Volunteer for the preservation of traditional desert living practices and indigenous Bedouin culture in the beautiful and intriguing Negev Desert, Israel
APPLICATION FORM
GoEco's Facebook Community
Code
GoEco11
Location
Be'er Sheva and Bedouin villages within the surrounding Negev Desert – rocky, dry, hot, mystical country side within Israel which attracts many tourists every year
About
Against the background of the magnificent desert scenery of the Negev, there exists the long standing, historical confrontation between the traditional nomadic life-style of the nomads (Bedouins) and the modern life-style of the 21st Century. From the time of the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the modernization of the Negev desert was central to the development policy for the area. Modernization meant the introduction of modern agriculture techniques, the building of new towns and villages and the development of modern infrastructure such as water, electricity, sewage and roads. Modernization often clashes with the nomadic life-style of the Bedouin. Their free movement in the desert is curtailed. They resist efforts to be settled in a permanent location and hence are obliged to find their livelihood on unauthorized and unrecognized villages without any basic infrastructure or social services. Bustan is committed to cultivating sustainable models which promote the fair allocation of public resources and to heighten public awareness of the problem. Since March 2008, Bustan has initiated an exciting course geared towards participants from unrecognized Bedouin villages. In this three-month course, through theory and hands-on practice, participants meet weekly to learn the principles of permaculture and its application to desert settings. Participants will gain the tools of analysis and planning to respond to local issues, implementing projects that are sustainable and appropriate. Following completion of coursework, participants will complete supervised projects implementing permaculture principles in their own communities. These projects will demonstrate environmentally sound solutions to ecological problems in the Negev, particularly those due to unrecognized status. Graduates will receive an internationally recognized permaculture certificate. Significant scholarships will be available to all accepted applicants. Target participants will be residents of the Negev's unrecognized Bedouin villages. Approximately 15 students will be accepted to the course. BUSTAN would like to invite international volunteers to join this ecological initiative to assist hands-on with various innovative projects.
Volunteer tasks & contribution
The volunteer tasks will be organized in regular shifts during the project and will concentrate on supporting Bedouin community partners in their independent projects, as well as partaking in existing BUSTAN projects such as:
- Permaculture Course for Bedouin participants, who will then take the knowledge back to their communities to implement projects.
- Children's Power Project, bringing solar energy to families in unrecognized villages who have sick children whose treatment is dependent upon electricity.
- BUSTAN's Green Centre, which will be the planning of a real "green" Green Center complex complete with gardens, grey water system, clean energy, etc.
- Organic Gardening Campaign, promoting personal organic gardening practices within the Bedouin community
- Eco-Arts Project, connecting Bedouin and Jewish women through traditional Bedouin handicrafts with recycled materials
- Visioning and planning of a new green building for the Green Center
Project dates
From the 14 August 2008 – 28 August 2008
Minimum requirements
• Age above 18
• High level of independence and flexibility
• Full travel and health insurance
• Conversational English
• Physically fit
• Good health
Place available
6 volunteers
Accommodation
Volunteers will rotate their stay at the BUSTAN Green Center in Be'er Sheva and a homestay within a Bedouin community (a week in each location). As a volunteer you will be provided with a comfortable room in a shared apartment with fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, hot shower, internet, washer/dryer and living room. While at the Green Center, basic food items will be provided and there are many opportunities to purchase additional food in walking distance from the center. During the homestay, volunteers will enjoy full meals.
Orientation in Tel Aviv
As part of the project, an orientation will be provided for all the participants during the 14th – 17th August 2008 together with other volunteers from GoEco projects. The orientation will include preparation lectures regarding Israel and the project, walking tour of old Tel Aviv and Jaffa and ample time to enjoy the beach, meet new friends and party or enjoy cultural venues. Includes light breakfast and Friday night dinner.
Language
English
Participation fee
€480
Price includes
• Administration
• Accommodation in forest shelter
• 3 day orientation in Tel Aviv
• Food provisions for cooking
• Transportation to project (one way)
• Professional training & supervision
Price doesn't include
• Flights to Israel
• You are required to purchase full travel and health insurance
• Personal expenses (i.e. alcohol, clothes, etc…)
Nearest airport
BenGurion Airport, Tel Aviv
Meeting point
16:00 on August 14th at the Old Jaffa Hostel, Tel Aviv
How do I register?
Stage 1: If you would like to join this project, please complete the application form and submit it to GoEco.
Stage 2: Once we receive your application form, GoEco will evaluate your suitability for the project that you have chosen. At the same time, we will check the availability of dates. (When completing your registration form, it is advisable to indicate a second and third choice in case your first choice is fully booked or the dates requested are not available). Once GoEco receives confirmation of your acceptance to the project, we will notify you immediately by email.
Stage 3: Once you have been accepted on a project and we have answered any additional queries that you may have, you will be asked to send a deposit of €120 in order to reserve your place within 7 days. This deposit is non-refundable.
Stage 4: After receiving your deposit, GoEco will send you a Disclaimer
form and a Declaration form as well as a file containing all the relevant information about the project, including recommended ways to reach the site. You should return the two forms, duly signed, by mail to our office. Only upon the receipt of these forms, will we be able to complete the registration process.
Stage 5: The balance of the project fee must be transferred to GoEco no later than 60 days before the commencement of the project.
General note: It is important for you to know that during the registration process and the duration of the project, the GoEco team is always on hand to answer your questions and offer any assistance needed.
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