Cross the border and you learn the Arab opinion on the troubles that have long affected this part of the world.Time on a kibbutz offers you an affordable, valuable and rewarding way to live in another country.. Shalom Kibbutzim

How were the kibbutzim first started and why?After 1967, Israel found herself with a lot more territories. Doesn’t matter here about the political issues, whether you are on the left or the right. My point of view, and that of most of my members on the kibbutzim, is that the Middle East conflict is negotiable; we need to speak about a solution that will bring peace and order to the Middle East.Before the Eighties, kibbutzim were the leaders of agriculture in Israel and they needed a lot of workers to help in the fields. Over the years, the combination of travelling, working and leisure time made volunteer work become time to be with yourself.

You learn about yourself, how to deal with a new, communal style of life.How are the kibbutzim organised today?The organisation of the kibbutz is that everyone has the same needs, depending on the income each kibbutz can find You find rich kibbutzim and not so rich kibbutzim. In the beginning it was a movement, now we speak of each kibbutz needing to co-exist with their sources of income. Today the kibbutzim have become more and more privatised in an adjustment to the external world.Has the work changed as a result?Of course Now we have factories, social workers and sport with kids. In terms of numbers, I would say that half the volunteers work outside in agriculture and half work inside in the community, gardening, doing sport and so on.What kind of programmes do you offer?For this generation, the best thing is that you can choose more. You can now work in a more professional capacity, from working with computers to working in chemical factories.We offer three kinds of programme The basic is to come and be a volunteer. We take volunteers from all over the world and they get sent to one of the kibbutzim This is the traditional programme The second is a skills programme. If, for example, to finish your degree you need some kind of work experience or internship, or if you have a particular ability to offer, you can ask if you want, say, farming or social work with the disabled and elderly.

The third is a technology programme, involving work with computers.How can young people prepare themselves for being a volunteer?First, you need to understand that you are going to another country. You must be aware that in Israel there are clashes between the Israelis and the Palestinians.Second, you need to be sure you are ready to work at a very simple level. Another thing I ask young people is whether they are aware of the barriers that they will face. The language barrier, a mentality barrier, another story of civilization, culture.