Stories and Pathways

Today, I went on my first site visit as a volunteer with the Ethiopian National Project. I had the opportunity to join a group of American students from the University of Kansas as they met group of students participating in the Scholastic Assistance program in Ramla. The Ethiopian-Israeli students were dissecting hearts in their science enrichment class, and the American University students joined in seamlessly. As the participants explained to the Americans what they were doing to the hearts, where they were cutting, and what they were looking for, they also managed to discuss their common favorite bands, such as One Direction. It was an amazing opportunity for ENP participants to talk to American University students, and ask them questions about their lives and see the common ground they share. The American students enjoyed helping with the dissection and getting to hear more about the lives of the participants. After this vibrant cultural exchange we met with ENP professional sta

For my Winter break from Binghamton University, I decided to do something a little bit different than the average Spring break in Mexico or the Bahamas. I came to the beautiful land of Israel. As this season turned out to produce one of the biggest snowstorms Israel has seen in twenty years, I was most definitely not soaking up the sun on a warm beachfront. However, I was still enjoying myself experiencing my first snowfall in Jerusalem while interning with the Ethiopian National Project. I spent my time volunteering at the Heftziba Community Center in Netanya, which was created by ENP as a Youth Outreach Center in a caravan on the grounds of an elementary school. The highly successful ENP Youth Outreach Center was later transformed into what it is today—a full fledged Community Center with an after school program including learning English, homework help, Tsofim (Scouts) youth group planned activities, and an authentic Ethiopian dance class. There are a plethora of daily options