Palestine is a fascinating country due to its thousands of years of history and culture as well as its current political situation. However, it can be overwhelming when considering volunteering because there are so many factors to think about in addition to the actual search for possible opportunities. If you have visited Palestine before, you will be more familiar with it, but if you have never been to Palestine or anywhere else in the Arab World, then you may wish to do extra research to learn more about the culture and customs before you arrive to ease any culture shock.  

When searching for volunteer opportunities in Palestine, there are several things to consider that we will discuss in this article. Briefly, they are, finding the right location to volunteer in the West Bank, as there are several main cities to choose from. Selecting the right organization, because not all organizations are trustworthy or automatically scrupulous. Additionally, it is worth taking time to identify the correct program for you, as your priorities might not always be the same as the organization in question. Finally, consider the right time of year for you to volunteer. Keep reading to learn more about these important considerations as well as volunteer work and opportunities in Palestine.

Selecting The Right Location

There are many places across Palestine in which you can volunteer, so it’s important to assess which is the best option for you. If you wish to volunteer in Gaza, know that it is almost impossible to do so, due to the ongoing Israeli blockade and siege of Gaza. However, the situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem is very different and it’s very easy for internationals to travel there. This means you can choose between cities such as Jerusalem, Jericho, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, and Jenin. There are differences between each city, some are more conservative and some are more westernized but all have their advantages and disadvantages. 

The best location for you depends on what is most important for you. For example, if you are most interested in culture and history, you might choose Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nablus, or Hebron. But if you are interested in going somewhere lively where there are more young people and fun things to do, then perhaps Jerusalem or Ramallah is best for you. If cost is a key consideration for you, cities such as Nablus and Hebron are generally the most affordable. However, doing plenty of research is key to deciding which location best suits you. 

Selecting The Right Time Of Year 

Selecting the right time of year is important for several reasons. Firstly, Palestine experiences four distinct seasons, with advantages and disadvantages to each. Winter can be quite cold and wet and central heating inside homes and buildings is very rare, while summer can be quite dry and hot, although the days are longer. Spring and autumn are more mild and enjoyable, with spring being the time when many plants, such as almond trees, are in bloom, while autumn is the olive harvest season. 

No matter which time of year you are in Palestine, consider the weather so you can pack appropriate clothing and other items such as sunscreen and bug spray. Additionally, if you travel to Palestine during a peak tourism period like summer, the prices of things such as accommodation and flights are usually higher and it generally requires more advanced planning due to the higher demand.

Volunteering During Ramadan?

Palestine is quite different during the holy month of Ramadan, so it is important to check when it occurs because the dates change each year. Some organizations might not accept volunteers during Ramadan due to low demand or a reduction in their operations. While Ramadan is a beautiful and special time in Palestine, internationals may find it a challenging time as this is when Palestinian Muslims, who make up the majority of the population are fasting for 30 days.

This means will need to refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking in public to show respect to others. However, some internationals decide to fast alongside Palestinian Muslims to show solidarity, to integrate into Palestinian society or just to have a different experience.  

Other Palestinian Holidays

If you are only considering volunteering for a very short time, such as 1-2 weeks, it is particularly important to first research other Palestinian holidays to see if they will coincide with your plans. While getting to experience Palestinian holidays is very nice, some holidays will mean the regular functioning of daily life changes significantly for several days or more, which may disrupt your plans. For example, in the Muslim calendar, there are two Eids per year, Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, and like Ramadan, the dates for these holidays change each year. Usually during Eid, some shops and organizations may be closed for several days or operating on a reduced schedule. 

For Palestinian Christians, the main holidays are Easter (Eid Al-Fis’h) and Christmas (Eid Al-Milad in Arabic). However in Palestine, because there are a variety of different Christians, such as Catholics, Orthodox, Armenians, and Protestants, these holidays occur more than once per year. For example, while Catholics celebrate Christmas on December 25, the Orthodox celebrate it on January 7 and Armenian Christians in Palestine celebrate it on January 19. So do your research to see when holidays occur and consider them because you may wish to experience specific holidays or avoid them altogether.

