Recently 10 mothers and 16 children form "Mazl Tov" program, among whom were unfull families, mothers having many children and poor families, went to "Nauriz" sanatorium that is situated not far from Almaty.

   There during five days they could have a rest and improve their health. Representatives of Hesed "Polina" and "Rimon" Jewish community center had been working with the families for the whole period that they spent in sanatorium.

  Children walked a lot, played outdoors with great pleasure, draw with colored chocks on the asphalt, gathered natural materials for creative works. After a walk there was traditionally held an hour of children's creative work. Then the children together with their mothers drew with great inspiration, made applique works, cards, crafts of natural materials. Families felt especial delight at the sight of works by Ramina Kemaikina and her mother.

   On the third day of the rest Hesed "Polina" workers organized an evening devoted to coming Chanukah holiday. The Tkachenko family from Burunday village made a Hanukiah with candles of colored cardboard. That Chanukiah served children as a model on which children were taught the right way to lit up Chanukah candles.

   During the whole week there were held lectures on Torah for mothers as well as discussions with psychologist. Both children and adults remembered a meeting with Evgeniya Karyakina, a director of the Jewish Republican library, who held a conversation on the subject "Torah in children's drawings".

  After supper families gathered for discussions, participation in games and contests. And before sleep they listened to Jewish fairy tales with great pleasure.

  5 days passed as fast as one minute, nobody wanted to go back. Within that short period of time a small group of people became a big single friendly family.

   The trip was organized due to the JDC support.

Olga Drobnohod