"Kav-Or" Distance Learning and virtual playground for Children in Hospitals , a registered public association (NGO), first began operating in 1993 at the "Kaplan" Hospital in the city of Rehovot and at the "Sha'arei Zedek" Hospital in Jerusalem . "Kav-Or" initially operated from within the framework of educational initiatives taken by the David Yellin College of Education in Jerusalem . In 1997 the initiative became an independent registered association, with a Board of Directors of its own, and its goals were redefined. The Association center is, to this day, located at the College, which continues to provide it with great assistance.

The Association's goals are to provide distance-learning services, virtual playground, enrichment, and online computer connections between sick children and teachers, education professionals, family and friends, as well as to offer activities aimed at reducing stress and anxiety.

"Kav-Or" works with a large number of volunteers and benefits from an Association of Friends.

"Kav-Or" brings light to hospitalized children. Every year, more than 120,000 children are hospitalized in Israel , and an additional 20,000 are treated daily as outpatients (in departments for dialysis, oncology etc.). Today , "Kav-Or" operations have grown and include over 27 hospitals and 100 children's departments, from Eilat in the south to Nahariya and Safed in the north.

Hospitalization involves fears and pains but today, thanks to "Kav-Or", children in hospitals can find some comfort in their computer "friend". Using a computer helps children put their anxieties aside and channel their energies into learning and into fulfilling creative activities.

In these difficult times children victims of terror who, as trauma victims, may require psychiatric treatment as well as medical treatment are among those receiving our assistance . "Kav-Or" offers its services to hospitalized children from all sectors of Israeli society - native and new immigrant alike, whether religious or secular, Jewish or not - many of which are from less privileged populations. Programs and website links are available in Arabic, English and Russian, as well as in Hebrew.

"Kav-Or" students communicate with other hospitalized and ill children from around the world.

"Kav-Or" operates in collaboration with the Ministry of Education schools in hospitals and with other organizations that provide assistance to children.

The program is accredited by the Department of Education and Culture and is highly appreciated.

"Kav-Or" computers have an easy to operate, user-friendly menu that offers options, in numerous fields of knowledge and various types of software programs, for different age groups.

The menus and applications are frequently updated to meet hospital needs and to keep up with innovations in the fields of computer hardware and software. In addition to the variety of specialized software available from the "Kav-Or" menu, hospitalized children have the possibility of maintaining online communication via Internet with educators from the College and from other institutions.

"Kav-Or" trains teachers and medical staff, as well as numerous volunteers, in operating the software programs. These teams instruct the children and encourage them to use the programs. Children also have the possibility of maintaining online contact with individual counselors from the "Kav-Or" center who are geared to the needs of the hospitalized children.