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National Service at
SASA Setton

  • Meaningful National Service

Meaningful National Service

National Service at SASA Setton is a unique experience unlike any other in Israel, as this is the only organization that operates formal educational centers within hospitals. For the volunteers, it is a period of true purpose that leaves a deep mark on them, in which they get to touch the hearts of hospitalized children from across the full spectrum of Israeli society. They become an inseparable part of the educational network in the hospitals and are an influential, central factor in the recovery and return to routine of thousands of children.

 

In their role, the volunteers serve as a "big sister" figure: a young, attentive, and caring human presence that brings moments of freshness to the wards. They are there for the children in the most challenging moments, offering creative activities, thinking games, and innovative technologies, and turning every moment of play into a meaningful experience of hope. Their presence often manages to change the atmosphere in the room and strengthen the resilience of children and families alike.

SASA Setton's National Service volunteers

The volunteers are the beating heart of the educational work in the wards, acting out of a deep sense of meaning and a shared experience of giving. They are part of a supportive, embracing community made up of fellow volunteers and professional teams, and they form deep human connections that give children an anchor of stability within medical uncertainty. For the children and their parents, the daily encounter with them is a moment of "light and joy" that lets them feel at home, even during hospitalization.

 

To enable them to fulfill their role in the best possible way, the organization provides the volunteers with a comprehensive framework of support and guidance, including ongoing pedagogical training, personal mentoring, and the option of housing. The professional trainings give them tools for working with children in times of crisis, hands-on experience with advanced learning technologies, and the development of instructional skills. This year opens the door to exceptional personal growth, in which they discover their inner strengths and acquire important tools for life such as leadership, empathy, and creative thinking.

 

In the volunteers' own words

Schneider educational center

When I started my service, I never imagined how meaningful and strengthened I would become. Every day I meet children who face difficulties and respond with tremendous strength. The small smile we manage to bring to their faces reminds me why I am here. I have learned to appreciate, to listen, to take initiative, and to find new ways to empower and strengthen them — but in the end, it strengthens me too.

ALYN educational center

There are small moments you never forget. A child who smiles after a hard day, a parent who says thank you, or a team that tells you how much an activity changed the atmosphere in the ward. These are the moments that remind me I chose the right place, and that our actions have a big impact.

HaEmek educational center

Naama Breitbard, HaEmek educational center: When I came to my service, I was looking for a meaningful place. I found far more than that: a team that believes in me, people who accompany me along the way, and work that gives me a real sense of fulfillment. I finish each day feeling that I did something important.

Meir educational center

I think the thing that stays with me most is the bonds that form with the children. Sometimes a single visit is enough, and sometimes it's a connection that lasts over time. Seeing a child waiting for an activity or calling me by name reminds me why I chose this service in the first place.

 

Soroka educational center

Oriah Cohen, Soroka educational center: What's most special about this service is that no two days are alike. Every day I meet new children and new challenges. That variety makes the role interesting, but above all it gives the feeling that every day is a new chance to do good for someone.

Frequently asked questions

Information to Help You Get Oriented

 A SASA Setton volunteer meets a changing, meaning-filled reality every day: she delivers experiential learning activities to hospitalized children, helps them maintain a learning routine even during hospitalization, and plans creative initiatives such as holiday events and special theme days that bring light and joy to the wards. Alongside this, she is there for the children on a personal level — playing, listening, accompanying, and creating for them moments of normalcy within a challenging time. The work is done together with the educational team and requires flexibility, sensitivity, and initiative.

Nationwide coverage: Ziv, Galilee Medical Center, Poriya, HaEmek, Rambam, Hillel Yaffe, Laniado, Loewenstein, Meir, Schneider, Sheba, Ichilov, Wolfson, Assuta, Kaplan, Barzilai, Soroka, Shaare Zedek, Hadassah Ein Kerem, Hadassah Mount Scopus, and ALYN.

 

Each center has its own character and rhythm, and the choice depends mainly on what is right for you. The main differences:

the nature of the wards (emergency medicine and classic pediatric wards versus long-term rehabilitation or psychiatric wards), the size of the hospital (dozens of children a day at a large center versus more intimate work at smaller ones), and location and lifestyle (close to or far from home, including the option of living in a service apartment).

 

 

You can contact Gili, SASA Setton's National Service coordinator: gili@sasasetton.org.il, or leave your details at this link: forms.gle/ZcC3uUdTC1cSXLwN7

 

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