Meir Panim Update
Meir Panim Succeeds in Helping Struggling Single Mother Out of the Cycle of Poverty
November 11, 2015

Ofra, a single mother of four living in one of Israel’s struggling development towns in the south, finally has a smile on her face. With a new job and a refurbished apartment, she is breaking out of the cycle of poverty which has plagued her since leaving her abusive husband.

“I owe so much to Meir Panim,” shares Ofra. “Their generous help saved my family.”

Ofra is one of the estimated 1.65 million Israelis who struggle to make ends meet while living und

 

er the poverty line. Living in an apartment subsidized by the state of Israel for people in need of government assistance, her situation was dire. Meir Panim became aware of her plight when she came to their free restaurant-style soup kitchen.

“It is embarrassing to ask for food,” notes Ofra. “With Meir Panim’s sensitivity, when I came to them for food, they had me stand in line with caretakers who pick up food for people like homebound holocaust survivors. In that way, I looked like a caretaker rather than a person struggling to feed my family.”

“Seeing a mother with several young children asking for food implies that a family needs more than just a meal,” shared Goldie Sternbuch, Director of Overseas Relations for Meir Panim . “We asked Nissim, who runs our southern branch, to visit Ofra’s apartment to better assess her needs.”

Meir Panim’s southern branch serves some of the most impoverished communities in Israel, including the towns of Dimona and Yerucham where Meir Panim’s services are in great demand.

What was found in Ofra’s home would break even the toughest of hearts. The refrigerator was bare. The walls and bathroom were mold infested, even with Ofra’s attempts to keep the place clean and orderly. Worst of all, gas canisters were next to and attached to the stove, which could have caused an explosion.

Meir Panim sent in a team of volunteers to help this struggling family. “First, we rewired the gas hoses so that the canisters were outside of the apartment. Then, we patched the apartment walls, got rid of the mold and gave it a fresh coat of paint,” explained Sternbuch.

“We have a holistic approach to poverty,” continued Sternbuch. “Though providing food is essential, we understand that lack of food can be a symptom of many more challenges. We strive to do our utmost to provide hurting people with what they need to get a smile returned to their faces.”

Sternbuch recently visited Ofra to check how she and her children were doing. She was happy to see that they have a new lease on life. Ofra’s apartment is much more presentable, providing a more positive atmosphere, and she recently started a part time job.

“Before Meir Panim’s help, I couldn’t even tell my children that I had food to give them to relieve their hunger pains. Recently my daughter asked me for a doll, a ‘luxury’ I was never able to provide. What a relief to all of us that I could give her such a treat!” Ofra said enthusiastically.

Meir Panim’s assistance with dignity gave her family the ability to not only feel better about their current condition, but also hope for a brighter future.

 

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