Behind the Scenes at ENP
By Orit Honigsberg
ENP Intern, Fall 2014
Student at Bar Ilan University
This week, I began an exiting new endeavor as an intern at the Ethiopian National Project. My job is behind-the-scenes, helping out with grant writing and fundraising. When I began this position, it was slightly daunting as this is an area I have no previous experience in. I spent my first day poring over old reports, familiarizing myself with ENP’s work, and trying to gain an understanding for the organization’s focuses and future goals. With each report, I grew increasingly touched and impressed. Touched, because these children, who are so deserving of equal opportunity and the chance at a brighter future, are being provided with the chance to improve. Reading through some of the student’s personal accounts and understanding ENP’s work in-action was incredibly moving, especially the charts which boast the incredible success rate of ENP’s programs.
Today, I reflected back on my own educational experiences. Having gone through the North-American academic system until my high-school graduation, I was afforded ample opportunities to excel. The learning environment I was in was both stimulating and competitive, where my peers and I strongly valued grades and were taught to look towards the future. These values were subconsciously instilled in us at home by our parents and at school by our teachers. When I made aliyah, and became a part of the Israeli school system for University, my past academic experiences enabled a seamless transition, allowing me to keep up with the Israeli students in my class. I consider the large number of Ethiopians who made aliyah, like I did, and yet still struggle to find their place in Israeli society, despite having arrived many years before me. It certainly puts things in perspective, and makes me grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such an important cause.
ENP Intern, Fall 2014
Student at Bar Ilan University
This week, I began an exiting new endeavor as an intern at the Ethiopian National Project. My job is behind-the-scenes, helping out with grant writing and fundraising. When I began this position, it was slightly daunting as this is an area I have no previous experience in. I spent my first day poring over old reports, familiarizing myself with ENP’s work, and trying to gain an understanding for the organization’s focuses and future goals. With each report, I grew increasingly touched and impressed. Touched, because these children, who are so deserving of equal opportunity and the chance at a brighter future, are being provided with the chance to improve. Reading through some of the student’s personal accounts and understanding ENP’s work in-action was incredibly moving, especially the charts which boast the incredible success rate of ENP’s programs.
Today, I reflected back on my own educational experiences. Having gone through the North-American academic system until my high-school graduation, I was afforded ample opportunities to excel. The learning environment I was in was both stimulating and competitive, where my peers and I strongly valued grades and were taught to look towards the future. These values were subconsciously instilled in us at home by our parents and at school by our teachers. When I made aliyah, and became a part of the Israeli school system for University, my past academic experiences enabled a seamless transition, allowing me to keep up with the Israeli students in my class. I consider the large number of Ethiopians who made aliyah, like I did, and yet still struggle to find their place in Israeli society, despite having arrived many years before me. It certainly puts things in perspective, and makes me grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such an important cause.
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