Yair: I felt that I was a child again – and we had lots of fun
When we asked Yair to sum up his experience at the Latet Tikva Chanukah camp, he thought for a moment and replied, “I remembered that I was a child, and not just a patient”. For Yair, as well as for dozens of other children with serious illnesses who participated in vacation and rehabilitation camps, the change of atmosphere and fun-filled activities remind them that life is beautiful. These moments of joy and pleasure, make them forget, for a while, the bitter taste of the drugs, the pain of the treatments they undergo and the difficulty of coping with their illness.
Childhood experiences
The camp provides an environment adapted to the special needs of these children, with a program of activities and entertainment suited to the children’s abilities. The varied activities include an exciting visit an amusement park, challenging physical activities, sailing and more. Yet many of the children actually enjoy the small, normal childhood moments most of all – games with friends, songs, jokes, and lots of laughter.
Fun and recreation in the company of children has been proved to contribute to improving the health and mental state of children, as described by doctors: When the kids come back from the camp, their blood test values improve remarkably, as well as their state of mind and mood! And no wonder – at the camp, the children manage to forget their troubles and problems, and enjoy playing, laughing, joking around – in short being children.
Renewed strength
After the vacation, the children return with renewed vigor and confidence – and not just the children, but also the family members that accompanied them. They also feel heartened after spending leisure and quality time with their loved ones, away from the hospitals and clinics, and the exhausting treatment routine. Family members return with renewed strength, allowing them to continue to provide the children with support, assistance and care that is so essential to them.
Our reward is their smiles – that continue to accompany us long after the end of these unique fun-filled days
