By:
Penina Romanek
Intern, J-Internship Program
While
interning for ENP, I have learned how forming meaningful relationships can
break through any type of barrier. I was apprehensive at the beginning of
interning because I thought only speaking a little bit of Hebrew would hinder
me in forming connections with the children. However, I have not felt that at
all.
Sharing a common
language is not the foundation in which relationships are built upon. When I
communicate with the children, I smile and show through my body language how
much I care about them. They do the same onto me. One of the best parts of my
day is when I enter the youth center and then hear, “Penina!” coming from the
voices of the girls. The girls then run up to me and give me a hug and even the
boys make a point to show me they remember the songs I taught them on the
piano.
I am so grateful for
the opportunity ENP has given me to be a positive role model and to see the
beauty that is inside each and every child. Seeing them smile and express
themselves is what has made my experience in Israel fulfilling. Just like the
children and I are breaking through language barriers to form meaningful
relationships with one another, Ethiopian-Israeli youth are breaking through
the barriers of coming to a new country. I have the unique opportunity to
witness the youth realize their potentials, and I am so thankful.
