Location
Tel Aviv-Yaffo is a small, but vibrant city located along the beautiful, blue-green Mediterranean Sea, on the Western coast of Israel. With its bustling atmosphere, its famous 24 hour lifestyle, as well as its many research and development centers, it is the financial, corporate, and commercial capital of Israel. Tel Aviv is home to numerous museums and art galleries, as well as lively markets and endless shopping.
The project is located just north of Jaffa in South Tel Aviv, where the culture is diverse and colorful, and "nightlife" exists all day and night. Volunteers will be living just a 5 minute walk from the stunning beaches of the Mediterranean. Tel Aviv is a popular tourist destination and named one of the Top 10 Beach Cities in the World by National Geographic. It was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Bauhaus architecture. While Tel Aviv boasts fantastic tourist activities, breathtaking beaches, and upscale shopping in some areas, other parts of the city are plagued by drugs and prostitution, and in great need of volunteer help.
About the project
The project will take place near the old Central Bus Station of Tel Aviv, in an area called Neveh Shanan, which is considered to be Tel Aviv's Red Light district. This area is one of the poorest and most troubled areas in the city limits, and is littered with prostitution, drug use, and abuse. The women surviving in this area represent a population with a strong and persisting fear. Most of these women are heavily addicted to drugs, resort to prostitution as a way to pay for their habit, and have suffered through abuse, rape, and severe exhaustion from this seemingly inescapable lifestyle. While the shelter is located in a basement facility similar to a bunker or bomb shelter, and is grimy and dirty compared to our standards, it is the life-force that gives these women something to look forward to day after day.
The women's shelter offers these women a number of services. Most importantly, it offers a safe place to rest. The fear of robbery or rape while sleeping on the streets has caused most of these women to resort to insomnia. The first step of the shelter is to offer a safe space where the women can catch up on sleep, hoping that this may open doors towards future rehabilitation.
The second thing the shelter offers is the possibility of a change of clothes. In providing showers and clean clothing, the shelter gives these women a small element of pride in who they are, and what they may be able to achieve.
The third part and perhaps the part most geared towards rehabilitation, is the cafeteria. Most of these street women, if given the choice between satisfying hunger or satisfying their drug addiction, would choose the latter. The shelter's hope is that in providing a small bite to eat, or a hot cup of coffee, it will also create a forum to promote interaction in a safe environment. Once we connect to their basic needs, we can open a discussion towards counseling and eventually friendship and trust. Because there are absolutely no drugs allowed in the shelter, this is a place where these women can feel clean and safe, but it can hold the danger of withdrawal.
Orientation in Jerusalem
The volunteer's adventure will start off with a GoEco orientation at the Abraham Hostel in the center of Jerusalem. The orientation is a great base to meet fellow volunteers / travelers and includes the following:
- Volunteer preparation and travel directions to your program
- Expert travel advice in Israel for during and after your volunteer placement
- Walking tour of Jerusalem, including the Old City and the famous Machane Yehuda market
- Discount card to experience Jerusalem's vibrant night-life
- 1 night dorm accommodation and breakfast (private rooms available for extra price)
The GoEco orientation will begin at 10:00 AM on arrival day. The next morning, volunteers will travel to the volunteer project with public transportation. Full travel details to Jerusalem and the project will be provided upon registration.
Volunteer Contribution
Volunteers are greatly needed to help with the general upkeep of the shelter. Volunteers must understand that they may be working in physically and mentally difficult situations, and must have a strong will to help these women find safety and security. Volunteers may be asked to assist with the following responsibilities:
- Cleaning
- Maintenance
- Cooking and Kitchen Duties
- Laundry
- General Upkeep
Volunteers may also be asked to help with other harrowing tasks associated with the shelter such as keeping an eye on the women while they sleep, or making sure no one takes drugs while inside. We ask volunteers to come with an open mind and an open heart, because the work we do is irreplaceable in the lives of these women. In providing clean clothes and a bite to eat, we are offering these women much more than shelter.
Volunteers will work Monday - Thursday from around 10:00 - 15:00, and are provided with lunch at the shelter.
Accommodation
Volunteers will stay in the Old Jaffa Hostel in a single gender dormitory room with up to 6 people including: beds, linen and air conditioning.
Facilities at Hostel Include:
- Toilet and Hot Showers
- Linen and towels
- Communal kitchen - for the hostel guests to use.
- The lobby includes a snack & drink bar, lockers, Internet, hot drinks & safety-deposit box.
- Simple breakfast: bread, jam, chocolate spread, coffee, tea, and milk
- Beautiful rooftop lounge, equipped with chairs, Persian rugs, and even a fountain.
- Internet is available for 10nis/hr or wifi is free in the lobby.
The Hostel is conveniently located in the center of Old Jaffa 5 minutes walk from the bus station. 10 minutes walk to the beach, boardwalk & clubbing area. The Flea market and restaurants are located just around the corner
Important notes:
- Accommodation prices are based on Israeli Currency and subject to change.
- Private rooms are available for an extra cost, please enquire with GoEco
- Volunteers will share dormitory with backpackers
- Volunteers will independently take a 20 minute bus ride to the project (cost 5 NIS each way).
- GoEco will book and pay for the accomodations for the volunteers (Price of hostel included in project cost).
Travel Highlights
Tel Aviv-Jaffa is an amazing area of Israel. There are innumerable bars and clubs speckling the city, and it is famous for its 24/7 lifestyle. The northern Jaffa area is home to markets and cafes and is quite a lively and exciting place to live. Volunteers will also be able to travel easily, as Israel is a small country with many interesting sites and destinations. Volunteers can visit Eilat, and its coral reefs on the Red Sea, or take a day to visit Jerusalem, overflowing with religion, culture, and diversity.
Volunteers should take in to account
This is an emotionally and physically taxing project that requires a strong heart and determination. Working with women who spend their whole lives selling their bodies to pay for drugs is an incredibly difficult thing to do. Volunteers must understand that they will not see any "success stories" here. We are trying to make their lives more manageable and their safety more real, but these women still incur many kinds of abuse. This is the type of work that could change a volunteer's life if they take it seriously, so please sign up for this project being fully aware of the commitment they must make.
Minimum Requirements
- Min age 18
- Basic English/ or Hebrew
- Good physical fitness
- High level of independence
- Motivation to work with street women
- Full travel & medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)