With your help and trust was it possible to make our experience in Israel happen.

Lena Rottinger, Germany; Diana Rodriguez, Colombia;  Jenny Poloche, Argentina; Nadine Preuss, Germany

If I count correctly it is the 7th year that you have been taking care of me as a volunteer. Amazing…. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hassle you have to go to for our sake. I really appreciate it so much.

Lydia Trachsel, Switzerland

Thank you for finding me a place to do my practicum and thank you for helping me with my visa, for I know that is not always easy.

Birgitte Wagner, Denmark

Thanks a lot for helping us always and making things possible and comfortable for us. I really appreciate all your work.

Valentin Buech, Germany

Rarely in my life have I worked with such nice people as at AKIM-Jerusalem… I remember you taking me in your nice car and the good Jewish music that was playing on your radio.

I had nothing but good vibrations far away from intolerance, injustice, insecurity, exploitation etc.

Michel Hery, France

Most people don´t know what the word “volunteering” really means. Well, let me tell you…it means giving of yourself to give over to others. You take the best of you and give it to others who need it most. You choose to help others and in return you get a big smile, which is worth more than anything in the world. That is one of the many things I learnt during my experience as a volunteer, guided by Miriam. She herself gives up so much for us. Thank you, Miriam for giving us so much and taking such good care of us. For being our leader, our mother, our guide, our friend. This wonderful experience would not have been the same without you!

Diana Lopez, Colombia

After grammar school I spent a year volunteering at AKIM Jerusalem. Already before the journey had started, Miriam was there to welcome me via e-mail and to make sure I would be prepared when I arrived. Throughout the year, Miriam was not only the volunteers´ coordinator, but someone to come to whenever having any question or personal trouble. She was very dedicated to being a person of trust to the volunteers.

Johannes Weymar, Germany

Nach dem Abitur verbrachte ich ein Jahr als Volontär bei AKIM Jerusalem. Bereits vor meiner Ankunft in Israel hieß mich Miriam per E-Mail willkommen und traf alle Vorbereitungen, so dass ich bestens vorbereitet war. Das ganze Jahr über war Miriam nicht nur in ihrer Funktion als Koordinatorin der Volontäre tätig, sondern stand einem auch sonst immer bei Fragen oder persönlichen Problemen bei. Sie war voll und ganz als Vertrauensperson für die Volontäre da.

Since I come from Africa it was not that easy to get a volunteer placement here in Israel. However, things got much more easy when I turn to the website and search for volunteering in The Holy Land. After searching different volunteer organization on the website I eventually found AKIM-Jerusalem (Organization catering for intellectually and physically disabled people of all ages) so I wrote an email to Miriam telling her that I would appreciate if I can get an invitation to volunteer in their organization.

Miriam sent me an email with all the requirements needed to be accepted as a volunteer.. but she also said to me since I come from Africa and there have never been volunteers from East Africa,  she would try to help. I waited for more than half a year as I was the first person to come from Kenya to volunteer in Israel. I was lucky to get accepted. I print out the letter and I couldn’t believe this, In the first place I showed my friends who thought that it was a scam!

Now all this process from the time I started in my country ’till I ended up here in Israel was only through the immeasurable and great assistance of Miriam. Wherever I faced any difficulty while I was going through all this process Miriam was there to help me. And also while we are volunteering our time and effort here in Jerusalem, if we want anything we always turn to her.

On behalf of all the volunteers, Miriam, you are of great importance not only to us volunteers but also to the whole land of Israel and to those who are looking forward to getting volunteer placements here in Israel (Haaretz).

Francis Langat, Kenya