Cinthia Saig

Last April, students, parents and staff were joined by new partners Harel insurance company at the Darca High School in Kiryat-Malachi to celebrate the inauguration of the Yes I Can! room that was especially designed and built for children with learning disorders and ADHD.

The event was conducted by program director Ms. Niva Kapeliuk, and started with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mr. Yair Hamburger, President of Harel Insurance, Mezuzah placement by Mr. Eliahu Zohar, Mayor of Kiryat Malakhi, and unveiling of the plaque by VP of education at KIAH Dr. Naama Azulay and Ms. Michal Hazan, the school principal.

The room, which was made possible by the generous donation of Harel together with private donors from across the Atlantic, was renovated in such a way that allows individual and group work – it has private cubicles that cater for personal space whilst still allowing teachers to watch over the students, and tables that can be rearranged to create a classroom or even a workshop. It provides the students with a quiet and pleasant place at school, and most importantly – a place that they feel is their own.

Architect Lior Ben Shitrit, included the children in the planning process and adapted it to their needs, desires and interests. In fact, he says he was inspired by the children's computer game "Minecraft", thus creating a design that they can relate to. The unique chairs he created use occupational therapy balls as a base, allowing children to “bounce around” in their own seat while still staying focused. “If you just change your outlook a little you can create a real difference” concluded Ms. Kapeliuk, sending everyone home a little jealous of the children who get to go to school the next day.