Engage in Palestine was founded by dedicated local community servants to create a bridge between Palestine and the world. 

They offer educational, cultural, social, and community programs to a diverse range of international students, interns, and volunteers. With a wide variety of topics to choose from, Engage in Palestine has something for everyone interested in learning about and experiencing life in Palestine.

Since they began in 2011, Engage in Palestine has provided a rich and immersive learning experience for over 1000 international visitors, with great benefits to the local community, including children, Palestinian refugees, youth, and women. 

The staff at Engage in Palestine are the beating heart of everything we do. They work tirelessly to create meaningful experiences for volunteers and students from abroad and from the local community. Let’s look a bit more into the role of the staff at Engage in Palestine and then meet some of them! 

The Role of the Staff

There are many different roles at Engage in Palestine to support the wide variety of work that we do – each of them contributes to the smooth functioning of all the center’s activities. 

Our educational staff support the teaching of Arabic to international volunteers and students, and English instruction to the local community. For Arabic, they teach a variety of dialects – Modern Standard Arabic, Levantine, Shami and Ammiya – at levels ranging from beginner to advanced. Engage in Palestine’s affordable and accessible English classes, which attract many young people from around Hebron to attend class or even just come and practice speaking with our international volunteers. Every year, the Center helps to educate around 300 local students. 

Another big role is the coordination of international volunteers. The Center accepts people all year round for varying lengths of time, meaning there is always someone coming or going. The staff helps coordinate everything from pre-departure to onward travel, making sure everything is arranged for their stay. This includes arrival support, accommodation, orientation, settling in, and getting people started in their programs. 

Staff at the Center also arrange and coordinate all the program activities for each volunteer. They plan the program content, work with local partners to establish relationships, coordinate visits to places like refugee camps and local villages, and ensure every interaction is safe and for the benefit of the community. 

Finally, staff at the center also coordinate all administrative and logistical support, dealing with the day-to-day needs of the center, preparing breakfast in the mornings, and making sure everything runs smoothly. 

Meet the Team

Rafat Shantir – Founder

Rafat Shantir, the founder of Engage in Palestine, brings a wealth of experience in community development and cultural exchange to his leadership role. His journey began with active participation and volunteering in various community development projects across diverse locations such as Mongolia, Denmark, Egypt, and Jordan.

Drawing from several years of hands-on experience with community development organizations in Palestine, Rafat has emerged as a staunch advocate for the transformative power of community activities and cultural exchanges. He firmly believes in their profound impact on the lives of Palestinians and individuals worldwide.

Rafat’s dedication to continuous learning led him to pursue higher education in Germany, further enriching his understanding of global dynamics and community development strategies. His international exposure has equipped him with a broad perspective, driving his commitment to fostering connections and mutual understanding across borders.

Under Rafat’s leadership, Engage in Palestine has achieved remarkable recognition and success. The center has earned numerous accolades, including recognition as the top volunteer organization, best language school, leading teaching program, and premier internship provider for multiple consecutive years, surpassing thousands of organizations worldwide.

Marwa Shantir – Center Coordinator

Marwa Shantir is a leader at Engage in Palestine. Instead of sticking with her Islamic Studies degree from Hebron University, she chose to help her community in Palestine. Since 2012, she’s been working at Engage in Palestine in Hebron, starting as a Center Coordinator.

Marwa believes strongly in education and sharing cultures. Engage in Palestine offers various programs for Palestinian kids, women, refugees, and young people. They focus on education, community development, and cultural exchange. Marwa loves her job because she gets to meet international volunteers and students from all over the world and share her culture with them.

Under her leadership, Engage in Palestine has won community awards for being one of the top volunteer organizations, best language school, best teaching program, and best internship provider for the years 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023, beating 13,000 organizations worldwide. She’s passionate about making a positive impact on Palestinian society and connecting with people globally.

Osama Abu Hussein

Osama Abu Hussein serves as the Center Manager at Engage in Palestine, bringing with him a Bachelor’s degree in Media from Hebron University.

With a wealth of experience in Palestinian community organizations in Hebron, Mr. Abu Hussein has dedicated himself to volunteering with youth and children while actively participating in numerous local and international workshops over the past five years. His journey with Engage in Palestine began in 2014 when he assumed the role of Community Activities Coordinator and became an integral part of the media unit.

Mr. Abu Hussein further honed his skills during his tenure at Hebron University, where he contributed to the Public Relations Department in 2014. Additionally, from 2012 to 2014, he lent his expertise to Alhuriya Radio Station in Hebron, where he was responsible for editing news content and crafting reports and articles for the station.

Khitam Shantir

Khitam Shantir assumed the role of Educational Activities Coordinator at Engage in Palestine in October 2016. Holding a diploma in Business Administration from Future School in Hebron, Palestine, Khitam brings a strong foundation in organizational management to her position.

Driven by her passion for empowering Palestinian students, Khitam is deeply committed to facilitating educational opportunities and fostering personal growth. Her enthusiasm for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and immersing herself in various cultures fuels her dedication to her work.

