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The Tutees
The children who benefit from PERACH are from underprivileged backgrounds countrywide, primarily from elementary and junior high schools, with a growing percentage of high school pupils and university students with special needs.
Many of the children come from a low socio-economic background, whose parents are unable to give them the individual attention they need. Approximately 20% of PERACH children are immigrants, predominantly from Ethiopia and the Caucasus of the former Soviet Union, following the waves of immigration of the nineties. A similar percentage of the children are from the Arab and Druze sectors.
PERACH also assists children with special needs, such as those whose parents are in jail, and is active among children with various disabilities: deaf and blind children, those suffering from chronic or incurable diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, as well as children in need of special education.
The aim is to cater to children and youth who are in need of individual attention and care in order to realize their potential—regardless of their background or circumstances.
The Tutor/Mentors
Students in Israel’s institutes of higher education receive a partial scholarship in return for their participation in the project, to help cover the high tuition fees. Some are required to participate in PERACH as part of their study framework: students of psychology, special education, teachers’ training and other caring professions participate in tutoring and mentoring activities as part of their curriculum.
A significant percentage of PERACH’s mentors are university students from minority groups. There is a great demand for PERACH’s involvement in the Arab and Druze communities, as in many cases this is the only organization to provide extra-curricular educational activity in these sectors.
PERACH is particularly active in the periphery as the children of these regions are in greater need of such services, and students from these areas are more likely to require financial aid to cover tuition fees.
University students are encouraged to participate in PERACH regardless of their field of study. Participation in PERACH helps to strengthen student ties with the community, giving a sense of accomplishment and contribution to society. |
