Volunteer with Palestinian Children: This program is an excellent opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students, professionals, retirees, social workers and teachers interested in working with children in a volunteer capacity. It is also ideal for anyone, whether native or non-native English speaker, interested in interning with Palestinian children.

In addition, those interested in childhood education will benefit from volunteering with children in Palestine. Volunteers will be provided with a full immersion into Palestinian culture, daily life, politics, the human rights situation and the educational system.

Volunteers in Palestine can join our program for the period of time that best suits them, anything from (1-13 weeks) in duration. They can come at any time of the year as we are flexible when it comes to starting and ending dates. People of all backgrounds and nationalities are welcome to apply, the only condition being that you have to be at least 18 years old to join.

As a volunteer in Hebron, West Bank, you will have the chance to meet many Palestinian children who yearn to interact with international visitors. The Palestinian children are the future, and helping them grow will have a direct impact on their own wellbeing as well as on that of their country. You will make a difference in their lives as well as yours.

Educational classes and workshops will take place in either the Excellence Center/Engage in Palestine, local Palestinian community and day care centers, schools, children’s organizations, special needs schools or local refugee camps in Hebron.  

Upon their arrival in Hebron, volunteers will get the chance to craft and develop their workshops tailored to Palestinian children. These workshops and classes will constitute the primary portion of the volunteers’ workload during their time volunteering in Palestine.

 Previous Workshops Have Included:

• Drama for Palestinian refugees 
• Fun days for Palestinian kids in the refugee camps  
• Conversational English language workshops for Palestinian kids 
• Arts and music for disabled Palestinian children
• Media training for Palestinian school students 
• Environmental camps for young school students  
• Mathematics lessons 
• Journalism workshops for high school students 
• Medicine (First Aid Courses)
• As well as others. 

(Disclaimer: All volunteers wishing to work with Palestinian children will be required to take a safeguarding interview. This is to ensure that volunteers fully understand their responsibilities as caretakers of children, as well as the laws and protocols in place to protect children from abuse.)   

Engage in Palestine will assist all volunteers in acquiring the necessary resources to conduct their intended workshops successfully, as well as connecting them with local experts here in Hebron. These resources and experts include local NGOs, community centers, refugee organizations, schools, charities, law firms, universities and day care programs. All these resources are made possible by the Center’s deep ties to the local community here in Hebron! 

Furthermore, coming to volunteer with children in the West Bank, Palestine will be a fully immersive experience for those involved. Volunteers will not only have the opportunity to work with Palestinian children on a variety of subjects, but will also live and breathe Palestinian culture, the Arabic language and the rich history of the Levant! This will occur in a number of ways.

Firstly, volunteers will have the opportunity to reside with a Palestinian host family or in an all-male dorm located in the center of Hebron. In either case, volunteers will be completely immersed in the daily life of Palestine.

Secondly, by engaging with Palestinian children you will tend to forget your language barriers, helping you to learn Palestinian colloquial Arabic in a playful manner.

To volunteer With The Palestinian Children, You Should Be:

• Willing to work with Palestinian children from diverse backgrounds

• A student or graduate who seeks teaching experience

• Someone interested in the educational system in Palestine

• An English or education major student

• 18+ and willing to make an impact on the local community

• Someone who desires to help the future leaders of Palestine

What Do You Need In Order To Be A Volunteer ?

• To be 18 years or over
• The ability to communicate in English
• The ability to work with an international team
•  Patience and enthusiasm
•  Eagerness to learn

What Don’t You Need?

• The ability to speak Arabic
• Travel or work experience
• To be a native speaker of English
• A degree in English or any specialization
• Experience in teaching English as a foreign language

A Huge Range Of Impacts

The Volunteer with Palestinian Children program is well researched and targeted, and is suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into the daily life and education of Palestinians, as well as gaining experience in teaching English, and in learning about human rights.

