14 Short-Term Volunteer Projects in Palestine: Participating in a short-term volunteer project can be an enriching and impactful experience. You can make a significant difference in the lives of others while simultaneously honing your own abilities and broadening your horizons by devoting your time and effort to a cause you care about.
Some organizations require a volunteering commitment of 6-12 months or even longer, which can be too big a commitment for some prospective volunteers. However, if you wish to volunteer abroad, numerous organizations are offering overseas volunteer opportunities lasting from a few days to a few weeks or a few months.
Table of Contents
Advantages Of Short-Term Volunteering
A significant advantage of finding short-term volunteer work is that it offers flexibility for people with busy schedules or only a limited time period in which to volunteer. Even if you are busy with a job, school, or other obligations, you can still make a significant contribution by volunteering for a short while.
By undertaking a brief volunteer assignment, you can see if a cause or organization is the appropriate fit for you. Volunteering for a while can provide valuable insights into a particular field or subject, helping you decide if it’s something you wish to pursue for a longer duration in the future.
Short-Term Volunteering In Palestine
Palestine is a beautiful and intriguing country in the Middle East with warm and hospitable people; however, it is widely misunderstood and misrepresented. Many people around the world have either never heard of Palestine or have an idea in their heads that is entirely false, due to the misinformation they have been told. So, by coming to Palestine to visit or volunteer, you will completely change your perspective and learn a great deal.
To enter Palestine, visitors and volunteers can generally obtain an Israeli tourist visa upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv or at an Israeli land border shared with Egypt or Jordan. This gives you 90 days to travel or volunteer in Israel and Palestine, giving you sufficient time to find worthwhile short-term volunteer initiatives to join and make a difference in the world.
Why Join A Short-Term Volunteer Project In Palestine?
It can be an extraordinary and life-changing experience to join a short-term volunteer project in Palestine. Volunteering in Palestine can provide you with the chance to learn more about the local way of life, traditions, and political climate in a culturally and historically significant country.
Participating in a short-term volunteer program can also help you meet like-minded people from other cultures and backgrounds, which fosters the development of a diverse and encouraging community. You may even make lifelong friends, a future spouse, or valuable professional connections. Furthermore, volunteering in Palestine can present an opportunity to have a constructive impact in a society that confronts many difficulties and barriers, especially as a result of being under occupation.
What Kind Of Short-Term Volunteer Initiatives Are Available?
Volunteers can participate in a range of activities through short-term volunteer projects in Palestine, including environmental efforts, community development projects, humanitarian aid, medical volunteering, working with Palestinian refugees, olive harvesting with local families, and teaching English.
There are many other volunteer opportunities available in the West Bank in Palestine, and no matter what your areas of interest or expertise are, with the proper organization or connections, you can find volunteer work right for you. Participating in these initiatives or starting new ones can provide a worthwhile way to support an essential and righteous cause while simultaneously learning new skills and obtaining practical experience.
Short-Term Volunteering In Summer
The summer months from June until September are the most popular time for volunteering, as this is when many people have free time, whether they are current students, teachers, professionals, or retirees. During these months, Engage in Palestine hosts many volunteers in our short-term summer volunteer programs, which range from 1 to 13 weeks and can be started throughout the summer.
This means summer is an excellent time to volunteer because not only will you get to enjoy the warm weather and make the most of your summer break in a meaningful way, but you will also get to meet many new people and friends. You will also have the opportunity to learn some Arabic, immerse yourself in Palestinian culture, join us on various trips in and around Hebron, and enjoy free time to explore and travel with your new friends. Additionally, if you are a current university student seeking academic credit for your volunteer work experience, we can provide this for you.
Duration of Short-Term Volunteer Projects
All of our short-term volunteer programs are flexible in duration and timing. You can choose whether to volunteer for as little as one week or as long as 13 weeks. We have a 13-week maximum duration due to the 90-day limit of the Israeli tourist visa that allows you to volunteer in Palestine. In addition to this, volunteers are free to choose their own start and end dates all year-round.
14 Short-Term Volunteer Projects In Palestine
Here you can see which short-term volunteer projects in Palestine are available.
