Daniel’s Story

In 2004, Daniel was a 5-year-old attending the kindergarten adjacent to Lilach Gan in Sderot. He and his mother were both injured in the same attack on the school as they stood next to the man who was killed. According to the family, the attack completely changed Daniel and he refused to venture far from their tiny apartment. It was the Director of his school who introduced me to this family. She told me that they were in need of food because of their economical situation. We were able to take them food supplies as we had a wonderful visit with them in their home in Sderot. During our conversation, I asked Daniel about things that he liked to do, his hobbies, his favorite foods (his response: French fries with LOTS and LOTS of Ketchup!) After naming basketball and a few other thinks, what he said next nearly knocked me off my seat. He said, “and sometimes at night I like to talk to God!”

I couldn’t wait to go back to visit him. I made sure I had the biggest bottle of ketchup I could find as well as toys, games and clothing…and of course lots of Hugs. Since that time we have had many visits and have developed a good relationship with the entire family.