Last Thursday, EMTs fulfilled the dream of an elderly bedridden woman by bringing her to visit the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee).
The woman, a participant in United Hatzalah’s Ten Kavod project, which aims to monitor health and combat loneliness among the elderly, had been confined to her house for the past three years due to her challenging medical condition. Just a week ago, during a visit from a Ten Kavod volunteer, she shared her deep desire to visit the Kinneret. The volunteer informed the regional coordinator of the project, conveying the woman’s heartfelt wish. The project coordinator passed the request up the chain of command within the organization, and without delay, it was decided to make this woman’s dream come true.
After meticulously arranging the logistics of the operation, involving an ambulance team and United Hatzalah’s emergency rescue boat on the Kinneret, and obtaining medical clearance from the woman’s physician, the eagerly awaited day arrived. The team, comprised of the woman’s relatives, Ten Kavod volunteers, the ambulance team, and esteemed guests, gathered at the woman’s house to fulfill her long-awaited dream.
Their journey began with a visit to a local restaurant, followed by a tour of the city. Along the way, they made a stop at the tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes. The medical team then brought the woman to the Kinneret, where she had the opportunity to enjoy a ride on the organization’s emergency rescue boat, allowing her to experience the joy of sailing on the Kinneret.
Dignitaries attending the event included Ya’akov Margi, the Minister of Welfare and Social Affairs; Mr. Boaz Yosef, the Mayor of Tiberias; Eli Pollack, CEO of United Hatzalah; Lazer Heyman, Vice President of Volunteers and Operations; and Yossi Oknin, head of the Tiberias branch of the organization.
About the Ten Kavod Project:
Established in 2012, the Ten Kavod program, meaning “Showing Respect” in English, aims to prevent the decline of physical and mental health among the senior population, regardless of their religious affiliation, race, or gender. The project strives to address the all-too-common situations encountered by United Hatzalah volunteers, where impoverished and lonely senior citizens struggle with deteriorating health conditions, sometimes reaching a critical stage before assistance can be provided. By actively monitoring the health and combatting loneliness among the elderly, the project works to intervene and provide necessary support before their conditions worsen.
