The Hadar School was established in 2000 to provide education and care for children with special needs in the Gaza area. The school welcomes children with autism and other complex physical, emotional, intellectual and cognitive disabilities. Students learn core subjects and receive specialized therapies (speech, physio, occupational and music/art therapy). Hadar’s vision is that every child realizes their right to education in a way that suits their unique abilities and potential.
Hadar’s services also have an exponential effect on family well-being: It alleviates the burden on parents as primary caregivers, meaning they can maintain a regular income, support other family members’ needs, and take time to rest and restore.
The Hadar School Expansion
The Hadar School operates 5 days a week, including through emergency times and lockdowns. It currently serves 38 students with school, 3 meals a day and before- and after-school care. The waitlist for Hadar is long and continues to grow. There is an obvious urgent need to increase the school’s capacity as well as amenities to provide much-needed services. The new school complex will accommodate 80 students, with 10 classrooms, each with a smartboard, computers and tablets, relaxation area, and bathroom. Every 2 classrooms will share a small rocket-proof outdoor yard. The school will also expand its common areas with a larger greenhouse and garden, multi-sensory room, life skills apartment, VR room for sensory therapy, science and robotics room, library and bicycle track that runs around the school.
Kitchen - since children with autism are picky eaters, Hadar has a team of professionals that help each child cope with their eating difficulties. This is extremely important for life as an independent adult and is a huge relief for parents who can then offer a wider range of meals to their family. All students also receive 3 meals a day, prepared in this kitchen.
Location: Hadar School is in Sderot, 2km from the Gaza border. Children in Sderot regularly experience rocket attacks and security threats. More than 80% of Sderot’s children suffer from PTSD.