Desert Stars
Israel, 2018-2020
By enabling mission-driven young people to realize their leadership potential, Desert Stars strives to empower a new generation of Bedouin leaders to promote their own communities and strengthen Israeli society.
The process
Challenge
The Bedouin community’s traditional value system is challenged by deeply-rooted socioeconomic and educational gaps. Desert Stars is shaping a new generation of leaders in Israel’s Bedouin community to achieve the significant changes required for its future development, while strengthening the fabric of Israeli society in general.
Approach
Working together, Desert Stars’ Jewish and Arab board members create focused leadership and academic programs designed to engage talented youth and young adults from tribes across the Negev Desert region, equipping an emerging generation to set course for the future.
Solution
Desert Stars has developed a comprehensive range of educational and leadership programs aimed at young people of various ages. These include a Leadership High School, and Empowerment Center, a Leadership and Entrepreneurship Incubator and a dedicated Leadership Program for Women.
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In conversation
with Tamer Abu Jaffar, Ahmed Abu Jodar & Diab Abu Sa’aluk
Tamer Abu Jaffar is a Desert Stars participant.
“I feel lucky to be in this program! I received a genuine opportunity to develop my leadership skills and expand the circles of influence in my life. I feel that this program accelerates our ability to bring change to Bedouin society and Israeli society in general.”
Diab Abu Sa’aluk is a Desert Stars participant.
“I always loved doing things beyond my studies. Desert Stars helped me take the first, most important step on the way to my dream – to establish a youth group for Bedouins.”
Ahmed Abu Jodar is a Desert Stars participant.
“In this program I’m learning and progressing in many fields. The meetings at Mitrelli were significant and powerful, meeting unique people and learning from them constantly as they contributed their professional knowledge.”
“I received a genuine opportunity to develop my leadership skills.”