In 2013, March 17-28, seven teens from The Ellis School, Shadyside Academy and Sewickley Academy spent their spring break working at The Children’s Village in Karmi’el, Israel — part of the Classrooms Without Borders’ International Teen Service Trip. The Children’s Village is home to about 275 underprivileged children who live in mispachtons, or family units, of 12 children each. Each Pittsburgh teen was assigned to work with one family unit.
Residents of the Children’s Village certainly benefited from the American teens’ visit, but for these seven Pittsburgh teens who chose to not spend their hard-earned break relaxing, there was a lasting impact and reward. They have learned that other people are not as fortunate as they are, and that helping others in need rejuvenates the mind and heart far better than sprawling on a Florida beach. They have absorbed the illuminating reality of how privileged their lives really are in America, and how they can and must work for a better world.
Instead of sleeping in, they spent their time in service to others. They prepared for the trip months in advance by seeking donations, collecting clothing and other supplies, and raising funds for the Village kids. Molly Bair, for example, sold jars of her homemade jelly — $500 worth!
“The way other girls talked about the Village and what a special place it was inspired me to find out more,” Molly said before her departure. “I’m hoping that the result of this trip will be a deeper understanding of a place different from my own. You can read about the Village as much as you want, but it’s never going to be the same as actually being there — seeing, hearing, and knowing the kids by face and name. As the world becomes a global community, new experiences like this–traveling to far and different places–are crucial to my education, my growing up, and my preparedness.”
As she prepared for her journey to Israel, another student, Amanda McLeod, said, “The Children’s Village is drawing me back for a third time because of how extraordinary the kids are. Children in the Village grow up without a conventional family structure, so they appreciate the small things that I commonly take for granted — a simple ‘Love you’ or word of praise for doing well on a test at school. I have chosen to go back because I feel as though my job there is not finished. These children energize me. To provide them with clothes, shoes, and a little love and encouragement not only makes an impact on their hearts, but on mine.”
Among other useful cargo, 350 pairs of sunglasses (donated by the Pepper family) went to the Village. The group was shepherded by CWB Executive Director Tsipy Gur, board member Laura Kronk, and Sewickley Academy teacher, Jerilyn Scott. Jerilyn’s account of the trip, excerpted below, shows just how powerful this experience was for all who participated — herself, the teens, the Village children, and their families:
The trip began early in the morning of March 17 as we wrestled 24 huge suitcases full of donations into the United terminal of the Pittsburgh airport. The stuffed suitcases repre-sented months of student fundraising and drives to collect shoes and winter clothing for the children of the Village. Each student also brought personal gifts for the children in her particular mispachton, the group of 12 with whom she would be working.
This took courage. Imagine being dropped off alone in an unfamiliar country, in a home of strangers who speak a language you don’t speak, and being expected to feel comfort-able, make friends, and get to work. In spite of initial trepidation, the American students did just that.
The first several days were all about spending time with the children and teens from the Village — ice skating, pedal boating, and visiting an amusement park. After only 24 hours together, it was clear that real relationships were beginning to form. A gazebo provided by Amanda McLeod’s family for her mispachton was dedicated in a ceremony. An eleven-year-old girl named Natali received a grant for braces on her teeth from the Zoffer family of Pittsburgh.
We treated the teenagers from the Village to a movie night. After the movie, by the time we took over the food court for falafel, the most outgoing of the American and Village kids were sitting together, tentatively questioning each other about movies, music, and entertainment in their respective countries. Every day they grew closer and more at ease with each other. By the final outing of our trip, a five-hour hike in the spectacular Golan Heights, all of the kids mixed freely and boisterously. New friends goaded each other into diving into the freezing pool under a waterfall and took pictures of each other in every possible pose and configuration. Quieter conversations ranged in subject from post-high-school plans for college or the army to thoughtful, respectful explorations of religious and political convictions.
By the time we said our final goodbyes to the kids at the Children’s Village, everyone was in tears as we flooded each other with good wishes, hugs, laughter, and unison choruses of “I love you!” Email addresses were exchanged, notes and drawings were tucked into pockets, and plans were already underway for the next visit. We arrived as strangers, but only days later, we waved goodbye to very special friends. We came to serve the children, but everyone agrees that we received as much as we gave, if not more.
Student Katie Keim, another repeat traveler to the Village this year, worked as a camp counselor there for three weeks last summer. “It’s been an amazing eye-opener,” she said. “When I grow up, my dream is to be able to build one of these children’s villages in a big city in the U.S.”
She took a large part in the fundraising efforts of the kids: speaking at local schools, selling bracelets stamped with “Children’s Village” in Hebrew and English, holding clothes drives and shoe drives, and more. Her grandfather’s restaurant, Ritter’s Diner, collected $2,000 in “spare change,” which she used to purchase duvets, duvet covers and sheets. The kids still need mattresses — a more expensive proposition. That’s next on Katie’s fundraising agenda.
At the Village, she and her fellow teens engaged in activities “that made home feel more homey — things we take for granted,” Katie said. From hip-hop dancing with the kids to accompanying individuals to their required therapy, the students tried to be alert to every request for fun, help, or support. The Village kids have come from trying circumstances; they have known poverty and neglect, and some have been abused. “Befriending and helping even one such child can touch and change you,” Katie reflected, “and reveal more of life to you. It’s amazing how hopeful these kids are.”
Katie concluded: “I live in a bubble of peace, plenty, and security here in Pittsburgh,” she concludes. “I – all people — need to experience the world.”