In a survey conducted in 2013 among Ethiopian-Israeli young adults, La’Ofek learned that 90% shared a dream: to become nurses so that they could provide care for people. What was preventing them from fulfilling their dreams?

• The psychometric exam. Ethiopians generally score 20- 30% less than their Israeli peers on the psychometric.
• Financial constraints. Fully half of the Ethiopian community lives under the poverty line.

Achotenu convinced the Hebrew University’s Henrietta Szold School of Nursing to accept students under specially developed alternative criteria. Not only was Achotenu able to present qualified students in spite of bypassing the psychometric exam, but with its comprehensive wrap-around services has scarcely suffered a drop-out rate.

Achotenu expanded its program in the 2021-2022 academic year to include a track in Occupational Therapy under the auspices of the Faculty of Medicine at Hebrew University. A pilot program accepted the first students for its five-year academic track. Thanks to the success of the first cohort, Achotenu’s OT program is open to accept more students. In terms of employment possibilities, experts believe that the fall-out repercussions of the pandemic will result in a greater need for para-professionals.  As such, employment opportunities will be plentiful for Achotenu graduates.