Desert Shanti House Youth Village
Established in 2009, our therapeutic-rehabilitation village serves as a home for at-risk youth from across Israel.
Located in the Negev Desert near Sde Boker, the desert landscape and surrounding nature provide a serene space and safe haven for those needing time to disconnect and experience a more intimate, nurturing and healing process. The village offers a wide range of therapeutic centers: equine therapy, an animal sanctuary, hydrotherapy, rehabilitative agriculture, and creative workshops like carpentry, sewing, and more. The village holds national significance in developing the Negev region and provides therapeutic support to children from the Negev and southern communities.
The village was founded thanks to the late Shmuel Rifman, former head of Ramat Negev Council, Uzi Havshush, Rashi Foundation and its then-CEO Eli Alaluf, Mr. Francis and Mrs. Mary-France Minkoff, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Negev and Galilee Development, JNF, and additional donors.
Therapeutic Horseback Riding – Our therapeutic horse farm provides treatment for Shanti House youth and children with disabilities from the Ramat Negev region. The farm also offers training as riding instructor assistants. Horseback riding fills their lives with positive energy, giving them strength and empowerment.
Animal-Assisted Therapy – This therapy provides tools for dealing with various emotional and mental challenges. It builds trust between youth and animals, fostering compassion and responsibility through unconditional, wordless connections. Our therapeutic animal sanctuary is home to: goats, dogs, chickens, swans, emus, peacocks, turtles, miniature horses, fish, and more. Youth actively participate in the animal sanctuary, taking responsibility for care, nurturing, feeding, and maintaining the animals’ health.
Shantherapy
Shantherapy encompasses all therapeutic activities, workshops, and enrichment programs available to our youth. Each person chooses at least two activities they connect with and commit to. Programs include: psychodrama, surfing, sailing, soccer, cycling, therapeutic horseback riding, body sculpting, and more.
Agricultural Therapy – This empowering and rehabilitative therapy offers positive experiences. Working with living plants helps youth become more environmentally aware and conscious of sustainability. Their journey from receiving a seed through planting, nurturing, and watching it grow strengthens their sense of capability. The program includes nature outings.
Hydrotherapy Our hydrotherapy center at Desert
Shanti House offers water-based therapy helping youth reconnect with
gentleness, touch, and renewed bodily control, guided by certified therapists
specialized in working with youth in distress.
The 12 Steps
Treatment inspired by the 12-Step method – a program encouraging breaking free from addictive substances and changing addictive lifestyle patterns, implemented both individually and in groups.
Creative and Vocational Center – This center offers various handicraft workshops introducing youth to creative expression while providing vocational training in: carpentry, woodworking, metalwork, electricity, plumbing, gardening, mosaics, stained glass, sculpture, painting, pottery, and more. At Desert Shanti House, youth choose and commit to programs with basic and advanced levels. Each level completion is celebrated with an event (exhibition or final project).