Selecting The Right Organization 

Most organizations offering volunteering programs will have the best of intentions, but it is always a good idea to be diligent when selecting the right one. Be sure to read testimonials from former volunteers and compare review ratings if available. An organization might have a mission or program you feel strongly about, but if it is not organized effectively, it may not be very fun or useful for volunteers during their program. It’s important, therefore, to find an organization that is well-run and balances the needs of the volunteers with the needs of the organization.

Selecting The Right Program

The same rules apply here as when selecting the right organization. The program is massively important and of course, volunteers will want to make sure they are making as much impact with their time as possible. However, some organizations may not be well run and while their programs look interesting, they might not be beneficial to volunteers or the local Palestinian community. Another consideration is your CV or resume, as the right program volunteering in Palestine can make it sound out and be useful when applying for jobs. Volunteering in Palestine can help a volunteer develop very important skills like adapting to unfamiliar circumstances, dealing with adversity, project management, and intercultural communication.  

Volunteer Work In Palestine

Volunteering in Palestine offers unique and fulfilling opportunities to make positive impacts on the lives of people who have faced extreme hardships due to the ongoing Israeli occupation of their homeland. There are many internally displaced Palestinians inside of the West Bank and Gaza who were displaced by Israel and who are still waiting to return to their homes in historic Palestine. This means that refugees face additional challenges and therefore require additional support. 

Although the situation in Palestine can be challenging and emotionally confronting, many volunteers find it not only an enriching experience but a transformative one. Additionally, Palestinians are some of the most hospitable people in the world, and hospitality is a key part of Palestinian identity. There are many characteristics of Palestinian hospitality, including sharing what they have with others, even if it isn’t much, and creating a welcoming environment where they treat others like family. If you take the opportunity to build relationships with Palestinians, it will make your time volunteering in Palestine all the more special and memorable. 

Volunteer Opportunities In Palestine

There are many volunteer projects and initiatives available in Palestine, offering varied and diverse experiences. For example, there are opportunities to teach English or provide education in other fields such as art, music, sports, technology, law, etc. In addition to other available volunteer work in environmental conservation, healthcare, supporting human rights, community development, supporting refugees, providing counseling or therapy for trauma, and much more. Volunteers can take satisfaction in knowing that they are making a meaningful contribution, while also benefiting from the opportunity to learn about Palestinian society and culture first-hand and gain valuable professional experience.

Organizations such as Engage in Palestine, located in Hebron, provide short-term volunteering opportunities, which allow volunteers to work on specific projects and initiatives while also gaining valuable experience and having fun.

Volunteer Opportunities At Engage In Palestine

If you are looking to volunteer in the area of Middle East, Palestine, the West Bank, or Israel, consider volunteering with Engage in Palestine. Engage in Palestine offers interested individuals a range of different short-term volunteering opportunities, available throughout the year in Hebron, West Bank, Palestine. The fields that we offer programs in include: teaching English, media and journalism, sports projects, healthcare, the law and legal fields, community development, technology, environment and conservation, human rights, women’s rights, supporting refugees, volunteering with children, and more.

Our programs are flexible to allow prospective volunteers to contribute as much or as little of their time as they can – from 1 to 13 weeks. Of course, generally, the longer you stay, the more rewarding your volunteer program will be as you will be able to engage more in-depth with the local Palestinian community, learn more about Palestinian daily life and culture, have more experiences, and meet more internationals. Whilst it is still important to do your research and identify which program best suits you, this process is much easier because there are so many programs to choose from and it’s even possible to combine two programs.

Volunteers at Engage in Palestine can expect to learn about Palestinian culture as well as the political situation, gain or develop valuable skills and experience, and make new friends while also making a contribution to the local Palestinian community in Hebron.

Engage In Palestine’s Target Groups In Palestine

At Engage in Palestine, we serve a diverse range of people in the local Palestinian community, including children, youth, women, refugees, students, professionals, and others. We are committed to promoting and facilitating intercultural understanding and supporting the development of local Palestinian communities in the West Bank through a range of educational and social initiatives. 