We aim to make a long term difference to the local Palestinian community through the exchange of ideas and by “walking in each other’s shoes”. Volunteering and interning is a unique opportunity to genuinely make an impact on your life as well as on the lives of Palestinian children, refugees and on the wider community in the West Bank.

Summer Volunteer Programs

For people looking for volunteer programs or internships with Palestinian children over the summer in the West Bank, Palestine or Israel, Engage in Palestine offers great volunteer opportunities that span from May to September. These volunteer programs and internships are ideal for students, English native speakers, and anyone with a summer break or any individuals looking to volunteer on an extended visit.

These summer volunteer programs with Palestinian children combine Arabic language focus with a full learning, immersion and engagement in Palestinian culture, politics and history. It includes visits to Bedouin areas (Susiya), Palestinian refugee camps, local villages and community centers.

Volunteer & Internship Programs In Gaza

Gaza Strip offers a variety of volunteer programs. They cover important topics like human rights, teaching English, women’s rights in Palestine, supporting Palestinian refugees and children, journalism, Palestinian culture and politics.

The volunteer and internship opportunities in Gaza, Palestine are for a wide range of people, including students who study the Middle East and Arabic, people interested in politics, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, researchers studying Palestine and Israel, humanitarian workers, social workers, teachers, native English speakers, non-native English speakers, and anyone who wants to learn about Palestinian culture and daily life. Please click here for more information.

Arabic Language Courses

In addition, Engage in Palestine offers free in-person Arabic language courses to all of its volunteers. These courses span 3 hours per week and will continue throughout their stay in Hebron. Learning Arabic will be a valuable asset in their mission to aid the Palestinian community of Hebron.

Furthermore, Engage in Palestine conducts regular ventures into Hebron, visiting Palestinian cultural sights, local human rights organizations, businesses, factories, local universities, schools and refugee camps as well as natural parks and treasures – all of which are intended to give volunteers a well-rounded understanding of Palestine. 

Do You Need University Credits? 

The Volunteer with Palestinian Children program offers students university and internship credits in case they are needed for your university. If you are applying for funding to volunteer in Palestine, the Center would be more than happy to help, and can provide any and all requested documents.

Who Is This Volunteer Program For? 

The Volunteer with Palestinian Children program is for anyone interested in working with children and who understands the importance of connecting Palestine to the world.

Exposing young generations of Palestinians to other people and cultures will connect them to the world community, as well as helping to dispel at a young age any preconceptions Palestinians may have about other cultures. 

This volunteer program is perfect for those interested in political science, human rights, Islamic culture, the politics of the Middle East, Arabic culture and language It can also help you to build a career with international NGOs. Many NGOs, Palestinian governments and international organizations see volunteer work in the Middle East, and experience with the Arabic language as a major plus. 

The Volunteer with Palestinian Children program is open to people of all ages,  from students to seniors, who wish to make a difference in the lives of Palestine’s youth and children.

Who Can Participate?

Those who love working with Palestinian children and who wish to make a career out of doing so are encouraged to apply. The children of Palestine are eager to learn.  Being a constructive force in their lives by coming to volunteer in Palestine is the best way to ensure their prosperity. 

Engage in Palestine does not discriminate on any basis. This includes a person’s nationality, ethnicity, religious standing, gender, sexual orientation or  any other basis. Furthermore, the Excellence Center has a long history of welcoming people from around the globe.

Participants have visited the Excellence Center from the following countries: The United Kingdom, the United States of America, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Australia, Japan, South Africa, Singapore, South Korea, Ireland, China and New Zealand! All people who wish to advance the welfare of Palestinian children are encouraged to apply! 

Accommodation While Volunteering  

When residing in Hebron, male participants in the program will have the option of either residing in a dorm or with a Palestinian host family (depending on availability). There are advantages in both cases. For those residing in a dorm there will be extra time to become acquainted with the other participants and volunteers of the Excellence Center. Furthermore, the dorms are located next to Hebron’s metropolitan center, providing ample opportunity to explore the City of Hebron with fellow roommates, which may lead to many new and exciting experiences! 

