Student leaders organize fun day for Beit Shemesh-Adulam youth

University students from the Beit Shemesh-Adulam region have been involved in an inspiring project to improve different aspects of their community. Each student receives a scholarship towards his or her studies. In return, twenty students work six hours a week on individual projects that use their talents and strengths to help others. One woman set up a stand in the local supermarket to collect food for the poor, and made 80 packages of non-perishable food for local families. Another student currently in law school gives legal advice to low-income families and individuals.

Many of the students are big brothers and sisters, some through the Perach (Big Brother/Sister) project for young children in need, and some for teenagers that have dropped out of school. Dorit Kedem, a twenty-five year old philosophy student at Hebrew University, is offering training sessions for young unemployed mothers in computer and office skills. She is presently tutoring eight women privately for one hour per week, giving them the opportunity to improve their chances for employment and economic success. Thanks to this innovative student, two women from her sessions have found employment already.

Riki Shlomo, a dental student at David Yellin college, volunteers her time as a dental hygienist for a clinic funded by P2K for underprivileged families. Merav Gozlan, a twenty-five year old economics student at Hebrew University, organizes day trips for low-income Beit Shemesh children to amusement parks like Superland, or to the Dead Sea. For many children, this is their only opportunity to leave Beit Shemesh and travel to amusement parks they have always wanted to go to but couldn't due to lack of funds or difficulties regarding transportation. Before organizing the trips, Merav surveyed 300 school children regarding their favorite places to travel to for the day so she could know exactly where these children really want to go. She is working with the community center to give underprivileged children days of fun that they have only dreamed of.
 
Occasionally throughout the year, the entire leadership group comes together to run joint programs. One successful program was a food drive in which food packages were made for 500 families over a period of two weeks.

Each student in this leadership group is making an impact on the Beit-Shemesh - Adulum community. They are demonstrating the importance of volunteerism in the community and showing people the wonderful effects that it can have; kids have role models to look up to, the underprivileged can receive legal advice and dental care, and poor families are provided with food. We hope that this student leadership initiative will be an example for all youths in the region as a way to take an active role in the betterment of their community.

Av 5761 - August 2001