The St. Rachel Center in Jerusalem provides a vital lifeline for refugee and migrant families by offering safe and reliable child care. Managed by Sr. Maria David Magbanua under the auspices of the Latin Patriarchate’s Vicariate for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, the center supports parents, like Eritrean refugee Abraham Rada, by caring for their children in a nurturing environment while they work. With a lack of legal status in Israel, many migrants and asylum seekers struggle to find affordable and safe care for their children, often resorting to unregulated and overcrowded nurseries.
The St. Rachel Center caters to 28 younger children in day care and offers afterschool programs for older children. Migrants from countries like Eritrea, Sudan, and the Philippines seek refuge in Israel but face challenges such as limited legal rights, lack of health insurance, and ineligibility for state-subsidized child care. Despite this, the center, along with support from the church and local organizations, provides a safe haven for children from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
One of the center’s main challenges is the long waiting list due to limited staff and space, especially during periods of war or conflict. Volunteers, many of whom are sisters from different congregations, assist in running the center and ensuring the children receive proper care and attention. Additionally, the center collaborates with Israeli organizations like Unitaf in Tel Aviv to improve early childhood education for children of asylum seekers.
For many families, including those of migrants and asylum seekers, the St. Rachel Center is more than just a day care—it offers a sense of stability, safety, and community. Through their efforts, the center helps these vulnerable populations navigate the challenges of life in Israel, supporting them in building a future despite their precarious legal and social standing.