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In a series of articlesabout the Efratorganization,Arutz Sheva presents a number of personal stories and anecdotes relating the group's life-saving activities. This week’s article centers on Hodaya, a single expectant mother whose boyfriend left the country upon finding out he was going to become a father.

“When I left the Efrat organization’s offices, I was a confused mess,” Hodaya recalled. “While the pregnancy had taken me by surprise, I had accepted it with open arms. I thought that it would possibly push my boyfriend to propose, but that’s not what had happened.”

In fact, Hodaya found herself left behind after her surprised boyfriend packed his bags and boarded an international plane.

“I felt completely and utterly hopeless.”

A few months earlier, Hodaya had been dismissed from her job. When her boyfriend left her, she found herself homeless as well. She spent her nights on various friends’ couches, but had no single place to call home.

For this reason exactly, the Efrat organization established a network of volunteers to accompany expecting women from the first stages of their pregnancies until the baby lets out its first cry. The volunteers, some of whom who previously terminated pregnancies themselves, are trained and their actions principally focus on emotional accompaniment and support.

“When they told me that a volunteer would contact me at once, I did not know what to expect,” Hodaya continued. “Even before I had returned to where I was currently staying, Sarah had called me and introduced herself as an Efrat volunteer. I don’t know how to explain it, but I felt an immediate connection to her.”

Hodaya felt as if Sarah was the right person at the right time. “Because of her, I succeeded in continuing with the pregnancy with minimal tears. She was a great listener, no matter what time I called. At a certain stage, she even helped mend my relationship with my mother, and convinced me to move back in with my parents.”

“The relationship formed between the expectant mother and the Efrat volunteer is a very special connection,” Efrat social worker, Ruth Tidhar, explains. “There are those who maintain the relationship for years. In addition, in many cases, we witness the volunteers going above and beyond what is expected of them, including helping the expectant mothers with food, clothing and the life.”

After a complicated pregnancy, Hodaya gave birth to a healthy baby boy, who she later named Yair. She expressed her gratitude to Efrat in writing, praising the volunteer who accompanied her throughout her journey to motherhood.

“I was hospitalized a number of times during the pregnancy. Throughout the entire process, Sarah was by my side, warmly encouraging me. Yair brought joy into my life, as well as into the lives of all those people who thought I was better off terminating the pregnancy. The Efrat organization saved Yair, but they also saved me!” Hodaya exclaimed.