For many immigrants, service in the IDF is their entry ticket into Israeli society. Corporal Leah Haokip (20) from Sderot serves as a collection fighter in the Eitam Battalion of the Combat Collection Corps.
She immigrated with her family from India 7 years ago and told about her and her family’s coping with the challenges and difficulties of aliyah.
"It was difficult for us to leave the relatives there, but I had a dream from a young age to immigrate to Israel. I dreamed of Jerusalem and wanted to feel it, which is mine. Although sometimes there are difficulties, overall I feel great in the country and have fun here."
After immigrating to Israel, Leah enrolled in the Indian Youth Village, an educational institution that accepts many immigrants from around the world and helps them in the first steps in Israeli society.
She said of the special treatment she received at the school: "Before I came to the youth village, I did not know Hebrew at all. When I started studying there, I was supposed to be in the tenth grade, but I preferred to stay in the class and start from the ninth grade.
"The principals and instructors saw that I needed more help than the other students because of my Hebrew, so they took care of me as a private tutor during all the years I studied there. They asked each teacher to explain the material in English and Hebrew.
She has a sister and two younger brothers, for whom she is a source of inspiration: "My sister is still studying in the Indian Youth Village, where I studied, and she too is thinking of significant service in the IDF."
As is well known, the parent generation takes longer to be absorbed in Israel, especially in terms of learning Hebrew.
In such situations the children function as the right hand of their parents.
"My mother still has a hard time with the language, and when she has an appointment at the health fund or the bank then she needs help and I accompany her."
Although Leah has almost another year and a half of service but she is already looking towards citizenship.
"I like to take pictures, so after graduation I would like to study photography. I would be happy for the army to help me with my driving lessons so that I can have a license."