WHAT WE EXPECT OF APPLICANTS
- GOOD HEALTH AND PHYSICAL/MENTAL CONDITION. This is a WORK program involving physical labor under conditions that can be stressful, including no air conditioning or heat; outside in the sun or inside dusty warehouses; climbing stairs or walking considerable distance over rough unpaved ground; bending, stooping, lifting, carrying.
- THE CONDITIONS AT ISRAELI MILITARY BASES ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, ESPECIALLY PROBLEMS WALKING, BACK PROBLEMS, SIGNIFICANT VISION OR HEARING LOSS, LIMITED USE OF HANDS OR OTHER JOINTS, ASTHMA OR OTHER BREATHING PROBLEMS, OR UNSTABLE HEART CONDITIONS.
- Persons with certain psychological/cognitive disorders are not suited for this program, as the stress of a foreign environment and change in routine can be harmful to themselves or others, or to security on the base.
- Applicants should have a positive, cooperative attitude. Understand that you will be living and working under conditions that are very different, more rugged, and not organized in the same manner as your concept of military facilities in your home country. We ask that you be very flexible -- "go with the Israeli flow" and do the best job you can with the situation you are given. Enjoy the adventure of the experience !
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
- The three-week and two-week work programs are based on an Israeli routine of a 5-day work week. There is no work on Friday or Shabbat (Saturday).
- At military bases, 3 kosher meals are provided daily. At hospitals and other locations, meal arrangements vary.
- Basic living conditions: Several volunteers live together in one room. Men and women are housed separately.
- There are usually 1 or 2 evening excursions on the three-week program. On the two-week program, one excursion is offered when possible. (Excursions are dependent on current situations.)
- There are some evening educational or cultural programs.
- You are free to spend the weekends with relatives or friends, or to spend the time traveling in Israel.
| TYPES OF WORK AVAILABLE TO VOLUNTEERS |
ON ARMY BASES:
Volunteers should expect to do any work that needs doing that may be done
by a civilian. Some examples:
- Quartermaster and Supply - processing materials, taking inventory, organizing
or packing supplies in a warehouse
- Base Maintenance - painting, gardening, cleaning
- Maintenance and Equipment Repair - machinery repair, vehicle and general
parts maintenance
- Kitchen - preparing food, serving, washing dishes, cleaning dining room
- Construction - assisting with building and repair
VFI offers volunteers an opportunity for a very personal way to help Israel. You will find that this less than glamorous work will redeem itself, once you feel the appreciation of the Israelis and the sense of belonging. The feeling of accomplishment and purpose makes all the hard work and any inconvenience worthwhile.
IN HOSPITALS AND NURSING
HOMES :
Most of the current work sites available are retirement/nursing home facilities.
A limited number of hospital placements are active. Please keep in mind
that it is a special kind of individual who is able to cope with daily one-on-one
contact with very aged or ill people. If you are a compassionate soul, you
will find this work very rewarding.
Full-time maintenance positions (men preferred) are occassionally available.
Types of work include:
- kitchen or laundry duty; maintenance and cleaning
- delivering meals and helping feed patients who can not feed themselves
- transporting patients to appointments or treatments
- assisting with daily activities (walks, socialization, errands)
Hours will vary depending on the institution. Work may be in shifts with morning, afternoon, or early evening requirements, 5 or 6 days per week.
One facility for physically and
mentally handicapped youth and young adults requires a 3 month minimum committment.
It is a challenging assignment best suited for 2 people who want to
work together. An apartment accommodation on premises is provided.
HOUSING AND MEALS |
On military bases, groups average 15-40 people. Volunteers are housed in barracks with 4 or more people per room. Men and women are in separate rooms. Beds are metal frame cots, single or bunkbed style. Bathrooms are communal, separated for men and women. They may be in a separate building from the sleep rooms. Volunteers will be assigned to take turns keeping the barracks area and bathrooms cleaned. There is no central heat or air conditioning. In a few cases there may be window air conditioners, otherwise just portable fans and space heaters.
Meals will be in the base dining hall with the soldiers. All military base food is kosher.
The morning and evening meals are dairy/vegetarian. The main meal at noon is the meat meal. Volunteers should not bring outside food into the dining hall, as it may violate the kosher status.
At hospital assignments, there may be 1-5 people. Accommodations usually are more like a small dorm room, shared by 2 people. The main noon meal will be provided; there may be additional cost to the volunteer for other meals.
| WORK CLOTHING |
Work uniforms and boots are provided on military bases. Coats and sweaters are also provided in cold weather. Volunteers should bring heavy-duty socks for use with the boots. You may wear t-shirts under the uniform shirt if desired. Keep in mind that you may be working with grease, oil, gas, or paint. Underclothing for work days should be items that will not matter if they come in contact with these substances.
Soiled uniforms are exchanged for clean ones. In general, laundry facilities for personal clothing are not available on base; wash is done by hand and hung on line to dry.
Hospital workers wear their own clothing, and a lab coat will be supplied to wear over that.
| WEATHER |
The weather is very hot and dry May through October. If you do not tolerate heat very well, it would be advisable to plan your trip for other months. November and April can be more mild. The rainy winter season is later November into March.