1. Volunteer in the West Bank Program
Volunteer in the West Bank: Join us at Engage in Palestine and explore our diverse range of volunteer and internship programs! Any program you choose will have many people needing support, and your influence on the Palestinian communities will be unforgettable. The kind people of Palestine make the opportunity a fantastic and welcoming experience.
Take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to meet Palestinian people, experience their daily lives, learn Arabic, and gain a unique perspective of the Israel-Palestinian conflict firsthand! Your role as an international volunteer or intern can significantly improve Palestinians’ prospects in various ways, including teaching English, organizing community activities, raising awareness, and informing the world that Palestine is not portrayed as mainstream media sources commonly depict it.
Because of the occupation, Palestinians have not always had the opportunity to offer the world an authentic portrayal of their culture, and they are all keen to share their expertise and encourage international visitors to participate in Palestinian culture. Your experience with us will be fulfilling and gratifying! We offer opportunities throughout the year, with durations ranging from one week to three months, available in all seasons and months.
2. Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees
Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees: This program caters to undergraduate and graduate students, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, retirees, and anyone interested in engaging with the work concerning Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Palestine. Getting involved in refugee assistance presents an excellent opportunity for university students and recent graduates seeking to gain experience in the human rights field.
Through this project in the West Bank, volunteers will have the opportunity to work with Palestinian children, women, and youths to enhance each other’s skills, create mutual understanding, engage in language exchange, and make a difference in each other’s lives.
The Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees in the West Bank program is open to individuals between the ages of 18 and 70. People from all countries and majors are welcome to join this program. There are no specific degree requirements. All that is required is a willingness to participate and help.
3. The Palestinian Women’s Rights Program
The Palestinian Women’s Rights Program in the West Bank is a volunteer initiative that allows international visitors to visit Palestine and gain exclusive insight into women’s rights in the West Bank. Located in the vibrant city of Hebron, the project provides participants with many opportunities to meet Palestinian women, visit women’s rights organizations, and engage in educational and cultural activities.
Aimed at educating international participants about the current power dynamics of women in Palestinian society, you will get involved with volunteering with Palestinian women by promoting their rights and empowering them in all spheres of life, including the family, the workplace, and politics, all whilst ensuring they are safe from violence, exploitation, and discrimination.
Altogether, this volunteer program will enable you to gain awareness about gender equality in Hebron (one of the most conservative cities in Palestine) whilst also allowing you to study and practice Arabic, meet other internationals, and experience Palestinian daily life.
4. Media and Journalism in Palestine Program
The Media and Journalism volunteer program in the West Bank is ideal for anyone interested in giving Palestinians a voice on the global stage. As a volunteer, you will help raise awareness of circumstances within the West Bank while also learning about ethical journalistic practices. Although this program would suit many potential volunteers, seasoned and aspiring journalists are especially encouraged to apply.
This volunteer program in the West Bank, Palestine, would also interest students of journalism, mass communication, media studies, communications, political science, English, social work, and other related fields. Recent graduates will welcome the opportunity to gain real-world experience from this program, as cross-cultural communication, travel within the Middle East, and Arabic language acquisition are all highly valued by prospective employers.
During the Media and Journalism program, you will be responsible for conducting video interviews with local Palestinians and writing articles encapsulating the Palestinian refugee experience. You will also participate in center-led activities and become familiar with Palestinians’ daily lives and human rights situations.
5. Volunteer to Teach English in the West Bank
The Volunteer to Teach English in the West Bank program offers an eye-opening experience for those who want to visit Palestine and engage with Palestinian youth, children, women, refugees, and community members in Hebron. Volunteers will teach English to Palestinian students at the Engage in Palestine Center or local community development centers, Palestinian local schools, governmental or non-governmental organizations, and refugee camps.
Additionally, participants will actively immerse themselves in Palestinian culture, daily life, politics, and regional situations. Engage in Palestine hosts volunteers and interns from around the world year-round. This involvement allows you to meet international colleagues at the Center, travel throughout Palestine, and collaborate in teaching English. You will also participate in various social, educational, cultural, and community development activities in Hebron.
Suppose you aspire to pursue a career in TESOL, TESL, TEFL, or related English language teaching roles. In that case, this internship program provides an outstanding opportunity to acquire practical experience and bolster your English teaching skills.
6. Volunteer with Palestinian Children
Volunteer With Palestinian Children Program offers students, professionals, retirees, and teachers an excellent opportunity to work directly with Palestinian children in the West Bank. It welcomes anyone interested in volunteering or interning, regardless of their first language.
