SAR-EL ? d'you KNOW it? have YOU heard about it ? what is it ?
Dec 09 '05
The Bottom Line well I'll tell you.
When you feel that you would like to volunteer to do some lightweight duties in Israel Defense Force.
SAR-EL ! -- do you know it?
well I'm gonna tell you...
When you feel that you would like to volunteer
to do some lightweight duties in Israel Defense Force..
on a base or in a hospital, in Israel....,
then Sar-El is the organisation to approach.
I have done a few programs at different times,
different periods, in different places...
and did allsorts of assorted jobs and chores,
dressed in uniform (not designer fitting) and mixing with real soldiers..
men soldiers and girl soldiers...
and those experiences are the best in my life,
and of course eating 3 great meals every day.
People from all walks of life,
and also many non Jewish people from many countries
are welcomed to be a volunteer,
and also rich people and not rich people,
have cleaned the kitchen and mess hall,
and have removed rust and applied paint
and have wrapped things and have packed things,
and have counted things and put things into boxes
and have loaded boxes onto trucks...
and work in laundry and garden..
and even 79 year olds have enjoyed volunteering to help the soldiers...
doing lightweight work or even mixing in with the heavier stuff...
naughty Emma almost 80, tried to turn over a heavy object
when there is a crane or many younger stronger volunteers to turn it over...
and of course eating 3 great meals every day..
and George thought that a narrow army barrack bed would have a kingsize mattress...
so he brought with him ...kingsize sheets..
and women sleep in girls quarters and husbands or men stay in mens barracks,
and your big suitcases packed with clothes are really not necessary.
And at every age group there is fantastic comradeship
and people from different countries come and make new friends with the soldiers and with other volunteers,
and the young "leaders"-- mainly female soldiers
are trained in several different languages, to listen,
and give advice, and help..
and they also give small lectures about interesting topics,
and about life in Israel.
While on a program, the volunteers are taken
on a couple of tours to lovely places, here in Israel,
and also include the opportunity to meet local families,
and on "weekends" are free to do and go whatever they fancy...
and should be back at their place on Sunday morning...(yes Sunday is the first working day of the week ).
The leaders give each volunteer a personal schedule
on how exactly to get back to the base from wherever they went,
and even though they are pretty (little girls really), they very firmly take charge and see that all moves along smoothly.
Now that I've got you interested,
you should ask your local travel agent
to point you to the right "organisers" in your city..
where you may find some information
and also Sar-El website
http://www.sar-el.org/
for much interesting advice,
and also to read the testimonials of other volunteers..
I can also answer questions
about my volunteering episodes...
where on different bases,
I covered books
and pushed lightweight trolleys
and applied rust remover
and straightened some bent things,
and counted bolts and nuts
and put date tags on packets,
and unwrapped broken things
and wrapped up fixed things,
and laughed and joked,
and ate 3 good meals every day
and met lovely people from everywhere,
and good days fly by....
Fear not, for only some small disciplines are needed...
like attending flag-raising ceremony every morning...
like not being too late for meals...
like cleaning the mess-you-have-just-made,
like being nice the way you are ?
and once I was reported to the "high-up" coz I "instructed" two 75 year old grannies to push the 25 ton truck into the warehouse ???.. and to hurry up !
they said I had no right to order them around !
and so another good day goes by...
and at the end of the program... a lot of sad faces...
volunteers say goodbyes, and soldiers look forward to another group,
and so another good day goes by.........
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Epinions.com ID:
louisdrinkingt
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Member: Lou
Location: View of the Med.
Reviews written: 124
Trusted by: 66 members
About Me:
I love scooter riding, visiting new places, but limit that pleasure in rainy season.
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