What It’s About
Tenufa Bakehila, meaning Building Hope, has been dedicated for over three decades to executing vital home repairs for the most vulnerable families across Israel. Amid escalating wartime challenges, this effort has extended to include not just homes but also life-saving bomb shelters.
Why It Matters
In a landscape where housing poverty significantly impacts health and dignity, and where wartime demands amplify the need for safety, having safe and secure living spaces is critical. Millions rely on organizations like Tenufa Bakehila to uplift them at crucial times and restore elements of everyday life that most take for granted.
The Bigger Picture
This organization holds its place as Israel’s sole large-scale non-profit addressing extensive home repairs for deprived households. They’ve transformed the lives of over 8,000 households, providing a humane and safe environment. As single parents, children with special needs, people with disabilities, immigrants, the elderly, and Holocaust survivors are given hope, Tenufa is at the forefront, making meaningful contributions to higher living standards.
Adapting to Wartime Needs
Tenufa Bakehila’s current focus includes repairing bomb shelters for protection. During wartime, these bomb shelters, which are crucial for survival, require repairs to be fully functional. Residents in poor areas found their building shelters flooded or electrically unsafe. Although public shelters are maintained financially by the Israeli government, shelters in private buildings lack resident resources prompting Tenufa’s intervention.
Concrete Impact and Future Prospects
The organization has uniquely completed over 500 repairs of bomb shelters, sealing walls, installing emergency lights and upgrading ventilation systems. Over 5,000 families have since gained access to protective environments. This work has been recognized by significant parties, including the office of the President of Israel, underscoring Tenufa’s significant relief contribution amid adversity.
By the Numbers
- More than 8,000 families reside in renovated homes, benefitting at no cost.
- 500 bomb shelters restored, supporting 5,000 families under threat of missile attacks.
- 30 years of pioneering community improvement projects.
- Operational reach across 20 cities throughout Israel.
- 11 dedicated professional teams strategically placed nationwide.
- An average home repair costs ₪7,400, while restoring a bomb shelter averages ₪7,000.
Tenufa Bakehila remains unparalleled, filling gaps left by other welfare programs, and continually steps forward to ensure families across Israel live with security and dignity, vital for both wartime resilience and peacetime wellness.
This story was first published on jpost.com.