Volunteer organisations in Palestine: The West Bank, Palestine can be a fantastic place to volunteer – it has a rich cultural history which has seen it rapidly grow in popularity as a tourist destination; there is also the possibility to do interesting work there to help the unfortunate people who are live there and struggle through the hardships of the Israeli Occupation.
It can also be a great opportunity to undergo an immersive language experience as you learn Arabic from speaking to locals on a daily basis. Many volunteers in Palestine find a deeply enriching experience awaits them in Palestine, whether their goals are professional, social aid or new experiences.
Is it safe to volunteer in Palestine?
It is absolutely safe to volunteer in the West Bank, Palestine. Gaza is a different matter as it is undergoing a state of siege at the time of writing and all travel there is advised against by foreign governments. The West Bank however is much more stable and while there can be minor complications over your visa and freedom of movement, as a foreigner, you do not have to endure anything like the same hardships as the locals who actually live in Palestine.
There are occasionally small outbursts of violence in the West Bank as a result of the ongoing Occupation, but these clashes are almost always very localised to a certain flashpoint, so they are not difficult to avoid if you are sensible with your movements and stay up to date with the latest events.
Finding the right volunteer programme for you
In Palestine, as anywhere in the world there are organisations which are not designed with the experience of the volunteer in mind, so it is important to do your homework and find a programme which balances the need of the organisation (and those it is helping) with the needs of the volunteer.
There is nothing worse than embarking on a three month internship, investing all that time and money before finding out that the volunteer experience is nothing like what was promised originally. Read testimonials from former volunteers and feedback to ensure that the programme on offer will be a good fit for you when you actually get out there.
International NGO volunteer organisations
International NGO opportunities are usually a safe bet as they will tend to be with big established organisations which have a reputation of being trusted for their work. This isn’t always the case so you still need to plan the volunteer experience and ensure that any potential organisation is giving you as much support as possible.
There will usually be lots of feedback about these programmes so you can see if they work for you, which makes this a good place to start if you are looking for a programme in Palestine for the first time – organisations like the UN and NGOs that deal with refugee issues are your best place to look in this case.
Notable organizations and Community Centers such as the United Nations, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Oxfam International, Norwegian Refugee Council, Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), Norwegian People’s Aid, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Human Rights Defenders, and NGOs dedicated to Palestinian refugee and human rights issues are excellent places to explore for meaningful opportunities.
Domestic volunteer organisations in Palestine
An alternative to this though can be finding an organisation which is primarily based in Palestine. Working with such an organisation can help bring you closer to the people you are helping and can also have the effect of providing a better immersive environment in which to develop your Arabic skills.
The only downside is that these organisations can be harder to find as they are less likely to have an obvious internet presence, so it can be more difficult to find one of these opportunities.
Human Rights Organizations
The Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council (PHROC), compromising of:
- Al-Haq Organization – Law in the Service of Mankind
- Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
- Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
- Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association
- DCI – Defense for Children International – Palestine
- Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center
- Aldameer Association for Human Rights
- Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies
- Hurryyat – Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights
- The Independent Commission for Human Rights (Ombudsman Office) – Observer Member
- Muwatin Institute for Democracy and Human Rights – Observer Member
- The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO)
- Community Action Center (Al Quds University)
- Civic Coalition for Palestinian Rights in Jerusalem
Volunteering with the Excellence Center
To balance these competing priorities, a great option can be to take a volunteering programme with the Excellence Center in Hebron. This language school and training centre has all the resources and professionalism of a big NGO but the feel of a local institution, which brings you closer to the Palestinian people when you are volunteering in the country.
The Center runs a range of programmes, including the Teach English, Study Arabic which allows you to directly influence the lives of young Palestinians with equipping them with the English skills they will require in their later life.
Volunteer in the West Bank, Palestine Program
Engage in Palestine offer both short-term and long-term volunteer and internship programs. Volunteers will have the chance to work with Palestinian children, youth, women, refugees, young adults, university students, and families by assisting them in practicing their conversational English, organizing workshops in a variety of subjects, and staying in Hebron’s lively, sociable neighborhood while teaching English in the West Bank.
This volunteer opportunity is span from one week to three months (13 Weeks) year-round (Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring). Our volunteer programs in Hebron, West Bank provide you the chance to work in a fascinating and energetic environment since they are created to be immersive, genuine, and complete.
Short Term Volunteer In Palestine Programs
Here at the Excellence Center in Hebron, West Bank we run a wide range of volunteer projects covering a large variety of subjects. Whether you have interests or expertise in arts, sport, law, justice, education, environmental and humanitarian issues or in promoting professional development, we believe you can find a volunteer program to flourish in and contribute to extensively.
Our short-term volunteer programs in the West Bank, Palestine include:
Summer Volunteer Programs
Engage in Palestine provides excellent volunteer opportunities from June through September for those searching for summer internships or volunteer programs in the West Bank, Palestine, or Israel. For students, native English speakers, those with summer breaks, and anyone wishing to serve abroad for an extended period of time, these volunteer programs and internships are perfect.
These volunteer summer programs in West Bank, Palestine combine a focus on the Arabic language with thorough education, immersion, and participation in Palestinian culture, politics and history. Visits are made to Palestinian refugee camps, local towns, and community centers in addition to Bedouin regions (Susiya).
Benefits Of Volunteering In Palestine
Volunteers in Palestine receive many benefits during their time in the city of Hebron, West Bank. By being totally immersed in the Palestinian culture, you will be able to participate in many educational, cultural, social and community development activities.
Benefits of volunteering in Palestine:
- Living in Hebron and visiting sites in the local and wider area
- Better Understand Palestinian politics and experience the occupation in the West Bank.
- Learning spoken Arabic from native speakers and embracing the opportunity to communicate with locals
- Get to know the human rights situation and supporting Palestinian refugees.
- Travelling to historical locations and nearby cities including Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus and Bethlehem in your free time
- Visit nearby cities such as Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, and Nazareth.
- Spending time and living with a Palestinian host family, if desired
- Visiting Palestinian universities, local institutions and organizations specializing in culture and education
- Eating local Palestinian foods and delicacies
- Attending cultural nights featuring entertainment and activities in Hebron’s social hubs
In summary
Volunteer organisations in Palestine offer a unique volunteer opportunity for people from all over the world to make a difference in the lives of the Palestinian residents and refugees in Hebron, West Bank. You will have the chance to fully immerse yourself in the local Palestinian culture, study Arabic and become involved in the community. Regardless of your age or background, the Volunteer and Study Arabic in Palestine Program has something to offer for everyone.
With our wide range of volunteer programs in Palestine, you will have the opportunity to explore your interests and gain valuable experience while working in an international setting and closely with the people of Palestine. In addition to working, volunteers will also be able to travel around the area and visit many historical sites in their free time there. Altogether, coming to the center will provide you with an invaluable volunteering experience that you will be able to use to enrich your career and your life.
Related Volunteer Programs
How To Get Further Information
For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org/
Volunteer in Palestine: https://volunteerinpalestine.org/
Whatsapp:+972599479880
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Excellence Center’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Excellence Center’s Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/RafatECHebron
Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQSLdFZWZcBm6Uj0XMYuKg
Visit and Explore Palestine: https://www.facebook.com/ExplorePalestine
