Ofanim - Promoting Children from Israel’s Remote Localities

Ofanim was established in 2004 in order to promote the empowerment and advancement of children living in localities located in Israel’s geographic and social periphery.

Ofanim runs educational enrichment programs for hundreds of children living in outlying localities and welfare afterschool programs in Israel’s northern and southern regions.

Our Secret - We Reinvented the Bus

Ofanim has an original and effective means of reaching the children in remote areas- buses that have been retrofitted into mobile study labs.

Through its eight labs, Ofanim exposes the children to new worlds of content that have an impact on their futures. Among the fields studied: science, computers, robotics, art and engineering. In addition, discovery and empowerment days are offered at institutions of higher education, science museums and visitor centers.

We Don’t Stop for a Minute

 22 regional councils are partners to our program  123 sessions each week  1,200 children in weekly afternoon activity.  1,500 children in the morning activities at school sites

We Can Reach Any Location

You can find Ofanim’s mobile labs in:

In the southern region: The Merhavim, Shafir, Bnei Shimon, Sdot Negev, and Abu Basama Regional Councils, and the cities of Dimona, Beer Sheba, and Kiryat Gat.

In the northern region: The Gilboa, Megiddo, Misgav, Emek Hamaayanot Regional Councils and the cities of Migdal Ha’emek, Acco, Hedera, Pardes Haana and Afula.

Ofanim and the Arab community

Ofanim works also in weaker sectors of the Arab community, in particular on the Bedouin dispersed in the South, where basic infrastructure is lacking. Ofanim has entered into agreements with local municipalities and provides services to over 300 children from the Arab community every year.

Together We are More Successful

Ofanim believes in bringing the best to the children: A professional instruction team, consisting of 45 university students with a social orientation and with excellent qualifications.

Cooperative efforts with Israel’s leading institutions:

 The Technion Science and Technology Youth Activity Unit - A unique robotics program.  The Beer Sheba Municipality’s Education Department, a morning science program for the city’s children.  Ort Brauda College and SCE - The Shamoon Academic College of Engineering- A science camp during the summer vacation.  The Ilan Ramon Center at Ben Gurion University, a science leadership program in the fields of astronomy.  Applied Materials, a science program for elementary school students.

Recognition of our Work

 Awarded the “Midot Seal of Effectiveness” - for very effective work - by the MIDOT Company, following an in-depth evaluation of the level of the organization’s effectiveness on various indices such as planning, performance, learning and measurement, leadership and finances -2011.  Awarded the “Welfare and Social Services Minister’s Shield for Outstanding Organizations and Volunteers” - 2009.

We are asking you to join us, to be an active participant in the exciting and evolving project and to help bridge the educational gap for Israel young generation.