First Home Update – The Negev through my eyes

Each participant of the “First Home in the Homeland” program sees Israel and the region where their journey begins in their own way. It’s always interesting to see the kibbutz through their eyes — especially through the eyes of a photographer. This is another aliyah story from the Negev Desert.

Mountains in the Negev Desert | Photo: JAFI

Olga, her husband and their daughters came to Israel and joined the “First Home in the Homeland” this August. They were warmly welcomed in kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh in the Negev Desert. This is not just a wonderful place with wild nature but a beautiful desert with its own history and energy. This desert opens its heart only for people with “open soul, mind and eyes”. Olga is one of them.

Olga, Alina, Aleksandr and Kira at Kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh | Photo: JAFI

“We made Aliyah on August 18, 2025.  It was me, my husband, and our two daughters, aged 11 and 2. Our family’s flight — with 13 suitcases and a stroller — was organized perfectly. Everything went so smoothly, “like clockwork.” At the airport, we were guided from the plane to a taxi. While our papers were processed, we got tasty sandwiches and hot drinks. Israel welcomed us very warmly”, Olga shares.

“There is always a volunteer or one of the kibbutz members waiting to welcome them, even late at night”

Families often arrive at the kibbutz late at night, but there is always a volunteer or one of the kibbutz members waiting to welcome them. They accompany the newcomers to their new home, where it’s already warm and cozy, the table is set, and the fridge is stocked with food so they can have a bite after the long journey. It’s very important to us that every family feels they have arrived into a big family and become part of it from the very first moment.

“A comfortable private bus immediately took us to Kibbutz Mashabei Sade. There, despite our late arrival after midnight, we were met by Elena Kovarsky (former director of the program), who showed us our apartment, where everything was ready for our arrival, including made beds and some food in the refrigerator. We’ve settled in over the past two months, and everyone is happy. The kibbutz has a beautiful green area, a shop, a school, a kindergarten, a canteen and a swimming pool that’s open all year round”.

Alina in the grass | Photo: JAFI

The kibbutz is a truly unique place. It’s very small, yet it has everything you need to feel at home. But the most important thing is, of course, not the place itself — it’s the people who live there. The people who get up at night to welcome every family, who accompany participants from the very first phone call until their final Ulpan exam, who sit side by side with our new Olim in the Hebrew class and become lifelong friends.

“We don’t have any close relatives in Israel, but the program organizers welcomed us like family. For people like us, this is the best thing that could happen when making aliyah with a family. We chose this program hoping to make our adaptation to a new place easier, and we weren’t wrong. I can’t even imagine how everything would have turned out if we had to go to a hotel first and then look for a place to live on our own“, – Olga says.

Now Olga, her husband, and their children have gone through the first stages of adaptation. The parents are studying in the Ulpan, and the daughters attend kindergarten and school. Their eldest daughter Kira really likes everything in Israel, especially the climate. She still doesn’t speak Hebrew very well yet, that’s why the focus is currently on language learning. She has a personal tutor in the local school who works with her daily. She was also accepted into a professional swimming section in the kibbutz, so she has training four times a week for two hours each time, and she doesn’t have time to be bored.

Kira in kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh enjoying her life | Photo: JAFI

The youngest Alina is still getting used to kindergarten, but the teachers are trying very hard to help her.

“Hebrew is taught in Hebrew, so that students are immediately immersed in the right environment”

“Recently, she celebrated her first birthday in Israel — she turned three. It was important for us that we weren’t alone at that moment. Our new friends and neighbours came, and we congratulated her in three languages — Russian, Hebrew, and English. It was very touching”, Olga recalls.

Alina’s birthday | Photo: JAFI

Photo: JAFI

Olga and Aleksandr study Hebrew in Ulpan in the neighbouring kibbutz Revivim. They are still at the beginning of their journey, although Olga started learning the language even before their aliyah. They are very happy with their group and teacher. In our program, learning Hebrew happens in a very natural way — Hebrew is taught in Hebrew, so that students are immediately immersed in the right environment.

Olga at the border of the Negev Desert | Photo: JAFI

“The Hebrew teacher doesn’t speak Russian, of course (laughing); she explains the material using a mix of Hebrew and English. My husband doesn’t speak English, so it’s even more difficult for him. But we’re not discouraged, we’re trying our best. The teacher is also doing her best; she’s very nice”.

Olga shared that, as a photographer, she is very inspired by the local nature, landscapes. In their free time, they try to explore the surroundings and travel around the country. Together with their “First Home in the Homeland” group, they’ve already gone on a trip to visit the grave of David Ben-Gurion and to discover the flora and fauna of the Negev.

“I’m inspired by walks on the weekends. With the savings we brought with us, we bought a budget car, and now we can take the children to the sea and to the park…. Happy children – happy us!”

“Happy children – happy us”!

Alina on the beach | Photo: JAFI

It’s very fitting to end this story with these words, because this is exactly what we strive for — to do everything possible to keep the program running and growing. But none of this would be possible without you — our kind-hearted magicians, our friends, our strong support and inspiration. With much love, from the very heart of the Negev — sincerely yours, First Home in the Homeland.

HAPPY CHILDREN -HAPPY US!

Here are some more photos of the Negev Desert taken by Olga: Ein Avdat (Ein Ovdat) National Park, Ben Gurion grave (kibbutz Sde Boker).

Photo: JAFI

Photo: JAFI

Photo: JAFI

Photo: JAFI

Please support the “First Home in the Homeland” Project. Any amount is welcome!
Assisting a family in the “First Home” program costs € 230 euro / US $ 250 a month.

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