AJWS Volunteer Summer applications are due February 1. This is one of numerous overseas opportunities from American Jewish World Service (AJWS). Volunteer Summer offers Jewish young adults (ages 16-24) the experience of living and working as a group in a developing country — for seven weeks volunteers work alongside community members, engaging in cultural exchange as they dig ditches for a safe water system, construct a new school, or participate in other development projects. On their return (the most challenging part of any experience living abroad), volunteers participate in a domestic yearlong program of retreats and projects. I served as group leader for the 2001 Volunteer Summer delegation to rural Honduras and Israel; it was an incredible summer which formed lifelong friends and memories. Since then, AJWS has expanded, developed, and improved the program. More details:
Learn by:
- Living in rural communities in the developing world.
- Learning about local traditions and international development.
- Exploring social justice within a pluralistic Jewish group.
- Working on service projects such as digging a potable water system; constructing an elementary school; or creating a model farm.
- Engaging in skill building and networking throughout the year.
Following the summer, participants continue their service in the domestic yearlong program through retreats and projects that continue to develop their skills as advocates for human rights.
Locations: Uganda, Honduras (High School); Ghana, India, Nicaragua (College)
Program Dates: June 22nd – August 13th 2008
Application Deadline: February 1, 2008
For more information, including a downloadable application, please visit www.ajws.org/service, e-mail volunteer@ajws.org, or call 212.792.2919.
