iSr e

Christian
Volunteers

Israel attracts a dedicated group of
Christians to its hospital wards and
orthopedic centers.

sw.

erusalem — from the
banks of the Jordan
River to the churches of
Bethlehem, to the mud-
treatment facilities along
the Dead Sea, Christians
— pilgrims and sun-wor-
shippers alike — are a
constant presence in
Israel.
A far more inconspicu-
ous presence are the
small yet significant
number of Christian vol-
unteers who leave the
well-trodden path, whose
"itinerary" might include
a physical therapy room
for severely crippled
youngsters, a cooking
class for mentally handi-
capped teens or a neona-
tal unit for premature
infants. Their "stops"
might last weeks,
months or even years.
In fact they have
become almost indis-
pensable in many med-
ical institutions through-
out Israel. Says Britta
Stark, director of volun-
teer services at Misgav
Ladach, Jerusalem's pre-
dominantly maternity
and gynecological hospi-
tal, "They are a vital
complement to our regu-
lar staff and their enthu-
siasm is infectious."
Some come under their
own steam, others
through various youth
and adult exchange pro-
grams or friends organi-
zations. Misgav Ladach
averages about a dozen
volunteers annually, all
Christian and most hail-
ing from Northern
European countries. The
average work week is at
least 40 hours, with the

WZPS photo by Sammy Avn isan

SHELLEY KLEIMAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Helle Jensen of Denmark holds a youngster at the Alyn Orthopedic Hospital.

hospital providing room,
board and approximately
$100 a month in pocket
money.
Volunteers range in
age from 18 to 65. Some
are professionals — doc-
tors, nurses and thera-
pists are registered with
the Ministry of Health —
others are students tak-
ing time off between high
school and university
studies. They stay any-
where from two months
to two years, though
some institutions require
a minimum commitment
of six months.
Jerusalem's
Alyn,
Orthopedic Hospital and
Rehabilitation Center for
Physically Handicapped
Children, has had a
steady influx of up to 17
Christian volunteers a
year for close to a
decade. Entering this
non-profit institution,
one is struck by the
painful realities of a
world in which severely
handicapped children

maneuver through the
halls on crutches and in
wheelchairs. Despite
their smiling faces, it is
a sobering sight.
volunteer
British
Graham Chatea, 19,
spends 8 1/2 hours a day,
five days a week, helping
feed, shower and dress
the youngsters. Planning
a career in medicine, he
seems surprised when
asked if the work is
depressing. "I've become
great pals with the kids
here."
Says Esther Ladror,
director of volunteers at
Alyn, "The volunteers
offer the children
warmth and companion-
ship" — aspects of care
regular staff members
simply do not have time
to provide.
What brings these vol-
unteers to Israel?
Surprisingly, perhaps,
it's Israel's frequently
encountered negative
image which lures so
many of the Christian

volunteers. "I wanted to
see first-hand what the
press is always report-
ing," says Simon Philips,
20, of Great Britain, who
just completed his sec-
ond stint as a volunteer
at Alyn.
For many, religion is
the primary motivation
for volunteering in
Israel. Anye Rake, a pert
woman is her mid-50's,
left Finland 2 1/2 years
ago to volunteer "for a
few months." She is still
there.
"The people who come
are highly motivated:
they have guts and a
`youthful' curiosity
regardless of their age,"
says Stephen Rothchild,
director of community
living arrangements at
Akim, the Association for
the Rehabilitation of
Persons with Mental
Retardation. "And they
play an important, if
unofficial, role in
Jewish-
improving
Christian relations."

❑

0,

C)
CC

57