Israela Looks Back: An Interview After ENP
Community
City: Ashkelon
Israela
(21 years old, born in Israel, a participant with ENP in Ashkelon)
What is the story behind your name?
My family all came from Ethiopia, and I was the first one born here. So they called me Israela!
ENP Questions
What Ethiopian National Project programs did you participate in?
7th-8th grades after school, and trips every winter break. We traveled all around the country. I really enjoyed it. We made bonfires.
What is the funniest memory you have of participating in an ENP program?
There were many. When the group came together, there was a lot of yelling—it was often funny.
What challenges did you experience in working with ENP?
It was a challenge to come in every day after school.
What successes did you have?
In Israel we have a Memorial Day when we remember the Ethiopians who died on their journey to Israel. In school, the day was never observed. In 12th grade, my group from ENP all worked together to make the day happen in school—each of us volunteered. In the end, the ceremony did take place in school, and it was beautiful. Afterwards the school continued to hold the ceremony on that day.
What is the most important thing you learned or shared in participation with ENP?
If I want something, I must stand up and get it. Before, I was a lot less proactive. For example, with the ceremony above—I learned that it was possible to do it.
Also, I learned that I could finish school, and I could do the army (combat service in a mixed male and female unit). So that lesson stayed with me.
How has ENP affected your experience in Israel?
Well, I was born here. It affected my time in school, and many other things in my life.
Do you see a difference between your group who graduated from ENP and your Ethiopian friends who didn’t participate?
Definitely, absolutely.
As in what you were saying about the most important thing you learned?
Yes—not stay passive. Yes.
Did you have a lot of female friends in ENP?
I came with two friends. I made more during my volunteer year before the army.
Where do you work right now?
Border security in Hebron. Half an hour from my home in Ashkelon. I enjoy the work—it’s fun for me. But it’s a hard job.
Did you participate in the Army?
Yes. I was a ground soldier in a mixed male and female unit. I served with one of my female friends from ENP.
What is your dream job?
I’d like to be an architect. I’ll study architecture in university, which I’ll apply for either this year by October, or next year.
Personal Questions
Where and when were you born?
Here in Ashkelon, in 1991.
Do you have siblings? What was it like growing up in your household?
I have six sisters, and one brother. There were always a lot of people in my house growing up. It was fun! So much noise.
Do you want a quieter home for yourself in the future?
No. I want a lot of children.
How many kids?
5 kids.
A big family!
Yes, even for Israel.
How would you describe yourself as a child? Were you happy?
I was quiet growing up, but happy, with friends.
How has your life been different than what you’d imagined?
It’s been very different. I didn’t expect to spend the year volunteering before the Army at a Bronco-Weiss school. I also never thought I would serve in my unit in the army.
What is a favorite family story you grew up listening to?
The story of my family’s Aliyah. It was a very hard trip. In 1988, they walked from our home in Ethiopia to Sudan, and from there they flew to Israel with Israel’s special airplanes.
What is something you love about living in Israel?
I don’t know anything else; I’ve lived here all my life.
What is something that you find difficult about living in Israel?
It was hard for my parents to make a life in Israel—it was all new to them, because they didn’t grow up here. We didn’t receive everything that kids in other families received when I was growing up.
What are you proudest of in your life?
My volunteer year—I worked with kids who grew up exactly they way I did. With my help, they progressed in their studies [beyond what they would have done otherwise].
24 July 2013