty in organizing a summer camp of this sort, which brings together children from all sorts of backgrounds – Jews, Bedouin, religious and non-religious, regular education and special needs – we found it to be a marvelous journey towards education for values – the values of tolerance, giving and love – and we are thrilled by this.

The smiles and joy experienced by the children during this summer camp were worth all the effort, reservations and fears in our hearts. And again thank you for enabling us to run the camp again this year.

With thanks, Esther Freedman Director of the Education Center