"What, Who, Where, When and Why"
WHAT
WHO
WHERE
WHEN
WHY
WHAT
The program begins with a summer-long international volunteer experience. Participants work 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 to pursue grassroots change during the Domestic Yearlong Program which includes retreats, public speaking engagements, article writing, advocacy and volunteer service. Over the course of the academic year, participants attend educational retreats and raise public awareness about issues they confronted over the summer. Resources and networking opportunities are provided to enhance the impact of the summer experience.
WHO
Jewish young adults between the ages of 16 and 24.
There are three groups exclusively for college-age adults and recent college graduates, ages 18 to 24 years old. If you are currently a high school graduate and are between 18 and 24 (you need not be enrolled in a college) you are eligible for the college-age group.
There are two groups exclusively for high school participants ages 16-18 years old. You must be completing your junior or senior year of high school to participate in the program.
AJWS aims to compose well-balanced and diverse groups of volunteers. All five groups consist of 15 participants. Two AJWS group leaders will guide each of the three college-age groups. Three AJWS group leaders will guide the high school groups.
The group leaders offer experience and expertise in international development, experiential education, Jewish studies and knowledge of local culture and traditions. They are also trained in first aid and wilderness safety, as well as in leadership development, conflict management and group dynamics.
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
International Locations for Volunteer Summer 2008
College Groups: Nicaragua, Ghana, and India
High School Groups: Honduras and Uganda
Retreat locations for the domestic component of the program, the DYLP, will be posted during the summer of 2008.
In the summer of 2007, projects included: building housing for teachers for a village in Ghana's Upper Volta region; constructing an income generation project in Uganda; working on a school canteen for students in Thailand; and building a community center in a village outside of Siguatepeque, Honduras. Applicants can apply for general admission to AJWS Volunteer Summer. If you are invited for an interview, you will be asked to specify country preference.
Download an application.
WHEN
The pre-trip orientation will take place from June 22-24, 2008 in New York City and participants will depart for their international destinations either June 24 or 25, 2008 depending on flight times.
All groups will return to the U.S. by August 13, 2008.
Dates for the 2008-2009 DYLP Retreats are:
Fall Retreat:
September 19-21, 2008
New York
Winter and Spring Retreat dates and places will be posted in April 2008. Learn more about the Domestic Yearlong Program.
WHY
Join a network of Jews who engage in tikkun olam (repairing the world) by devoting yourself to physical labor and active engagement with ethical questions. Pursue justice in solidarity with those in need and promote social change in the developing world as well as your home community. Build friendships with other volunteers and local community members. Immerse yourself in another culture. Devote yourself to projects of great worth.
