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Listen to Shuki's Reflections on Being an AMEN Volunteer During and After the War
Shuki was born in the Druze village of Dalyat-el Carmel to an extremely patriotic family. His father was a career soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces and his mother formed an organization to help Druze women understand their husbands' army service. Shuki himself has been a community activist and volunteer since he was in the third grade, serving on the student council of his school and as an active member of his community's scout troupe. In 2005, Amnesty International and AMEN - a Hebrew acronym for Youth Volunteer City - conducted a joint program on human rights in Shuki's high school. Intrigued, Shuki soon became more involved in both programs; attending an Amnesty International Summer Camp and volunteering with AMEN, a JDC program which mobilizes youth and young adults to take a leading role in promoting and participating in local volunteer activity to meet their communities' needs. By engaging youth and young adults to assist others, AMEN infuses them with an awareness of the importance of social responsibility, an awareness that will remain with them throughout their adult lives. It offers a sense of personal achievement and increased self-esteem, while simultaneously improving their communities' quality of life. As an AMEN volunteer, Shuki helps run programs for elementary school children in Dalyat-el Carmel. He also helps collect and distribute food, money and clothing to needy members of his community. Over the year, Shuki's involvement with AMEN grew, and this past summer, Shuki organized a fundraising drive in Dalyat-el Carmel to raise money for the Israeli soldiers fighting in Lebanon. Shuki is set to join the IDF himself in January 2007. A Hug from a Young Child-At-Risk During the War Strengthens His Resolve 
Inspiration for Volunteering and His Efforts During and After the War
October 2006 |