The second option (available primarily to female participants) will be to reside with a Palestinian host family. The benefit of this option is that participants will receive a firsthand view of Palestinian life, customs and culture. In addition, residing with a Palestinian host family will provide ample opportunities to become acquainted with Palestinian cuisine and family structures. Furthermore, it is likely that participants residing with a Palestinian host family will be invited to family gatherings and cultural events, guaranteeing a culturally immersive experience! 

Participants who choose to live in a private accommodation will cover their own expenses, but we will be happy to help you find an accommodation suitable to your needs in the city of Hebron.

Interacting With Palestinian Culture

Volunteers in Hebron will find that the majority of Palestinian people are incredibly friendly and open to foreigners. Furthermore, if participants utilize their Arabic skills, no matter how well developed, they will find that most Palestinians are enthusiastic and patient communicators. They will be happy that people have taken an interest in their language and culture.

In addition, Palestine is located at the heart of the Levant (the area associated with the eastern Mediterranean and being the cradle of three world religions), providing ample opportunity to visit cultural sights, historical monuments and other landmarks. Although Palestinians faces difficult circumstances, participants will find that they  are friendly and open and that Hebron is a safe place to learn, intern and volunteer in! 

Benefits of Volunteering:

The Volunteer with Palestinian Children program offers many benefits including:

• Living in Hebron and undertaking trips to the old city, the holy sites and more 

• Learning spoken Arabic from native speakers and embracing the opportunity to communicate with locals

• 3 hours of Arabic lessons per week

• Exposure to daily life, culture and society in Hebron

• Accommodation with either a Palestinian host family or in our male apartment

• The opportunity to eat and enjoy local Palestinian foods and desserts

• Palestinian cultural nights featuring entertainment and activities

• Opportunities to view tourist attractions from a particularly native perspective, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin and the Dead Sea in Jericho

• The ability to visit nearby cities as well as those in Jordan, including Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Nazareth

• The assistance of well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, all with an excellent educational background, ready and happy to help you

• A participant’s certificate upon completion.

You will get the opportunity to meet Palestinian university and school students, as well as members of the Hebron community and local organizations, as an international student studying Arabic in Palestine.

Take the chance to travel on your own and see distinctive tourist sights from a local’s point of view, such as Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin, and the Dead Sea in Jericho.

Moreover, Weekends in Israel exploring the famous historical cities such as Jericho, Jerusalem, Akko, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, Eilat, Tiberias, Nazareth, Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Masada are awaiting you!  Travel to Jordan’s most ancient sites in Petra, Amman, Wadi Rum, Irbid and Aqaba and broaden your experiences in the Middle East!

Daily/Weekly Schedule For Volunteers

Volunteering with the Palestinian children requires commitment and flexibility. Volunteers on average are expected to work approximately 30 hours a week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Saturday – Thursday). Volunteers will have two days off per week – one mandatory day off on Friday, and another of their choice. 

Breakfast will be provided every workday morning at the Center, with ingredients coming from a diverse range of local Palestinian foods.  Breakfast is intended to prepare volunteers for the workday ahead. In addition, breakfast will be shared between the Center’s staff, volunteers and interns. This is designed to create stronger communal bonds throughout the Center, as well as for touching base with all participants in regard to their experiences and ambitions for the coming day.

Engage in Palestine will also run regular excursion trips into Hebron and, at times, neighboring cities throughout the week, connecting volunteers with local activists and organizations. Evenings are usually free, allowing volunteers the opportunity to explore the city of Hebron, including its many restaurants, shops and historical sights. Volunteers have the chance to travel on their own to Israeli cities such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nazareth, Akko, Tiberias, as well as to the Dead Sea, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

In addition to their work throughout the day, volunteers will also have their Arabic language courses. Participants’ schedules can fill up quickly, meaning that their time in Palestine will go by faster than they can believe.

