| After Africa: Jeneration and Social Action |
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In July 2010 Jeneration took a group of nine participants on a two week volunteer trip to Kenya. The two week volunteering programme involved the redecoration of classrooms, preparation of food and teaching English in a disadvantaged school and at an orphanage where many children had lost parents due to HIV/AIDS.
Jeneration recognised a growing trend in students participating in social action projects, expressing a concern for inequalities in the wider world and a desire to actively make a difference. These activities range from raising awareness and fund raising to lengthy summer volunteer placements in ‘developing countries. We noted that there were no short term programmes available for students wishing to take part in shorter ‘taster’ trips and felt that this was a gap in the market which Jeneration might be in a position to fill. We also noted a desire to act in a Jewish context exemplified by the excellent work of organisations such as Tzedek. As a result, Jeneration put together a two week programme with Frontier. We were keen that the trip should include a mix of travel, volunteering and education, all in a solid Jewish context in order to make it as rich and rewarding an experience as possible. The trip was a great success. The group bonded extremely well, making a real impact in the communities visited and we instilled in our participants a desire to continue to support the organisations we worked with when we returned home. Why should Jeneration be involved in this kind of work? Jeneration believes that part of taking Judaism seriously is being committed to constantly growing and learning. One of the best ways to do this is to take yourself out of your comfort zone, away from home, experiencing different countries, cultures and languages using it as an opportunity to reflect on yourself as a Jew and a human being. Transformative learning often takes place when we are in unfamiliar or uncomfortable environments. Educational travel is not the same as going on holiday. While the destinations may be the same, the purposes are quite different. A Jeneration trip helps our participants to learn something about themselves that will enhance their daily lives - and indeed after they return. An important aspect of engaging in this kind of work with Jeneration is that the social action, social and Jewish elements of the experience are fully integrated with participants viewing the trip as a Jewish social action trip. One participant decided to continue volunteering in Kenya for a additional two weeks. The volunteers formed solid social bonds and made a commitment to support the projects that inspired them in Kenya. The group formed a fundraising committee, named ‘Tuskys’ after the local supermarket they frequently visited whilst staying in Kenya. The Tuskys Committee has so far raised over £2000 by running events in London, Leeds and Nottingham, writing articles in their local synagogue magazines and encouraging friends and family to make donations on the Tuskys Just Giving page. Their most ambitious event to date was the High Rollers charity club night, held in London in March 2011 when the group raised over £1000 in one night. Dan Rickman, Jeneration Project Fieldworker, who organised the trip to Kenya said: "I am incredibly proud of the on-going achievements of Tuskys and feel privileged to have been part of what was a powerful experience for us all. Jeneration seeks to equip and empower people on their Jewish journey, a journey they make on their own terms in a way that is meaningful for them and the Tuskys' work is a great example of this and of the impact our programmes can make". |
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