- Israel

PACT Helps New Ethiopian Immigrants Obtain Social Services

As Orli, a PACT, Parents and Children Together, family counselor, first knocked at the door, Tagai and Molla were reluctant to admit her to their home. Knowing that the family would be in need of support, as a professional and an Ethiopian-Israeli herself, she urged them to hear her out. PACT, a JDC run program working towards equipping Ethiopian Israeli immigrants with the tools to succeed. With programs focused on strengthening community promoting family and encouraging professional empowerment. When Orli entered the apartment and saw the face of five year old Doron, she knew that this family was in need of help.

It was 8:00 am – time for the children to leave for school. With a tight feeling in the pit of her stomach, Tagai (an Ethiopian-Israeli mother of five) opens the old refrigerator and views the contents. Three cucumbers. How could she prepare lunch for four children out of three cucumbers? True, the three older ones were used to going to school without food. But what about Doron? As if on cue, Doron, walks into the kitchen, dressed, and ready for kindergarten. He does not say anything, but looks up at his mother with hopeful eyes. She reads the unspoken question instantly - can he have a sandwich to eat at lunch like everyone else? Tagai chokes back her tears and replies, "Not today. Maybe tomorrow, Doron."

Once all the children leave, Tagai walks into her baby’s room to take care of her. Little Shir was wet and crying. Tagai looks at the dwindling pile of diapers in the corner of the bare room, what was left of the package a neighbor had given to her. Diapers were simply not in Tagai’s family budget. Once these were gone, what would she do? As she tends to Shir, Tagai wonders if she and her husband would ever be able to provide for the children. She was busy at home, taking care of the family, and her husband, Molla was over age 60. Tagai knew his chances of finding employment were nil. As she has done in the past, Tagai considers calling the municipal welfare department to ask for help, but she dismisses the thought quickly. It is simply not done in Ethiopian circles. One must never complain.

Tagai and Molla moved to Netanya with their five children only a few months ago. When they first moved to Israel two years ago, they lived in a state-sponsored absorption center. Like many Ethiopian immigrant families, they were warmly welcomed by the staff of the absorption center, and found that many of their family’s needs were taken care of. Their flat was not lavish, but it had all the furniture they needed. The couple did not have to travel to municipal or state offices, since government representatives came to the center. Thus, when it was time for the family to move out and build an independent life, the change was overwhelming. Suddenly, they had to furnish their home and pay their utility bills, and yet they did not have the means to do so. For the first time, Molla and Tagai had to navigate around a major city, a daunting task for the couple. They neglected fundamental errands, such as going to the bank, from sheer confusion.

Orli was left wondering, how was it that they were not registered with the city’s welfare department? Silently, she answered her own question, an Ethiopian-Israeli family would never ask for help. This would have to change. "Come," Orli said in her most convincing voice, "We are going to the social services office today." The couple demurred, but Orli did not take "no" for an answer. She escorted them to the municipal welfare center and introduced them to the clerk in charge. The office was intimidating to the two and there was a multitude of forms to be filled out, but Orli made the entire process as smooth as possible. When the first package of kitchen staples arrived at the door a few days later, Tagai almost cried with relief. Perhaps, she said to herself, they would find a way to support themselves after all.