Desert Trek for Alyn – Hiking with a Purpose

Hiking is pretty much always a good thing.  It’s good for your body and for your soul.  Wandering through nature is great for togetherness. And it’s also well-suited to quiet solitude.

But it’s rare to actually be able to help children in need while hiking.

This February, I’ll be heading out on a three-day desert hiking adventure to raise money for Alyn Hospital – Israel’s only rehabilitation hospital for children.

There’s no doubt that the hike itself will be incredible. Trekking over 60 kilometers in the desert mountains around Eilat is a hiking enthusiast’s heaven. 

At night, we’ll be camping out in the middle of the desert.  We’ll wake up to the sounds of nature, strap on our backpacks, and climb through more beautiful scenery.  Sounds like a dream.

Alyn Heels of Love
Cozy at the campsite.

But what I’m most looking forward to about Heels of Love is the chance to put hiking to a purpose – and to help raise $100,000 for the hospital. That’s because Alyn is not only a much-needed facility.  It’s also an incredible facility. 

Alyn helps children. All kinds of them.

At Alyn, kids are given the tools to develop skills that help them re-integrate into society after trauma or congenital illness.  And it happens in an organized, aesthetically pleasing place that’s full of positivity energy.

This past week, I took my eleven-year old daughter with me on a tour of Alyn hospital.  We met the staff of therapists, nurses, doctors, and even clowns.  We were wowed by the state-of the-art facility where the magic happens.  And we got to know some of Alyn’s children and their families.

Animal Therapy at Alyn
Animal therapy at Alyn.

Babies are the VIPs

We were greeted by Alayne, a warm and friendly woman who lives in Ma’ale Adumim, formerly from South Africa.  Alayne took us on a complete tour of the facility.  First stop, babies.

At Alyn, there’s a special unit for babies.  As opposed to a normal hospital, babies never have to go anywhere for therapy at Alyn – it’s given right there in the unit, between nap times.

The room was filled with adults – therapists, nurses, parents – at least three grown-ups for every little person there.  One team was working on feeding an infant, something most of us probably take for granted.  Another group was on the floor, working on motor skills.

From here, Alayne took us to the family hangout area, a large space full of toys.  Parents and children were passing time in between therapy sessions, with games of memory and art projects.

A Facility Like No Other

Alayne explained that while some therapies are covered by the government, many are not.  And having a live-in facility like Alyn allows children to receive therapy every day (not just whenever they’re able to get to it). This speeds up recovery.

We continued from one wing of the hospital to the next. We got to see the pool (Alayne told us that every child uses the pool, essential for improving physical ability), the gym, the garden center, and the outpatient facility.

Alyn hospital
Working in the garden.

Next we moved onto Shahar – Alyn’s school.  Oftentimes, kids spend months or even years hospitalized at Alyn.  Continuing with regular schooling is an essential part of making sure the kids stay on track. 

In the classrooms, some teachers were sitting next to children who couldn’t get out of bed, working on math problems while lying down.  Outside in the hallway we passed by the nurses station, there to address the kids’ medical needs while they studied. But the cutest part of Shahar was the outdoor animal center with fluffy white bunnies – all the kids are given animal care jobs to help build feelings of independence and responsibility.

Specialized Care for Each Child

From here, we continued on to the laboratory, where a team of technicians work together to create solutions for kids’ individual needs.  They create specialized prostheses, communication devices, and wheelchairs tailor made for each child.

My daughter thought the lab was absolutely incredible. At Alyn, they literally build new technology so children can continue with their lives.

Alyn hospital
What kid doesn’t like to swim?

As we finished up the tour, we passed by two teenage boys chatting it up as they walked down the hall on crutches. It touched me to think that these adorable boys had a home at Alyn – a place where they could learn, make friends, and do regular things like regular kids.

Many of these children had been living completely normal lives before being affected by an illness or injury that thrust them into an alternate reality.  Alyn was a place where they could find some happiness while healing.

After the tour, we went to the offices to hear all about the hike.

Motivated

Back at the office, I met with Tal Naveh, who filled me in on the details of the fundraiser.  Tal is passionate about the desert – he became totally animated as he described the hike to me – the challenging ascents, the incredible vistas, and the talks around the campfire at the end of the day. 

After listening to Tal, I’m even more excited for this hike. According to him, the area around Eilat is the most beautiful desert in Israel. Going on a thru hike is the best way to see the most amazing parts of this landscape.

Now that we’ve visited Alyn and seen what an essential need they fill for our children, I am eager to be a part of this really special hike and fundraiser. 

Go on the hike yourself (recommended!) or take a couple of minutes to contribute to the cause online. Each and every donation makes a difference.

If you’ve enjoyed this site and our free hike tips, please consider giving back by making a donation to Alyn!

Follow the links below to get involved.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEELS OF LOVE!
SIGN UP FOR HEELS OF LOVE 2020

DONATE NOW

SPONSOR HIKING THE HOLYLAND’S FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR ALYN

Alyn Heels of Love
In the desert mountains on Heels of Love 2019.

Hiking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each hiker’s responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.

8 thoughts on “Desert Trek for Alyn – Hiking with a Purpose

  1. Kol hakavod!! The picture of the boy feeding the hamster is my nephew. He spent 4 months living at alyn after brain surgery for a malignant brain tumor left him unable to do even the most basic movements. Alyn was truly amazing and continus to be as my nephew still gets therapy through their outpatient clinics.

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