Twenty-five children and young people who survived kidnapping by the terrorists from Hamas in the tunnels under Gaza, or whose parents are still held hostage by Hamas, were gifted a 10-day ski vacation in Bulgaria’s winter resort of Bansko by the charity organization Come Back Alive, Iskra and Fenya Dekalo report for the BNR from Israel.

“The children were singing even on the plane, giving each other courage because it was their first time flying,” Shiera Yabets, a volunteer, said. “For most of them it was the first time they were seeing snow, there were so many things they had to learn, including that snow is not sugar and shouldn’t be eaten” she said.  

With the help of professional instructors, some of the children were taught to ski and snowboard, others, who came back wounded simply enjoyed the snow. They also went horse-riding, swam in the hotel’s warm pool and enjoyed themselves on zip lines.

“In the evening they all watched TV to see the course of the war and the hostage exchanges. In their beds they cried but woke up with a smile on their faces as they saw the beauty of Mount Pirin,” Shiera Yabets said.