Those interested in childhood education can benefit from volunteering or interning with children in Palestine. Participants are immersed in Palestinian culture, daily life, politics, human rights, and education.
Volunteers can join our program for 1 to 13 weeks, with flexible start and end dates year-round. All backgrounds and nationalities are welcome to apply, but participants must be at least 18.
As a volunteer or intern in Hebron, West Bank, you will meet many Palestinian children eager to interact with visitors. Supporting their growth positively impacts their well-being and the future of their country, making a difference in both their lives and yours.
7. Palestinian Community Development Program
The Volunteer in Palestinian Community Development Program in the West Bank offers a unique opportunity for students, undergraduates, teachers, and others seeking to volunteer or intern in Palestinian community development organizations in Palestine and Israel. If you wish to help Palestinian children and youth, refugees in refugee camps, and other community members in and around Hebron, West Bank, this program is for you. As a volunteer, you will be immersed in Palestinian culture whilst meeting new people (from Palestine and abroad), studying Arabic, and making a difference in people’s lives.
The Palestinian Community Development Volunteer and Internship Program has an essential impact on the Palestinian community. Through this program, you can help empower community members to develop themselves personally, professionally, and economically. At the same time, volunteers gain valuable experience in their personal development by running seminars, giving lectures, offering employment advice, and building interpersonal relationships within the local Palestinian community.
8. Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine
Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine: You are invited to join us at Engage in Palestine and volunteer in our Environment and Conservation program, aimed at teaching Palestinian youth, refugees, and children about the importance of preserving the environment. In the West Bank, Palestine, there is a pressing need for such programs, as many residents of Hebron are unaware of the harmful effects of littering and environmental neglect on their own lands and streets.
This volunteer program is an excellent opportunity for students, graduates, and travelers interested in the environment and conservation in the West Bank. If you’re a university student looking for an environment and conservation program abroad to supplement your studies during your summer break, this program is ideal for you.
By joining our volunteer program in the West Bank, you will have the chance to share your passion for the environment and conservation while experiencing Palestinian daily life and learning about Palestinian culture firsthand. We offer our participants three hours of complimentary Arabic Classes each week, taught one-to-one or in small groups of two to three students, and accommodation during their stay.
9. Volunteer in a Sports Project in Palestine
Volunteer in a Sports Project in Palestine: Since its establishment in 2011, Engage in Palestine has maintained high standards in English language teaching with the help of numerous international volunteers. However, to meet the increasing demand for diverse programs, we are excited to introduce a new series of volunteer programs, including the Volunteer in a Sports Project in Palestine.
This volunteer program in the West Bank offers a unique opportunity for current students, postgraduates, gap year students, professionals, teachers, retirees, and anyone interested in sports-related fields to volunteer with the local Palestinian community. As a volunteer, you can share your passion and expertise by organizing workshops, lectures, sporting tournaments, training sessions, summer camps, and more for Palestinian youth.
The Volunteer in a Sports Project in Hebron program is ideal for individuals with a strong interest and background in sports or related fields. Through this program, you can develop your activities and contribute to the local Palestinian community while gaining personal and professional development opportunities and having fun.
10. Volunteer With Orphanages in Palestine
Volunteer With Orphanages in Palestine: Hebron City, in the Occupied West Bank, is home to several orphanages that provide essential care and support to thousands of Palestinian children who have lost one or both of their parents. The high number of orphans in the region is largely due to ongoing conflict, military occupation, economic hardship, and limited access to healthcare. Some children lose their parents to direct violence, such as military raids, airstrikes, and clashes. Others are caused by the impact of long-term instability, including imprisonment of family members, displacement, or lack of access to health services.
There are approximately 7,000 orphans in and around Hebron city, ranging from infants to young adults. These orphanages provide essential services such as housing, education, medical care, and psychological support to children without stable family situations. They often rely on funding from local charities, international donors, and religious organizations to support their operations. Some orphanages also function as social enterprises, operating businesses like kitchens and grocery stores to generate income and further support their work.
