A remedial community set against the backdrop of the Negev Desert in southern Israel, Kfar Rafael is a center committed to helping those with special needs to live independent and significant lives. In the words of one handicapped resident, called ìBig Odedî as he is the oldest villager at 70 years old, he describes the progression of the villageís conception in 1979 until now: ì20 years ago, Kfar Rafael was a desert; now, it is an oasis.î In Kfar Rafael, instead of being simply caretakers for the mentally and physically handicapped villagers, foster families and volunteers enable the villagers to lead full and fulfilling lives in which they provide service and food for their community as well as beautiful products sold abroad.
Living Bread plays a part in this, selling bottles of Precious Anointing Olive Oil for the village and providing work and funds for the village itself. This oil, handpicked from the villageís own olive trees by the handicapped villagers, is a tribute to the dedication and cheerful work that comes from the handicapped, despite their many disabilities that elsewhere have caused them to be rejected and forsaken. The oil goes through a long process, every aspect produced by the handicapped villagers. The oil is then bought by Living Bread International Church, which sells the product and gives all of the proceeds from the oil back to the village to provide funding for renovations, more workshops, and employment. Presently, there is a campaign on International TV to sell the oil and some of the funding will be designated to purchase fuel to bring in cargo for the Palestinian poor.
Kfar Rafael also has other numerous workshops in which the villagers can contribute to their community, boosting self-worth and independence as well as providing service and products. Some of these workshops are the bakery, the food-processing workshop, workshops for weaving beautiful rugs and tapestries, silk products, candles, and more. In the evenings they also have cultural activities such as drawing, writing, folk dancing, sports, music and art. In the words of Gal Levi, one of the top staff at Kfar Rafael, speaking of the fact that there is no television in any of the homes, instead producing their own art, plays and music: ìWe donít consume culture. We create it.î One can see the appreciation that the villagers feel and we know that the hand of God is so merciful and full of abundant love for these special ones.
| Precious Anointing Olive Oil |