6 Community Development Volunteer Programs in Palestine: These programs are a unique opportunity to volunteer within the Palestinian community through partnerships with local organizations. Designed for individuals seeking a meaningful and immersive experience, the program allows participants to work closely with Palestinians in Hebron and its surrounding areas. Whether supporting children, youth, refugees in camps, or other vulnerable groups, volunteers play an essential role in strengthening the resilience and capacity of the local community.
Beyond volunteering, participants gain an authentic understanding of Palestinian life under occupation, experiencing daily realities that go far beyond what is shown in the media. By engaging in educational, cultural, and social initiatives, volunteers not only contribute to the well-being of local communities but also take part in cultural exchange, learning Palestinian traditions, values, and language. These programs offer a rare chance to make a direct impact while building lasting relationships and deepening your knowledge of Palestinian society.
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Empower Community Members
Through this program, you can assist in empowering community members to develop themselves personally, professionally, and economically. Volunteers can make a real difference in many ways for Palestinian people: children, people with disabilities, orphans, Palestinian refugees, school and university students, and the wider community.
Personal Development Opportunities
At the same time, volunteers gain additional valuable experience in their personal development, including running seminars, giving lectures, offering employment advice, and building interpersonal relationships, as well as in the local Palestinian community. As a volunteer, you will be immersed in Palestinian culture while meeting new people from Palestine and abroad, studying Arabic, and making a real difference in the lives of people.
Who Is This Program Most Suitable For?
We welcome anyone to our Community Development Program who has either a strong interest or a competence in economic development, self-development, leadership, communications, or related fields. This volunteer and internship program in Palestine is open to university students and postgraduates with degrees in economics, international relations, or political science, as well as professionals, retirees, and anyone in between. We also welcome anyone with relevant work experience who would like to share their knowledge in the field by carrying out their own customized activities.
What Is Community Development?
Your Community Development program is based at the Engage in Palestine’s facilities in Hebron in the West Bank, Palestine. Your volunteering will include planning and executing educational lessons, workshops, programs, and activities that are aimed at teaching our Palestinian youth about community and economic development in and around the city of Hebron. Participants must engage particularly with the local youth to improve their self-confidence and discuss career and job opportunities with them. You will be encouraged to work with local Palestinian youth to enhance their employability prospects, help them find their career path, and provide guidance on starting a business.
Past Activities And Projects
Below are some ideas of projects you can run and activities that you can take part in during your time in the Community Development Program with Engage in Palestine:
- Classes on personal and professional development
- Working or studying in an international environment
- Employability skills (How to write a resume, how to conduct yourself in a job interview, how to write business and formal emails, etc.)
- How to start up a successful small business
- Communication skills
- How to be successful in your community
- Leadership and problem-solving
- The job market in Palestine
- The benefits of studying abroad for job prospects
- Meet with and learn from other programs in Hebron and gauge their effectiveness (such as the UN, USAID, other NGOs)
- Attend cultural nights featuring entertainment and activities
- Other activities- we welcome your suggestions!
Your Impact
Our Community Development Program in Hebron, West Bank, is well researched, targeted, and suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into daily Palestinian life, education, human rights, and community development. With all our programs, we aim to make a long-term difference for the Palestinian local community through the exchange of ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes”. Our programs foster shared and mutual learning for both our community and our volunteers and interns.
Even when you are teaching or facilitating an activity such as a workshop, you are sure to learn from your students as much as they learn from you. During this program, you will have the opportunity to share valuable knowledge and skills with members of the community to help them develop themselves personally, professionally, and economically. Volunteering and interning offer unique opportunities to make a genuine impact on your life and the lives of others, including Palestinian children, refugees, youth, and community members in the West Bank, Palestine.
A Unique Cultural Exchange Opportunity
To effectively work for Community Development, one must first learn about the culture and life of the people living there. Engage in Palestine provides an immersive, educational opportunity for cross-cultural learning through multiple strategies. In addition to being immersed in Palestinian culture and daily life in Hebron, participants will take Arabic classes, stay with a host family, and have plenty of free time to travel to different cities such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Bethlehem, and Jericho. Traveling between Palestine and Israel is really easy and inexpensive for internationals. The program includes free time to discover the area and the local community.
Arabic Classes
As part of this unique cultural exchange opportunity, you will have the chance to learn or improve your Arabic. During the program, each participant receives 3 hours of Arabic classes per week (12 hours per month). There will also be ample opportunities to learn and practice Arabic with locals in the broader community, both in your project and in your free time.
Your Arabic lessons will be taught by an experienced and knowledgeable Palestinian teacher, either one-on-one or in small groups. Whether you have studied Arabic before or this is your first time, we tailor our Arabic lessons to suit your level and needs. Volunteers can freely choose what form of Arabic they would like to learn during their time in Palestine, such as:
- Fusha/ Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
- Shami/Levantine Arabic
- Colloquial Palestinian Arabic (Amiyya)
- A Mixed Program
We are always here to offer advice if you are unsure about the differences between these dialects or which one is right for you.
Staying With A Host Family
Engage in Palestine aims to achieve social discourse through cultural immersion. The center provides mandatory homestays in Hebron for female participants. Male participants are welcome to apply for host families, subject to the availability of spaces. In the event no spaces are left, males can stay in social dorm rooms with other male volunteers, participants, and interns. Private rooms can also be arranged, although these naturally come with an additional fee, and come with seclusion that prevents a fully immersive experience.