11. Volunteer In A Technology Program In Palestine
Volunteer In A Technology Program In Palestine: The Volunteer in Technology Program in Palestine offers a unique chance to share your technical expertise with Palestinian children, refugees, students, and community members in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine, while immersing yourself in Palestinian culture and life. As technology increasingly shapes our world, this program allows volunteers to share their knowledge in computing, coding, programming, editing, and any other area of technological proficiency.
The program is available to anyone over 18 years old. It does not require any special qualifications, making it an open opportunity for anyone interested in traveling to the Israel/Palestine region and learning Arabic while living with Palestinians and immersing themselves in the culture. This flexible and open-ended project allows volunteers to come to the West Bank year-round.
12. Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages
Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages: This program offers an excellent opportunity for individuals of all ages, from students to retirees, to work directly with Palestinian communities in villages and rural areas of the West Bank, including Dura and the Hebron Hills, such as Masafer Yatta, Susya, Umm Al-Khayr, the Al-Fawwar refugee camp, and Bani Na’im. Volunteers will collaborate with Palestinian children, youth, women, and refugees to enhance their skills and participate in educational and recreational activities.
Volunteers will also learn Arabic to communicate with the locals and visit sites of Palestinian cultural and historical significance in and around Hebron city. This program is an excellent opportunity to deepen their understanding of daily life in Palestinian communities, security challenges, and resilience under occupation.
13. Music And Arts In The West Bank
Volunteer in Music and the Arts in the West Bank: Music is perhaps the most diverse form of self-expression in the world and is one of the best modes of cultural exchange and learning. As volunteers in Music and Arts In The West Bank, Palestine, participants will engage with the culture of Palestine while also sharing their own expression of culture through music and art.
This volunteer program in Palestine is perfect for those with an active interest in the arts, cross-cultural interaction, and exploring Palestinian art forms. It also promotes shifts in public opinion through cultural diplomacy. The Volunteer in Music and Arts In The West Bank Program is also available for academic credit, so university students are especially encouraged to apply.
This volunteer opportunity spans from one week to three months (13 Weeks) year-round (Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring). Our volunteer programs in Hebron, West Bank, provide you with the chance to work in a fascinating and energetic environment. They are designed to be immersive, genuine, and complete.
14. Medicine and Healthcare In The West Bank
The Medicine and Healthcare Program in the West Bank will suit many potential volunteers, including medical professionals, pre-med students, medical school students, or those considering a healthcare career. Under the supervision of local professionals, volunteers will gain valuable experience with the Palestinian healthcare system, local hospitals’ work, and local universities’ medical and healthcare specializations.
Engage in Palestine is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible volunteer and internship programs in Hebron, West Bank. Our programs are designed for both native and non-native English speakers who are eager to contribute to the Palestinian community while learning Arabic. We offer diverse programs, including healthcare, medicine, public health, and Palestinian healthcare initiatives in the West Bank.
Our Medicine and Healthcare In The West Bank program warmly welcomes individuals of all English-speaking backgrounds, whether they are undergraduates, graduates, professionals, or retired individuals. This program presents a remarkable opportunity for anyone interested in volunteering in Palestine, the West Bank, Israel, the Middle East, or the broader Arabic-speaking world.
The Highlights Throughout Your Volunteer Program In Palestine
What can you expect throughout your short-term volunteer project with Engage in Palestine? Please keep reading to learn about some of the highlights of volunteering with us.
- Growing new friendships with other volunteers or interns, as well as students, visitors, local Palestinian residents, and Engage in Palestine’s staff
- Living in the fascinating city of Hebron and getting to experience it on a more intimate level than most tourists do
- Immersing yourself in Palestinian culture, Palestinian Arabic, and daily life
- Experiencing the hospitality of Palestine by participating in Engage in Palestine’s activities, and during your free time
- Learning Arabic for the first time or continuing your Arabic learning journey, with many opportunities to practice and have conversations with local Palestinians
- Engage in Palestine’s center is staffed by highly qualified and attentive Arabic and English teachers with excellent educational backgrounds, who are eager and enthusiastic to assist you.