The First Week 

The first week at Engage in Palestine will be focused on helping volunteers to adapt to life in Hebron and to Palestinian culture. In order to successfully achieve this, volunteers will enroll in Arabic language courses in the Center as well as courses centered around Palestinian culture and customs. Taking these courses early on will give volunteers a leg up in assisting the Palestinian people. The efforts made by volunteers to learn about Palestinian culture and customs will certainly be reciprocated by the Palestinians they are helping.  

If you are only planning a short-term volunteer service (1 to 2 weeks), we recommend that you contact us at least one week beforehand to organize your schedule. We would be more than happy to arrange a WhatsApp call to provide all the necessary information.  

Weeks Two – Twelve

Every week thereafter, the volunteers will be focused on learning about their chosen workshops, activities and educational programs in Palestine. They will  then create the programs in cooperation with local Palestinian organizations which will help improve their understandings of these subjects. These events can include educational seminars on conversational English, how to safely navigate the internet, leadership/life skills, specific sports or anything that will enrich the lives of children here in Palestine. There is no limit to the workshop ideas that volunteers can create, and the Excellence Center would be all too happy to help put these ideas into practice! 

Our staff will introduce you to our manual of teaching, and to the activity booklets which give examples and provide you with information. Volunteers who have limited experience of such workshops are also welcome to apply in order to enhance their skills.

Traveling to Hebron, Palestine 

Engage in Palestine has information on all the resources you need to travel in an efficient, safe, and practical manner to Hebron.  Please read our articles below on flying to Palestine, getting to Hebron, planning your trip, and on Israeli/Palestinian taxi services. 

• How to fly to Palestine
• How to get to Hebron, Palestine
• Planning your trip to Palestine
• How to get from the Ben Gurion Airport (Israel) to Hebron

Tel Aviv Airport Pickups

Engage in Palestine staff can organize a taxi to pick you up at Ben Gurion Airport and take you straight to Hebron and the Center. This is the easiest and fastest way (about an hour, 60 km/37 miles) to get to the Excellence Center.

Additional fees apply as this trip costs about 160 Euros. Please Contact the Excellence Center staff if you are interested in this option.

Program Costs and Information: 

Engage in Palestine charges 750€ a month or 250€ a week.  

The prices listed on this webpage are the complete and final cost students will pay. 

Program Fees Cover:

• Housing in Hebron 
• Arabic Language courses
• Center’s operating costs
• Breakfast (Mon – Fri) 
• Group excursions 

What Language is the Program Run In? 

All our volunteer programs and colloquial Arabic lessons cater to English speakers. However, to ensure full immersion, as the course level increases, less English will be used in the classroom.

General Information Regarding Program Costs and Components: 

Program Reviews

Engage in Palestine has established a prestigious and highly acclaimed reputation for its active engagement with children and youth in Palestine. If you still have reservations about volunteering in Palestine or joining the Engage in Palestine, explore our volunteer and internship program reviews to evaluate whether we meet your expectations!

Check out our many great reviews here:

• +730 reviews (94%) on gooverseas.com
• +150 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
• Volunteer with Palestinian Children Program video testimonials

Summary

The Volunteer with Palestinian Children Program presents an ideal opportunity for university students, gap year participants, and individuals on sabbatical seeking to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Palestinian children in the West Bank. The scope for applying your skills as a volunteer is virtually limitless.

Engaging with children in Palestine is an unparalleled experience, one that will profoundly influence participants’ perspectives for years to come. Furthermore, volunteering in the West Bank is the perfect stepping stone for those passionate about working with Palestinian children and refugees or pursuing a career in early childhood education and children’s welfare. Take action today and embark on your volunteering journey in Palestine

How To Apply

If you’re excited about volunteering with Palestinian children, don’t hesitate to drop us an email at Info@ecpalestine.org. We’re here to help, and you can expect to hear back from us within 1-2 business days.

In the subject line of your email write “Volunteer With Children In The West Bank.” Upon writing back to you we will attach an application form which you will fill out and return to us to begin the process.

Related Internship Programs

Find Us Online

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Website: https://ecpalestine.org/

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