A Day In The Life
Your day generally begins at 10 am and finishes at approximately 5 pm. Your expected commitment hours are around 25-30 per week, and you will have two days free each week – Friday and a second day of your choice.
Every day begins with breakfast at our center at 10 am (except Fridays), shared with teachers, directors, and volunteers from other programs. Breakfast gives you the chance to not only try traditional Palestinian food such as hummus and labneh, but to socialize and practice your Arabic if you wish. You can take a break for lunch whenever you have time in your schedule, and it is easy to find supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, falafel, and shawarma nearby for your lunch.
A Flexible Volunteering Program
We know that schedules are subject to change, and planning can be complex. Therefore, we make the length of all our programs flexible; you can participate anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks, enabling you to choose the option that best suits you. This program is offered throughout the year, with start and end dates at your discretion.
6 Community Development Volunteer Programs in Palestine: Overview
Here is a short overview of the Community Development Volunteer Programs in Palestine:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 mainly 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.
5. 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.
6. Intern in Local Palestinian Schools Program
Join the Intern in Local Palestinian Schools Program and make a tremendous impact on the lives of Palestinian children, refugees, and youth! Our internship program in Hebron, West Bank, is open to everyone. This is whether you’re a native or non-native English speaker, a student, a graduate, a professional, or a retiree. If you’re passionate about improving local Palestinian students’ English and life skills, this is your chance to join us and make a difference. We’d love to have you on board!
As an intern in the West Bank, you get to visit local Palestinian schools, refugee camps, and villages around Hebron. You’ll contribute meaningfully to the West Bank, Palestine, and Palestinian communities here. Furthermore, you will help Palestinian students gain essential skills and knowledge while learning about their culture and way of life. It’s a perfect internship opportunity for anyone passionate about education, Palestinian community development, and making a positive impact in the West Bank.
Summer Internship Program
We also have a dedicated summer program, specifically designed for students seeking volunteer opportunities during their summer break. Our Community Development Summer Program is ideal for anyone seeking to engage and volunteer with the Palestinian community, particularly children, youth, students, and refugees, in the field of community development.
This program is especially suitable for university students seeking volunteer opportunities or internships abroad to gain practical, hands-on experience in the West Bank, Palestine, and Israel, or the Middle East more broadly. Additionally, Engage in Palestine can grant academic credit to currently enrolled university and college students thanks to collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education. So students can gain practical hands-on experience while working towards their degree.
Benefits of Volunteering with Us
- Immersion in Palestinian culture, daily life, and society while living in Hebron
- Undertaking trips to the old city, holy sites, other sites, local organizations, a refugee camp in Hebron, and more during your time
- Spoken Arabic language lessons (12 hours a month/ 3 hours a week)
- Well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, each with an excellent educational background, are ready and happy to help you
- Visits to NGOs in Hebron, West Bank
- Meetings with Palestinian university, school students, and teachers;
- Visits to historical locations and nearby cities, including Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus, Bethlehem, and other notable sites.
- The ability to visit nearby cities as well as those in Jordan and Israel, including Akko, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Tel Aviv, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, and Wadi Rum
- Accommodation either with a Palestinian family or in our male dorm
- Attendance at Palestinian cultural nights, such as weddings or those featuring entertainment
- A participant’s certificate upon completion.
Volunteer Requirements
At Engage in Palestine, we do not discriminate on any basis, including a person’s nationality, ethnicity, religious standing, gender, sexual orientation, or any other discernible means. No special skills or experience are required for this Community Development Volunteer Program, but various skills can be utilized. Volunteers in Palestine with expertise in computing, leadership, life skills, soft skills, employability skills, business, and many other areas can often put this knowledge to work assisting the Palestinian community in Hebron, Palestine.
There are only a few actual requirements:
- Between the ages of 18 and 70
- Ability to communicate in English or Arabic
- An open mind and eagerness to learn
Reviews and Awards
How To Apply
Send an email to info@ecpalestine.org requesting an application, listing “Community Development Program” in the subject line. We will send you the application. Please fill it out and send it back to us. After we receive your application, you may be invited for a short talk on a Skype call, Zoom, or WhatsApp to give you more information and answer all of your questions.
We will send you an acceptance letter and a program contract. Please sign and return the contract to us, and then pay the fees online in advance. Then, you are ready to come to Hebron, Palestine, and join our Engage in Palestine family! In the meantime, you can contact us through any of the means listed at the bottom of this page. If you have any questions or would like to know more information about us or our programs, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Final Remarks
We are in real need of committed and competent volunteers who can empower our Palestinian youth, children, refugees, school students, and community members in community development. By sharing your knowledge and passion in the field of community development, you can make a real contribution to the local Palestinian community, particularly the youth. This program is very flexible, offering a wide range of activities that you can carry out, depending on your interests and expertise. The ways that you can participate in this program and contribute are nearly endless.
You will also benefit significantly from our community volunteering program, which offers personal development and valuable work experience. During your time in Palestine, you will be immersed in Palestinian culture and daily life through Arabic lessons, socializing in the community, and homestays. Whether you are a university or college student, a graduate, a professional, or a retiree, if you are looking to make a difference in the lives of Palestinians, this is an excellent opportunity for you. Apply today and begin your volunteer journey!
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Tags: Community volunteering in the West Bank, Volunteer opportunities in Palestinian communities, Volunteer programs for internationals in Palestine