One of our main focuses is the provision of English language instruction and classes, while we also offer vocational training services, as well as community outreach and engagement programs and activities. Through our work with the help of our staff as well as volunteers and interns, we can have a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of our local Palestinian community members and all those who join us.

Volunteering With Engage In Palestine In Hebron, Palestine

Engage in Palestine combines the organization and resources of a private sector organization with the outreach capacity and connections of a leading non-government organization in the area. We are highly reviewed by former volunteers and offer very flexible terms for all of our programs. Our center has a fantastic atmosphere, combining a large pool of international volunteers with permanent Palestinian staff to create all the right conditions for cultural exchange. Additionally, being in such proximity to native Arabic speakers allows volunteers to rapidly increase their language level. 

We provide accommodation for all volunteers either in apartments close to our center or with host families (generally only for female participants). Our center is located in the heart of Hebron (or Al-Khalil as it is known by locals) on the busy Ain Sarah Street, with access to lots of facilities, shops and restaurants.

Hebron is a fantastic city – the biggest in the West Bank with several hundred thousand residents. The locals are very friendly and despite how big the place is, it has a small-town mentality with people saying hello and good morning to each other as they walk down the street. There are lots of great cafes and restaurants to hang out in and there are opportunities to shop everywhere. Hebron is also well-situated to visit other cities and go hiking; the city has a fascinating history, traditionally being the location for the tombs of Abraham and his wife and children. It is a center of commerce and industry and living here provides a unique insight into Palestinian life.

Our Short Term Volunteering and Internship Opportunities

Engage in Palestine offers a range of short-term volunteering opportunities for anyone interested in making a positive impact locally on the Palestinian community and more broadly on the world while gaining valuable cross-cultural experience. These programs are short-term (1-13 weeks), which makes them ideal for individuals looking for a meaningful way to spend their summer break, gap year, or other limited period. You can find out more about the individual programs we offer in the table below, by clicking the link in each program name.

Summer Volunteer Programs In The West Bank

Summer is the time when we are at our busiest hosting international volunteers, interns, and Arabic students because summer (June through September) is when many people, including students, have holidays or an extended break. So while any time of the year is a great time to join us, during summer there will be even more new people for you to meet and befriend.

However, it isn’t only students who join us in the summer, we also host graduates, professionals, people taking a gap year or sabbatical, or anyone else who is keen on traveling and exploring Palestine, Israel, or The Middle East. If you are a current student however, we can provide you with academic credit for the period that you volunteer with us, so you can work towards your studies while making the most of your summer holidays. We can offer this due to our collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Education. 

During our volunteer programs in summer, you will get to learn Arabic while having plenty of chances to practice it in an authentic setting, as well as joining a range of different trips we organize in and around Hebron to better acquaint you with Palestinian culture, Palestinian life under Israeli occupation as well as your surroundings. You will also have the chance to develop your professional skills and gain relevant experience through different voluntary projects and initiatives. During summer, Palestinian students have holidays which means there are even more opportunities to engage with youth, whether through teaching English, teaching other subjects such as about technology, sports, or employability, or facilitating community development activities. 

Join us to make the most of your summer by traveling, experiencing Palestinian culture and daily life, and making new friends while also gaining practical real-life experiences to enhance your employability and enrich your life. 

Your Impact As A Volunteer

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 real impact and effectively foster shared learning. Volunteering in the West Bank is one way to not only have a unique experience but to also make a genuine impact on the lives of Palestinians in the wider community as well as your own life. As with most things, the more you put into your program and this unique opportunity, the more you will get out of it. 

There are various ways to impact the local Palestinian community through volunteering, depending on your skills and interests. For instance, teaching English allows you to provide Palestinian students with essential language practice, improving their career prospects and enabling them to communicate with others globally. Other volunteer programs offer different opportunities to engage with and positively affect Palestinian society. While all programs are conducted in English, proficiency in Arabic can enhance your communication and deepen your connection with the community. To support this, volunteers receive several hours of Arabic tuition each week, helping them make the most of their time in Hebron.

