Aviators' Club
The pilots inspire children to strive for excellence and be better students, citizens and leaders of their society. Engaging in various activities together with the pilots children gain self confidence and merits of persistence, responsibility and respect.
In addition to the pilots, the Aviators’ Club's children are being fostered by a charismatic mentor who is there for them day and night, on and off the school premises. They see him as an older brother and a strong positive role model.
The results:
• 85% growth in children’s grades, especially in STEM,
• 100% elimination of violence in schools
• Dramatic improvement in classroom atmosphere.
The great change of atmosphere on the school grounds affects not only the students themselves and their own futures, but also the entire school. In addition to the academic improvement, the second year students assume responsibility for the first year young aviators.
The project won an award for “The Best Volunteering Program in the IDF” by the Commander-in-Chief, Major General Gabi Ashkenazi. The commander-in-Chief declared it the leading IDF project for community outreach to be implemented by all elite units.
Aviators club was also recognized as “The Best Educational Program” by the Northern District of the Ministry of Education.
The project now serves 200 students in 9 schools, and tens more wait to join the program.
History
The Aviators Club was initially founded by a fighter pilot in one of the schools in the northern town of Israel, Migdal ha-Emek. The pilot was asked by the school principle to give a lecture to the students, telling them about the Air Force. He refused the invitation, looking to influence more profoundly, and instead asked the principle to put together a group of children who would most benefit from a close mentoring program.
He then brought on pilots from a neighboring Air Force base to assume responsibility for the young adolescents, believing the pilots would serve as role models for the children and encourage them to excel in their everyday life.
Later Reuven Tsemah joined the project and brought along his academic knowledge alongside his experience growing up in the neighborhood. Having so much in common with the kids, Rueven was the perfect mentor and example of overcoming the hardship of the tough childhood and becoming successful. He developed this theoretical model and wrote his PhD on how to encourage the children to excel. together with the school principle, Neomi Badrian and the Ramat David pilot they implemented the model in school. The success was instant and lasting. The entire school environment changed for the better.