The Shalva Gush Etzion Branch, which serves local children with special needs, held its fifth annual fair. The large gathering was made possible by donations and volunteering, and all income will be dedicated to the Shalva summer camp, which will be taking the kids for eight days of vacation in northern Israel.
All residents of Gush Etzion were invited to participate in the fair. Some of the Shalva children themselves also took part, by preparing, organizing and managing the event. Before the fair, the children created artwork which was sold alongside pieces made by artists from the area and the staff of Shalva. There was also a coffeeshop offering cakes and pastries baked by the women of Gush Etzion.
Shalva Gush Etzion has been operating for almost ten years. The Center was established during the beginning of the Arab terrorist war against Israel around the year 2000, when children refrained from traveling to Jerusalem where the main Shalva branch is located. And so a branch of Shalva was established near their homes - in Gush Etzion.