The conditions for the volunteer

In each kibbutz, a volunteer leader is assigned to the volunteers. The volunteer leader is the volunteer's contact person in the kibbutz. The volunteer leader is in charge of the volunteers in the kibbutz and any request or problem that the volunteers might have they can turn to the volunteer leader. The first day in the kibbutz the volunteer leader meets with the newly arrived volunteers explaining them the daily routines and rules in the kibbutz. The volunteers are taken on a short tour around the kibbutz and the different work branches are explained to them. The volunteers live in rooms with between 2 to 4 people in each room (depending on the kibbutz and the season). Six days a week the volunteers work 7-8 hours a day in the kibbutz. The work is dependent on the availability and the need of the kibbutz, but if possible, the volunteer leader is always willing to try to satisfy the individual requests of the volunteers. The volunteers are free to enjoy the laundry in the kibbutz. The volunteers receive three meals a day in the kibbutz. Every day around noon, the kibbutz population as well as the volunteers are served a hot, delicious and nutritious lunch in the common dinning room. In some kibbutzes the common dinning room serves only breakfast and lunch. In this case, the volunteers are provided with a small kitchen with cooking facilities and groceries to cook dinner for themselves. The volunteers then cook and eat together. Once a month, one-day outings are organized for the volunteers, and each three months a three-day tour is also arranged. The volunteers are free to use the sports facilities of the kibbutz and the swimming pool. In most kibbutzes, a pub and even a disco is arranged for the volunteers and the younger population. The kibbutz insures the volunteers with an ambulant health insurance through the kibbutz. For any situation that demands ambulant health treatment the volunteers can approach the kibbutz' doctor and or nurse. Each month the volunteers are given three free days. Together with the volunteer leader, the volunteers decide when to "use" the free days. An amount of approximately 400 NIS is given to the volunteers every month as pocket money. Upon arrival, the volunteers are asked to leave a deposit in the kibbutz (between 300 to 400 NIS) as security against the kibbutz's belongings that the volunteers use during their stay. The deposit is returned to the volunteers after two months in the kibbutz. According to the law of the State of Israel, the volunteers need to change their visa status at the closest Ministry of Interior. This visa change costs 110 NIS and in most kibbutzes the money is returned to the volunteers after a period of two months. For the visa change, two passport photos are also required. After arriving at the kibbutz the volunteer leader helps the volunteers gain their three month volunteers visa. After this period the visa can be extended for another three month.