Day care initiative for health care workers during lockdown begins again
Under the operation "Lev Poem," at least 30 day camps, staffed by 500 volunteers, have been set up at hospitals throughout the country.
By CELIA JEANLev Poem daycare initiative for children of healthcare staff working during the coronavirus pandemic(photo credit: HANOAR HAOVED VEHALOMED)
As coronavirus infection rates remain high, medical workers are now busier than ever while, at the same time, the second nationwide lockdown has left them with little or no childcare for their children. In light of this, caregivers and daycare workers have come together once again to voluntarily provide daycare for essential healthcare workers, just as they did during the first lockdown.At the request of the ministry of health and higher education, the educational movements spring into action: Dror Israel along with graduates of Machanot HaOlim, graduates of HaShomer HaTsair and the Tarbut movement have provided hundreds of counselors and coordinators to enable the day camps to open quickly.
Under operation "Lev Poem," meaning beating heart, and by request of the Health and Higher Education ministries, at least 30 day camps staffed by 500 volunteers have been set up at hospitals throughout the country.
After success during the first lockdown – including winning the Presidential Award for Volunteerism – the initiative decided to come together again in order to relieve the burden from the health care system and help it operate more smoothly. Lev Poem daycare intiative for children of healthcare staff working during the coronavirus pandemic. (HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed)
The initiative is intended for the children of essential workers in hospitals and health care clinics, and workers in special education settings.
"The Higher Education Ministry has taken on a national mission – to enable health care workers to do their job at the forefront of the struggle against the coronavirus. We are accompanying many hundreds of workers and young volunteers from the education sector and other organizations every day, who continually lead educational activities in centers throughout the country," said Hagai Gross, Director of the Social and Youth Administration. Lev Poem daycare initiative for children of healthcare staff working during the coronavirus pandemic. (HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed)
The day care centers have been running from 7a.m. to 4p.m., for children aged 3 to 12, at over 30 locations throughout the country. Currently, there are around 500 volunteers and more are expected to join.
In order to ensure Health Ministry guidelines are followed, and for the safety of the children and staff involved, capsules are set up, each of which can house eight children and two caregivers who all wear masks and maintain social distance.
