Israel’s Negev and Galilee comprise 80% of Israel’s territory and produce only 8% of its economy. The allocation of social, educational, cultural and financial resources to these regions has been consistently lacking since the establishment of the State of Israel, and has left communities and cities yearning for development.

Founded in 2002 to undertake this critical strategic challenge, Ayalim Association is committed to bringing to these areas promising young Israelis in order to promote community building and social development.

Here is a short video that can give you a small glimpse of Ayalim’s activities:

The array of social activities operated by Ayalim grew out of the desire to deal with the difficulties that are part and parcel of living in the peripheral areas of the country, which suffer from low priority on the public agenda.

The Ayalim Association sees social involvement as one of the most significant ways for students to connect with their surroundings and their neighbors. The Association therefore acts to foster continuous relationships between the students and various populations in the periphery. It does so by founding student villages in the disadvantaged communities of Israel’s South and North, integrating into the communities and empowering the local population.

Today, there are more than 700 students living in 14 student villages in the Negev and the Galilee. Ayalim’s students commit to giving 500 hours annually and in return they receive not only tuition and subsidised housing, but also a chance to impact the lives of over 20,000 children and youth in the Negev and the Galilee.

Over the past ten years Ayalim has grown tremendously, making its impact felt throughout the country. Maintaining this success has been made possible by the commitment, determination and open hearts of our students, volunteers, partners and friends from home and around the world.

Interested in hearing more? Want to take part and make an impact?
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