Vereinigung Junger Freiwilliger

GoEcoLTV     SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY      ALL YEAR       6 VOL       LTV/DISA

Shekel is a non-profit organization, which provides community services for people with a variety of disabilities and special needs. Over the years it has established the Community Living Program, an impressive network of rented apartments all over Jerusalem and near Tel Aviv in which hundreds of adults with intellectual and functional disabilities live. These apartments, usually designed for 4-6 people are cared for by trained personnel who follow individualized treatment plans which are up-dated as the residents make progress. Living in the community and not in hostels or other institutions allows people with special needs to feel more pride and more capable than they would have they lived in a completely sheltered community. Some of residents have even made progress to the degree in which they can now live on their own in a single's apartment.

Work: as a volunteer you will be involved in the Community Living Program, duties include:

1) Helping with the physical care of the residents (feeding, dressing, showering, personal care) 

2) Helping residents participate in a variety of special activities during the week: physical therapy music, swimming, arts and crafts, baking and cooking and community outings

3) Actively participating in the residents’ individual programs

4) Emotional support, coping with their disabilities and helping them integrate in the community.

Location: Jerusalem

Arrival airport: BenGurion Airport, Tel Aviv.

Meeting point: Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv

Accommodation: International volunteers stay in a basic shared apartment for 6 people in the center of Jerusalem. Apartment includes: rooms suited for 2 - 3 people, beds, bathroom, shower, and fully equipped kitchen. Pocket money will be provided for food and local transport.

Special Remarks: Minimum participation period is 4 months and starts on the first Monday of every month. Motivation letter required.

MID TERM PROJECTS

GoEco01     WILDLIFE PRESERVE      ALL YEAR       5 VOL       MTV/ENVI

The mission of Yotvata Hai-Bar (Wildlife Preserve) Nature Reserve is to establish reproduction groups for populations of wild animals that are mentioned in the Bible; but have disappeared from the landscape, as well as for other endangered desert animals. The reserve is dotted with Acacia trees and includes a variety of desert habitats: an Acacia forest, a salt marsh, and sand dunes. The reserve has three parts: a three-acre penned-in open area, where herds of herbivorous animals live in conditions similar to those in the wild; the Predators Centre, where reptiles, small desert animals, and large predators are on display; and the Desert Night Life Exhibition Hall, where night and day are reversed so that visitors to the reserve can observe nocturnal animals during their active hours.

Work: as a volunteer you will become an integral part of the NPA staff at the Wildlife preserve and other nature reserves in the southern region of the Arava and Eilat. Duties include: Feeding animals and cleaning habitats, maintenance, observations and data collection, accompanying & assisting park rangers, field work and constructing enrichment facilities. Long-term volunteer may be asked to lead short term workcamps of 10 volunteers at the preserve.

Location: Yotvata Hai-Bar (Wildlife Preserve) is situated on Route 90 (Dead Sea-Eilat) between Kibbutz Yotvata and Kibbutz Samar, about 35 kilometers north of Eilat.

Arrival airport: BenGurion Airport, Tel Aviv.

Meeting point: Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv

Accommodation: International volunteers stay in a basic shared apartment (size 45 m²) in Kibbutz Grofit with up to 5 volunteers, 10 minutes drive form the Hai-Bar. Apartment includes: 2 rooms suited for 2 - 3 people, bunk beds, bathroom, shower, and fully equipped kitchen. Daily public transportation will be provided to the wildlife preserve by the NPA staff.

Language: English

Extra fee: €190

Special Remarks: Minimum participation period is 4 weeks and starts on the first Monday of every month. This project does not include food, around 5 Euros per day is estimated for each volunteer to purchase food at the local market.

GoEco02     FAUZI AZAR     ALL YEAR     4 VOL     MTV/SOCI

The Fauzi Azar house is a beautiful 300 year old Ottoman building that was converted into an inn in 2005. The Fauzi Azar Inn promotes ecotourism in Nazareth and works with the community to contribute to its development in various areas. The inn uses local resources to create new work places, to raise the self- image of the local community, and to encourage economic growth while preserving the universal values of natural and cultural preservation. The aim is to introduce in Nazareth, which is the largest Arab city in Israel, a new model of tourism and thus "bridge the gap" between Arabs and Jews.

Work: As a volunteer you will be involved in hosting the guests and reception work, which includes check-ins and check-outs, answering local area questions, making tea, coffee and cakes. You will also be encouraged to volunteer with other projects associated with out Inn such as the Jesus Trail (a new hiking trail from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee). We also want volunteers who can help teach our staff a new language or other skills that can be extended to the local community. Your volunteer commitment is 4 to 6 hours per day, with 1 or 2 days off per week. Most of the volunteer hours will be in the afternoon and evening. No matter what your skills and talents, there is also a lot of room for initiative that can benefit the Fauzi Azar Inn. Past projects include: website translation, eco-tourism development, brochure writing, event planning and guiding tours

Location: Nazareth is situated in the mountainous Galilee region of northern Israel approximately 102 km north of Tel Aviv and 40 km east of Haifa.

Terminal: BenGurion Airport, Tel Aviv                

Meeting point: Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv

Accommodation: As a volunteer you will live in accommodations which are similar to those living in the neighborhood. The volunteer quarter is a small apartment around the corner (20 meters) from the Inn. The bedrooms, bath, and common areas are shared. Up to four volunteers will share a bedroom. Utilities and linens are provided. Volunteers are also welcome to use the Fauzi Azar facilities such as the kitchen for cooking meals. A brand new washer is also available; however, you will have to line dry your clothes.