The Benefits You Receive When Volunteering With Us In Palestine

Engage in Palestine offers numerous benefits to all of our participants. Some of these benefits include:

• Being immersed in Palestinian daily life and culture, while living in Hebron – the largest city in the West Bank.
• We provide accommodation with a Palestinian host family (for women) or an all-male dorm (for men).
• Start each day that you are out of our center with a provided breakfast, where you can try authentic Palestinian food in a social atmosphere.
• There are plenty of chances to engage with the local Palestinian community, whether through trips that we organize, through your program commitments (such as teaching classes or facilitating activities, workshops, or other projects), as well as in your own free time.
• You will receive three hours of Arabic tuition each week of your program, taught by one of our well-qualified Arabic teachers.
• Your Arabic lessons will be taught one-on-one or in small groups, allowing you to receive personalized instruction and attention from your teacher, helping you learn faster. 
• The choice between learning Modern Standard Arabic, Levantine, or the Colloquial Palestinian dialect. 
• Meet new people and make friends with other volunteers, interns, students, our Palestinian staff as well as locals.
• Opportunities to enjoy traditional Palestinian food and drinks and experience Palestinian hospitality.
• We include various activities and trips around Hebron that we organize, such as to the Old City, keffiyeh factory, glass and ceramics factory, Ibrahimi mosque, a local refugee camp, local artists, and local organizations.
• For each week you are with us, you will have two days off that you can spend as you wish. This allows you to spend time with your new friends as well as plan trips to nearby cities such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarem, Qalqilyah, Jenin, the Dead Sea in Jericho, Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth.
• We provide 24/7 program assistance, including pre-departure support.
• If you would like, we can provide current students with academic credit for the duration of their program.
• You will also receive a certificate upon completion of your program.

Reviews and Awards

Engage in Palestine has been offering its services since 2011. We have developed many Arabic immersion programs and online courses over the years. We use the most advanced teaching methods, which we develop and enhance year after year. Education is an active process always advancing, and you will be part of the development. 

Despite continuous program improvements to ensure the best learning experience, our core goal remains connecting, teaching, and developing individuals. Additionally, we aim to promote and encourage exchange in the local and international communities. 

We continue to strive towards excellence:

In 2022, we ranked as “one of the top three organizations worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities”. We also ranked as “one of the top three language schools worldwide” by Go Overseas. We also received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards. Among others, Engage in Palestine earned recognition as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits”. Besides that, we were also one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”. 

In 2021, we were one of the top three volunteer programs in the world. Go Overseas awarded us the community choice awards in the categories of “best language school”, “fun”, and “teaching”.

In 2019, we received our inaugural “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards.” This award recognized Engage in Palestine’s positive effect on the global travel community.

Overall, Engage in Palestine is a highly-rated travel company.

• +800 Reviews and ratings (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
• +160 Reviews and ratings on goabroad.com
• Participants’ video testimonials

Summary

Volunteering in the West Bank is one great way to have a positive impact on the lives of local Palestinians as well as your own life. However, before deciding to volunteer or commit to a particular program or organization, it’s important to do your research and consider different factors. There are many volunteer opportunities in the West Bank, so it’s important to choose the one that best aligns with your values and is most suitable for you. At Engage in Palestine, we work to ensure a mutually beneficial experience, both for our local Palestinian community and for our volunteers. We have over 11 years of experience welcoming volunteers and have continuously expanded and developed our programs in response to their feedback. 

Our volunteer programs are ideal for students, graduates, professionals, anyone taking a gap year or sabbatical, or anyone else wishing to go beyond being a regular tourist in Palestine, Israel, or the Middle East. We have created such a wide range of programs so that internationals can apply their skills, knowledge, and passions in different ways to have a wide range of impacts on our local Palestinian community. Our programs are a way for you to develop yourself personally and professionally, boost your resume, and contribute to others through our volunteer projects and initiatives, while also having a fun and unforgettable experience.

We hope to receive an application for one of our volunteer programs from you soon and welcome you to Hebron, Palestine in the not-too-distant future. 

Find Out More

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Info@ecpalestine.org and on Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880

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