- Gaining firsthand experience of one of the most politically complex and dynamic regions in the Middle East
- Gaining a deep understanding of the refugee situation in Palestine and the West Bank
- Participating in a range of educational, social, and community activities organized by us to provide a space for locals, Palestinian refugees, volunteers, and interns to meet, socialize, and learn
- Going on group excursions and visits arranged by us to a range of different culturally, politically, or historically significant sites, such as the old city in Hebron, Al-Shuhada Street, the keffiyeh factory, a glass and ceramics factory, refugee camps, human rights organizations, local artists, and much, much more
- Arranging weekend trips to travel in your free time with your fellow volunteers or interns to exciting nearby destinations such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarem, Qalqilyah, Jenin, the Dead Sea, Jericho, Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, Masada, Amman, Aqaba and Wadi Rum.
- Program fees cover guided tours and activities, Arabic language tuition, accommodation, breakfast, and 24/7 program assistance from pre-departure to the end of your program.
- Upon completion of your internship or volunteer program, Engage in Palestine will provide you with a certificate.
We Aim To Make A Long-Term Difference
Through all of the programs that we run from our center in Hebron, we aim to make a long-term difference for both the local Palestinian community and you through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. We ensure that all of our programs are well researched and targeted so that they have a tangible impact and effectively foster shared learning. Volunteering or interning in the West Bank is not only a unique experience, but it’s a way to have a genuine impact on the lives of Palestinians, both within the broader community and on your own.
Volunteer With Palestinian Refugees
While Engage in Palestine offers a specific volunteer program for anyone with an interest or passion in working with refugees and making a meaningful impact, all of our internships and volunteer programs offer the chance to work with Palestinian refugees and learn about their situation.
Palestinian Refugees In The West Bank, Gaza, and Diaspora
The ongoing Occupation has created a very significant refugee population both inside Palestine and outside of Palestine. Palestinian refugees are not only the largest group of refugees in the world, but are also the most prolonged suffering. About 64% of Gaza’s population and 26% of the West Bank’s population are internally-displaced Palestinians who are initially from other areas in historic Palestine, such as Yaffa, Haifa, and Al-Naqab.
In the diaspora, there are around 7 million Palestinians, most of whom are exiled and denied their right of return to their homeland by Israel. Many refugees in the diaspora are still living in refugee camps in Syria, Jordan, or Lebanon. In our programs, we focus on Palestinian refugees residing in Hebron governorate and the surrounding area.
Opportunities To Engage With Palestinian Refugees
In all of our short-term volunteer projects and internships, volunteers and interns will have the opportunity to engage with Palestinian refugees in the local Hebron area in refugee camps such as Al-Fawwar and Al-Aroub camps. Participants will have the chance to visit a refugee camp and work on projects and initiatives that positively impact the lives of Palestinian refugees living there.
These projects might include teaching English to refugee children or running workshops to enhance the employability of refugee youth and students. It could also include meeting with the local community to learn about their situation and ways in which you can help, or a range of other activities. If you have specific initiatives or activities you wish to implement during your program, we are always open to your ideas.
Children in Palestine
Nearly half (43.9%) of the Palestinian population inside of Palestine is made up of children under the age of 18, 41.7% in the West Bank, and 47.3% in Gaza. This means that there are many young people in Palestine who not only have all the pressure of growing up, but they are growing up under Israeli occupation. Palestinian children are the future, so it is imperative to care about them, support their development, and empower them to create better futures for themselves and for their country.
Reviews and Awards
Summary
Engage in Palestine, located in Hebron in the West Bank, offers a variety of short-term volunteer programs for people interested in cultural exchange, community service, and learning about Palestine. These volunteer projects, which can last anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks, allow volunteers to work alongside local Palestinians and their fellow volunteers on various initiatives throughout the year.
Some of the short-term volunteer projects in Palestine include teaching English to Palestinian students, supporting women’s rights, engaging in community development initiatives, working on medical and healthcare projects, learning about human rights, and much more. Accommodation, daily breakfast, and Arabic lessons are included for all volunteers as well as a range of cultural activities and visits to the local area to allow volunteers to immerse themselves in Palestinian culture and daily life.
Overall, short-term volunteering with Engage in Palestine, no matter which program you choose, will be a unique change to develop your skills, gain valuable volunteer work experience, learn about Palestinian culture, and learn Arabic, all while making a positive impact on the local Palestinian community.
We hope to receive an application from you for short-term volunteering with us soon!
Contact Us
Tags: Palestine short-term volunteering opportunities, short-term volunteer programs in the West Bank, Volunteer Opportunities in Palestine