Language: English

Extra fee: €190

Special Remarks: Minimum participation period is 4 weeks and starts on the first Monday of every month. This project doesn't include food, around 5 Euros per day is estimated for each volunteer to purchase food at the local market.

GoEco13     DESERT ECO CENTER     ALL YEAR     5 VOL     MTV/ENVI/SOCI

Situated on the rim of the incredible Ramon Crater, The Desert Shade Eco Lodge is a unique center for eco-tourism and environmental education. The Lodge sets an example of sustainable living in the desert and hosts seminars on environmental leadership while promoting ambitious social programs. These include the Desert Generation program, a social startup with the aim of developing environmental entrepreneurship amongst Arab and Jewish youth within their communities.

Work: As a volunteer you will be exposed to the challenges involved with the running and development of the Eco Lodge. Volunteer task are unconventional at times and will include some of the following: earth building and recycling, daily maintenance of the Eco Lodge, organic gardening in the orchard and winery, assisting at the bicycle center and other projects, setting up workshops for seminars and groups, working with young participants on the Desert Generation program. Volunteers are expected to work 30 - 35 hours, 4 - 5 days a week.

Location: Makhtesh Ramon is a spectacular geological feature of Israel's Negev desert. Located at the peak of Mount Negev, some 85 km south of the city of Beersheba, the landform is not actually an impact crater from a meteor, but rather is the world's largest erosion cirque or makhtesh. The crater is 40 km long and 2-10 km wide, and is shaped like an elongated heart. The only settlement in the area is the small town of Mitzpe Ramon located on the northern edge of the crater. Today the crater and surrounding area forms Israel's largest national park, the Ramon Nature Reserve.

Terminal: BenGurion Airport, Tel Aviv.

Meeting point: Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv

Accommodation: Volunteers will stay In a Chadrologues - basic ecological rooms that integrate tent structure and hut made of earth. Sheets and blankets are provided. Shared toilets and hot showers are located in the central building. Food is bought by the volunteers at the local supermarket, 10 minutes walk from the lodge. Communal kitchen is available for cooking. Each volunteer is given a bicycle during his stay for personal convenience.

Language: English

Extra fee: €190

Special Remarks: Minimum participation period is 5 - 8 weeks and starts on the first Monday of every month all year. This project doesn't include food, around 5 Euros per day is estimated for each volunteer to purchase food at the local market.

GoEco14     ART VILLAGE     ALL YEAR     4 VOL     MTV/ENVI/SOCI

The Vertigo Eco Art Village combines creative arts and ecology to create a countryside educational center for people from Israel and around the world. The center facilitates on going arts and environmental programs for the greater public, including workshops, retreats, performances and festivals for youth and adults. Special attention is given to disadvantaged populations. As part of its environmental focus the Village develops and disseminates information on green technologies such as water conservation systems and sustainable energy sources.

Work: As a volunteer you will be exposed to the challenges involved with the running and development of the Eco Art Village. Volunteer tasks will include some of the following: general maintenance, gardening, office work, cleaning, eco building, assisting with hosting groups, what ever is needed to make the village run and develop. Volunteers are expected to work 4 -6 hours 5 days a week.

Location: between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in the rural Ellah Valley

Terminal: BenGurion Airport, Tel Aviv.

Meeting point: Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv

Accommodation: Simple eco style room with bed, communal kitchen, showers and bathroom

Language: English

Extra fee: €190

Special Remarks: Minimum participation period is 4 - 8 weeks and starts on the first Monday of every month all year. This project doesn't include food, around 5 Euros per day is estimated for each volunteer to purchase food at the local market.

GoEco15     MOUNTAIN ECO LODGE     ALL YEAR     3 VOL     MTV/ENVI/AGRI

Situated on one of the highest peaks in Israel, the Nimrod Mountain Eco Lodge is an impressive center for eco-tourism and experimental bio-farming. The Lodge sets an example of modern sustainable living on the rugged Golan Heights using down to earth techniques such as grey water systems, construction from recycled materials, natural insulation and bio-farming. The Lodge is in the process of creating a living and working eco community for people with special needs.

Work: As a volunteer you will be exposed to the challenges involved with the running and development of the Mountain Eco Lodge. Volunteer tasks will include some of the following: ecological minded building, daily maintenance of the Eco Lodge, bio farming and picking crops (spring – autumn), hosting guests from around the world. Volunteers are expected to work 30 - 35 hours, 5 days a week.

Location: Nimrod is a small Israeli settlement, cooperative agricultural community, in the Golan Heights on the southern slopes of Mount Hermon, and is the highest such civilian settlement in Israel at 1,110 meters (3,642 ft) above sea level. Nimrod is around 4 hours north of Tel Aviv.

Terminal: BenGurion Airport, Tel Aviv.

Meeting point: Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv

Accommodation: volunteers will stay in a comfortable dorm cabin suited for 4 people with beds, bathroom with hot shower and fully equipped kitchen. Food provisions will be provided for cooking.

Language: English

Extra fee: €190

Special Remarks: Minimum participation period is 4 weeks and starts on the first Monday of every month all year.