Hurfish Children’s Village
The Hurfesh Children’s Village, was established in 1988 to provide an educational and rehabilitative framework for Druze children at risk, who were removed from their homes and the custody of their parents by court order.
Operated and managed by Hamifal, the Hurfesh Children’s Village is catered to the Druze community and today, is home to 84 children aged 3-18 who live across 7 family units. Hurfesh Children’s Village is the first Children’s Home for the Druze population in Israel and the world. Hamifal, the Israeli Ministry of Education and Culture and the local Council of Hurfesh cooperated to envision, finance and establish the Village. It is located in the Northern Galilee in a densely populated area of Druze residents.
The Hamifal Educational Family Model
All of Hamifal’s Children’s Villages and Family Group Homes work under the Family Group Model . Established by Hamifal, the Family Group Model comprises of a framework whereby couples foster 12 children in a family unit commonly known as the “Mishpachton”.
Each family unit homes 12 children (boys and girls) who live together with a Druze couple that serves as their foster parents. The parents and their biological children live in adjacent living quarters. However, there is central joint area including a living room, study room and kitchen shared by the entire family.
The Family Group Model enables us to a deliver tailor made care
to each child, provide stability, a nurturing environment, safe and warm home. We believe that the Hamifal model assists in maximizing a child’s potential, promote independence and present a safe and warm home.
Hurfesh Children’s Village
The Hurfesh Children’s Village is the only Children’s Village in Israel of its kind. It has a full team of staff including live in: Village Director, Therapeutic Team, Educational Team and Maintenance Team who throughout the rehabilitation plans also maintain and instill Druze heritage and values.
Our mission is to rehabilitate children at-risk by providing them with a nurturing and loving home within a family unit structure. We view our model as an ideal substitute framework from their biological homes that were posing a threat/danger to their lives. Furthermore, that our model presents vital characteristics for the healthy development of any child.
Activities
Hamifal encourage educational and extra-curricular support as we see the direct result they have in boosting a child’s confidence, promoting empowerment and independence. Hurfesh Children’s Village includes the following:
- Extra Tutorial Lessons – given by special teachers during the afternoons.
- Art Therapy – Non-verbal therapy is used to help children to express their emotions.
- A Library – which includes a rich variety of literature and a computer lab. .
- Recreational Classes – take place both within the Village and in the Community Center.
- Sport Activities – the village emphasizes on participating in sports activities. most of the children are involved in professional sport activities such as running and football team
- Children’s Council – Elected by democratic process. The council initiates and carries our social activities, participates in making and implementing decisions concerning the Home.
- Individual Coaching – In addition to the educational staff, university students conduct extracurricular, social enriching activities, and volunteers give them warm personal care and attention.
- Summer Camps Activities – fun activities provided during the summer for children who cannot return to their homes.
For further information on the Hurfish or any of Hamifal’s frameworks please get in touch with the Fundraising department [email protected]