What We Do?

VISION

To empower Jewish young adults to create sustainable change for vulnerable communities around the world. 

MISSION 

Creating sustainable projects in developing communities, while offering a meaningful platform for young Jewish adults from Israel and around the world, to encounter each other explore and encompass what it means to be a "Jewish Activist." 

WHO WE ARE 

The Jewish Agency’s Project TEN is an international development program that operates volunteer centers in developing areas. We bring together young Jewish adults from all over the world, to a program that combines volunteer work with local communities, alongside service-learning in the fields of international development, culture, identity and Jewish activism. This program embodies the essence of Tikkun Olam while teaching Jewish leadership on the ground.

WHERE WE ARE

Project TEN currently operates six volunteer centers in:

• Oaxaca, Mexico
• Gondar, Ethiopia
• Winneba, Ghana
• Durban, South Africa
• Namulanda, Uganda
• Kibbutz Harduf, Israel

WHAT WE STAND FOR

In each of our centers, we work closely with local partners.
First, because we value humility, providing assistance that the community wants. We know that understanding the local culture is a process. We also promote sustainability. We either join our partners’ existing projects, or work with them to create new ones – with an eye toward communal independence.

HOW WE VOLUNTEER

Programs are geared towards volunteers in the 20-35 age group. We offer tracks of 1 month, 3 months and 5 months, as well as summer programs and tailor-made cohorts.

In order to promote sustainability and strengthen the local communities, we initiate projects in three fields:

• Informal education: English as second language, basic computer skills, developing leadership skills, creating youth movements, utilizing sports as a means of education.
• Public Health: Teaching nutrition and hygiene, teaching basic first-aid, de-worming, educating for dental health.
• Agriculture: Creating sustainable and local agriculture, demonstration farms, environmental education in schools through communal school gardens.

• Co-existence (in Israel): Jewish-Arabic Theater studies for high school students; extra help for youth in English, Arabic, and Hebrew; regular meetings of Arab and Jewish children.

WHAT WE LEARN

Participants explore their personal and communal identities in order to have more meaningful encounters with the populations we serve. Our extensive study program is based on three main areas:

• Introduction to International development
• Culture and identity (both local culture and Jewish activism)
• Ongoing training for the volunteer projects

Each component integrates Jewish values with the practical work being done in each TEN Center.

WHERE WE TRAVEL

In addition to being located in unique destinations around the world, participants who come to the TEN Centers will have extensive opportunities to travel locally. The learning component of the program includes trips organized by the Center staff to visit local communities and sites of interest. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to travel independently on a bi-weekly basis.