Duha Amro

Duha Amro serves as an English/Arabic teacher at Engage in Palestine, where she is dedicated to empowering students with language skills. Holding a B.A. in English from Heron University, Ms. Amro brings a strong educational foundation to her role.

With one year of teaching experience, Ms. Amro has demonstrated her versatility by teaching English to local students and Arabic to international students. In her classroom, she employs a variety of engaging methods to enhance learning, including describing videos and pictures, culinary experiences with Palestinian food, and facilitating practice sessions with native speakers. Through these innovative approaches, Ms. Amro fosters an immersive and dynamic learning environment, enabling her students to develop proficiency in both English and Arabic.

Saja Amro

Saja Amro, an English/Arabic teacher at Engage in Palestine, embodies sociability and a passion for assisting others. Graduating with a B.A. in English Language and Literature from Hebron University, she achieved a commendable academic standing, earning a second honor degree.

Joining Engage in Palestine in 2020, Saja has found her tenure to be enriching and transformative. Drawing from the experiences of fellow educators, she has refined her teaching methodologies, cultivating an optimal learning environment for her students.

Beyond pedagogy, Saja’s journey at Engage in Palestine has afforded her the opportunity to immerse herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and customs from around the world. Interacting with individuals from various countries, including America, Britain, France, and beyond, she has honed her foreign language skills while expanding her cultural horizons.

Ibrahim Abueissheh – English Teacher

Ibrahim Abueissheh holds a B.A. in English Teaching Methods from Hebron University and serves as an English teacher at the Ministry of Education in Hebron, where he imparts knowledge to 8th and 9th-grade students at a Palestinian governmental school.

In 2013, Mr. Abueissheh embarked on his journey at Engage in Palestine, initially teaching both English and Arabic across various proficiency levels. Over the course of four years with the center, he has dedicated himself to enhancing his teaching skills and actively participating in practical training sessions focused on implementing modern teaching methods and activities.

Today, Mr. Abueissheh takes pride in the success he has achieved throughout his tenure at Engage in Palestine. His commitment to continuous improvement and his unwavering dedication to his students have enabled him to make a meaningful impact on their language learning journeys.

How the Staff Supports Volunteers & Students

Before they even arrive, staff at the Center support volunteers with any questions they have about travelling to Palestine, coming down to Hebron, and how to get a visa. On arrival, volunteers are provided with comfortable accommodation close to the Center and given a comprehensive orientation, including many invitations to tea or a hot meal with the staff. 

Breakfast is provided daily by the wonderful Khitam, who always lays a delicious spread of shakshuka, olive oil and za’atar, avocado, hummus, and labna – all served with tea and coffee. The first week is dedicated to showing new volunteers around their new home, including the bustling Ein Sara street, the old city, the Ibrahimi mosque, and some local hand-made craft stores. 

As volunteers settle in, staff coordinate all of their program activities and are available to answer any other questions, or provide support and advice for traveling on the weekends. They have a wealth of knowledge about the local customs and culture, but also the political situation, and are able to answer anything you might ask about the reality of life under occupation. 

Testimonials from Volunteers & Students

Our staff are excellent – but don’t just take our word for it! Read some of the glowing reviews we’ve had from volunteers from around the world:

“The staff here, and the teachers, are fantastic. I had Arabic lessons with Duha, and just with three weeks at 1-2 hours a day, I am now able to have (fairly simple) conversation in Arabic with Palestinians here in Hebron.” Sara, 25, United States. 

“I spent a month participating in the Human Rights Program. The staff of Engage in Palestine, especially my Arabic teacher Duha, were incredible. They are all patient and understanding. Also, the traditional Palestinian breakfast every morning was something I always looked forward to. It was always made with love and was a great introduction to Arabic dishes. All of us were also welcomed to have dinner or tea with Osama and Marwa at their home, which I always loved.” Kayleigh, 29, United States. 

You can read more from our past participants on our GoOverseas page. 

Arabic & English Teachers at Engage in Palestine

Our Arabic teachers get consistently great feedback about their teaching. There are a few things that we think make them really special:

• Our teachers are passionate and experienced educators, fluent in English and with Arabic as their mother tongue. They bring great energy and patience to all their classes, making a positive and challenging learning environment that gets fast results, with a special focus on speaking Arabic that isn’t found in many university courses.

• From one-on-one lessons to group discussions and real-life conversational practice, teachers adapt to different learning needs. Some teachers will take you to get coffee so you can apply your Arabic in real life by ordering. Whatever your level or learning style, they are able to match you. 

• The teachers not only educate but also act as mentors, helping students connect with Palestinian culture and language in a meaningful way. They sometimes invite students to come to their homes for coffee or dinner, or to meet their families. 

Conclusion & Call to Action

The staff at Engage in Palestine put their hearts and souls into their work. Their dedication means that many international people are able to come and see and experience Palestine and learn about the situation. At the same time, they facilitate programs and education initiatives that have a positive impact on the local community. 

If you are interested in learning more about coming to spend time in Palestine with Engage in Palestine, please send an email to Info@ecpalestine.org. You are very welcome to join us in Palestine! 

Get to Know the Engage In Palestine Team: