キブツニュースレター

キブツプログラムセンター(KPC)が2ヶ月に1回、ニュースレターをホームページに載せています。

今月の回に私の体験談が掲載されました。
つたない記事ですがご興味ある方は以下ご覧ください。

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元のページ

We’re happy to share Ryoko Ikeda’s story. Ryoko arrived from Japan, and volunteered in two Kibbutzim:

I joined the Kibbutz program to learn English and volunteer with people from different countries. It isn’t common to use English in daily life in Japan, and not everyone is familiar with other cultures. Yet, I need to speak English with many people from other countries for my job in an IT company. My boss was very interested in Israeli culture so he suggested I check out Israel and improve my English at the same time.

I first stayed in Kibbutz Lahav for two months and then moved to Kibbutz Bar’am for one more. In Lahav, we were a very small group (only 4 volunteers by the time I left), so at first I felt bored because I felt shy. But the Kibbutz members showed and taught us many things: One day my roommate Elisa from Germany took me to a Hebrew lesson in the library. Yoel, a kibbutznik who was a teacher, taught us Hebrew once a week when he had free time. We also started to talk about Israeli history and politics. Studying a different language with other people made me so happy!

Ryoko with Hebrew teacher Yoel and my roommate Elisa from Germany in Kibbutz Lahav

Another great experience was camping in the Negev desert with kibbutz members. They took two volunteers including me for 4WD driving through the desert for two days. We drove from Mitzpe Ramon to the heart of the desert. We camped overnight and had a bonfire. We gathered around the fire and talked about each of our own countries. I loved that silence. The full moon lit up everything so I could see all of the hills at night. Our leader Ronni, who was like our father, took volunteers to see a movie every two weeks, as well as visit the Dead Sea once for swimming and a fancy breakfast and lunch. I floated for four hours because it was so fun! I swam again and again.

But my most favourite time was after work. We gathered to make a fire, cook outside, listen to and play music, drink Israeli beer and wine and sometimes watch movies. Emile was a musician from South Africa who played wonderful songs on his guitar. Today, when I sing one of my favorite songs that he played, it brings back memories of that time. It is a wonderful memory of this Kibbutz.

Ryoko with fellow volunteers in Kibbutz Lahav

Next, I stayed in Bar’am for only one month. I was part of a big volunteer group and it was very organized. All of the Kibbutz members were so friendly to the volunteers. I worked with kind people at some of the Kibbutz’ companies, they cared for us a lot. Lori and Laviv were the volunteer leaders. They love volunteers. I spent a very short time there but I was impressed.

While staying in both of the Kibbutzim, I listened to many types of English accents. It was hard but it was good training for me.

Spending time in a Kibbutz consisted of some hard work and having too much time on your hands. So I used it to share many moments with my friends and have great experiences. Also, my listening skills got better ...

I will definitely recommend the Kibbutz program to people in Japan.

※この記事は2019年8月3日に書かれました。