AJWS Volunteer Summer: Volunteer Testimony

American Jewish World Service Volunteer Summer
www.ajws.org/service

Join a network of Jews in tikkun olam (repairing the world) by devoting yourself to volunteering and active engagement in the developing world. Pursue justice for those in need and promote social change in Africa, Asia or Latin America. Build friendships with other volunteers and local community members. Immerse yourself in another culture. Devote yourself to a project of great worth.

WHAT:
Participants volunteer for seven weeks with an AJWS partner organization in a rural area in the developing world. Projects require intense physical labor (approximately seven hours a day, five days a week). Structured discussions occur at least four times a week, and opportunities abound for cross-cultural exchange and community building within the group.

Following the summer, participants continue in the domestic yearlong program which includes retreats, public speaking engagements, article writing, advocacy and volunteer service.

WHO:
Jewish young adults between the ages of 16 and 24.

All four groups consist of 15 participants. AJWS group leaders will guide each of the high school, college and post-college groups.

AJWS Volunteer Summer is a pluralistic program that welcomes and accommodates young adults from every stream of Judaism. We consider applications from within and outside of the U.S., and we value diverse backgrounds and experiences.

WHERE:
Four projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America are being offered this year. Three projects are for young adults 18-24, and one is for current high school juniors and seniors. Projects are hosted by AJWS-supported community-based organizations.

During the summer of 2006, projects included: building a new community center for a village in Ghana's Upper Volta region; rebuilding roads in Guatemala; working on a sustainable fishing project and day care center in Thailand; and the high school group constructed a potable water system in a village outside of Siguatepeque, Honduras.

For more information, visit www.ajws.org/service

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• ajws
• american
• jewish
• world
• service
• ghana
• volunteer
• africa