One Year Volunteering in Israel

Hello! My name is Leilani and on August 27th I left my life in the United States to spend one year volunteering in the Middle East. 

I am currently participate in the Tikkun Olam in Tel Aviv-Jaffa Coexistence Track 2012-2013.The Tikkun Olam Coexistence Track is a program that seeks to build mutual understanding between Jews and Arabs in the diverse communities of Jaffa through volunteer work and education. While participating in Tikkun Olam's Coexistence Track, I interact with Israeli society in its full diversity as well as the Arab community living in Jaffa, which in and of itself is made up of diverse religious and ethnic groups. Through these encounters I have had the chance to know life in this intense and intricate city: I am learning of local customs, hearing the personal stories of Jaffa residents and having the chance to discover a local and honest point of view as voiced by those who live in a state of conflict daily. While doing so I am living in a community that exists in a fragile coexistence.

During my time in Israel I have had the opportunity do amazing volunteer work with at-risk youth, ethiopian communities, work for Arab-Jewish coexistence in Jaffa, help out in an after-school program in one of Tel Aviv's struggling neighborhoods, teach English at a women's empowerment center, and much more. 

Though the work involved and the overall intent of this program is very similar to the Peace Corps, it is not a government funded program, and participants do not receive a living stipend of any sort. I am responsible for coming up with the cost to participate in the program, and enough funds to live off of while I am participating. 

The total cost of the program is over $10,000 plus the cost of airfare and living expenses. I have received grants and scholarships to cover most of the program cost, and paid the rest with my own savings. It costs me approximately $400-$500 a month to eat and stay healthy, and then there are small incidentals like new socks and warm things for the rainy/cold season here.

I am asking for donations to help me raise the $5,000.00 necessary to live on for the duration of my program and to pay for airfare. I don't want to cut my volunteering efforts short, but if I do not finish raising the amount of money I need I will be forced to end my work and leave! Thank you!!