The Palestinian Refugees Volunteer Program is a great opportunity for a wide range of people, from students to retirees, who are passionate about human rights and wish to work directly with Palestinian refugees in the West Bank. Volunteers in this program will work with Palestinian children, youth, and women primarily in order to enhance their skillsets and provide education in one of the Palestinian refugee camp around the city of Hebron, Palestine.

Schools within Palestinian refugee camps are widely known to be underdeveloped, lacking many of the basic resources to fulfill their students’ educational needs. Volunteers will therefore work directly inside schools to help fill this disparity, while also having the opportunity to collaborate with human rights organizations, Palestinian community centers, and international NGOs to advocate for the rights of refugees.

Participants will also create educational workshops with a specific audience in mind, such as Palestinian children, youth, or women, to teach new skills while also fostering meaningful cultural exchange. 

This volunteer program is ideal for those with an interest in political science, human rights, or politics of the Middle East and would like to pursue a career in teaching or humanitarian aid. The program spans anywhere from 1-13 weeks dependent upon the volunteer’s preference, and during that time participants will reside in Hebron with a Palestinian host family.

Supporting Palestinians And A Local Organisation 

By joining the Engage in Palestine, you not only support a local Palestinian organisation but also the Palestinian community in general. We offer low-priced courses for Palestinian students in order to empower lower-income families and give them access to affordable education and extra English language classes. The center also offers many free of charge workshops, seminars and courses to support Palestinain refugees in the city of Hebron.

Finally, volunteers in Palestine can play an important role in contributing to the Palestinian community’s well-being. Your work with us helps to develop and build pathways to understanding. Many opportunities are offered on volunteer projects in Palestine supporting education and focusing on community development.

Volunteer With Palestinian Refugees In Summer

While we operate our Palestinian Refugees Program year-round (Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring), we also have summer volunteer programs specifically designed for students looking for opportunities to go abroad while also gaining university credit.

Through a partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education, Engage in Palestine is able to offer academic credit to our currently enrolled university students. This makes for the perfect opportunity to travel to Palestine/Israel during your summer, gain hands-on experience in a related field, and work towards your degree all at the same time. 

About Displaced Peoples In Palestine

Many are surprised to learn that there are, in fact, Palestinian refugees within Palestine itself. As a matter of fact, the Palestinian diaspora is the largest group of displaced peoples in the world, with approximately 7.1 million dispersed globally. This phenomenon finds its roots in two key years within the mid-20^th century. The first is 1948 during the Nakba when Palestinians fled from their homes to escape Israeli militias, and the second is 1967 during the Six-Day War which ended in Israel occupying the Syrian Golan Heights, the West Bank, Gaza, and the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, while also illegal annexing Jerusalem. While Jordan and Egypt had administered the West Bank and the Gaza Strip respectively between the time of the Nakba and the Six-Day War, these territories both fell under Israeli control thereafter. 

Over 700,000 Palestinians who fled during the Nakba from what was to become the new state of Israel to territories under Jordanian or Egyptian control thereafter became refugees, and their children to this day are still assigned refugee status. Palestinians also fled to other parts of the region as well including Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, however the latter was the only country in the world to offer citizenship to the newly displaced refugees. Additionally, many eventually also migrated to other parts of the world such as Europe and the Americas.

Palestinian Refugees in Gaza

The Gaza Strip is home to a population of approximately 2.3 million people, which includes some 1.8 million Palestine refugees. Undeniably, for at least the last decade and a half, the socioeconomic situation in Gaza has been in steady decline due to a lack of resources and attacks from the Israeli occupation. Notably, Gaza is home to eight Palestinian refugee camps, each illustrating the unique character of its respective community.

The UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) provides vital services within the eight Palestine refugee camps in the Gaza Strip. However, the administration and policing of these camps are not within UNRWA’s purview; instead, this responsibility falls upon the host authorities. For those interested in making a positive impact, we highly recommend contacting UNRWA to inquire about internship and volunteer programs. Indeed, engaging with Palestinian children, women, and refugees in Gaza through such programs can contribute significantly to humanitarian efforts in the region.

Support Palestinian Refugee Camps 

Palestinian refugees fall under the purview of the United Nations, with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency–more commonly referred to as the UNRWA–supporting 19 refugee camps within the West Bank alone. Conditions in these camps such as Al Fawwar or Al Arroub are notoriously cramped and uncomfortable, lacking basic necessities, services, and infrastructure including hospitals and enough schools to accommodate the camp populations adequately.

These Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank originally began as expansive tent-cities, however as time went on and it became clear a return would not happen anytime soon, stone structures gradually replaced tents, causing cramped, concrete quarters. Palestinian Refugee camps therefore have an exceptionally high population density where people often experience housing shortages and overcrowding. 

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.

Program Description

As a volunteer of the Palestinian Refugees Program, your prime responsibility will be offering educational and cultural services within the Palestinian refugee community. Most of Engage in Palestine’s efforts are directed toward education since this is a critical need. The importance of working within these camps alongside refugees cannot be overstated.

Because these Palestinian refugee camps are outside the main city centers, the people residing within them have limited opportunity to connect with international visitors and practice their English. The Center therefore tries their best to respond to this need by organizing educational and community activities to bring Palestinians and international participants together. 

Other Ways To Help

However, if education is not your forte, there are a number of other ways to volunteer and assist refugees of Palestine. Volunteers can organize workshops and activities to build skillsets, such as improving CV and resume content and presentation, creative exercises exploring different art forms, or even sporting events and cultural festivals. Volunteers are especially encouraged to create unique opportunities by utilizing their own skillsets and expertise.

For example, healthcare professionals could provide medical aid or assist local NGOs with a medical focus in their efforts to assist refugees within the camps. Volunteers with a special skill or expertise in performing arts are encouraged to organize concerts and other live performances for cultural enrichment. Engage in Palestine has previously work with volunteers to host live music venues and even circus events, so there really is no limit to ideas. 

In addition to their work with the Center, volunteers will also spend 3 hours a week in complimentary Arabic courses. These classes are designed so participants may better assist the people with whom they are working, with the hope they may connect on a fundamental level. Additionally, making the effort to learn the local language is a mark of good diplomacy and respect for the culture, one that is noted and appreciated by all those you meet.

Participants will also take part in Center-led excursions to various historical and politically significant sites within Palestine. These excursions generally include visiting the Old City of Hebron and the neighboring cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, while also touring refugee camps in order to gain a better understanding of Palestine’s contemporary political situation.

Program Components:

• Volunteer with Palestinian children in refugee camps
• Create workshops for Palestinians of local refugee camps
• Conduct musical or theatrical performances
• Assist local human rights and charity organizations
• Aid local NGOs in providing medical assistance to refugees
• Enroll in Arabic language courses
• Participate in Center-led excursions to Palestinian cultural sites

Schedule For Volunteers

Volunteering for Engage in Palestine requires commitment and flexibility. On average volunteers are expected to work approximately 30 hours a week from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Participants will have two days off per week, one on Friday when the Center is closed and another day of the participant’s choosing.

Breakfast is provided every morning at the Center and typically consists of bread, olive oil and za’atar, hummus, labneh, baba ghanoush, falafel, and cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper–basically all the essentials you will find in a traditional Palestinian morning meal. Center staff, volunteers, and interns all sit together during breakfast as custom dictates, which also allows everyone a chance to touch base while creating stronger communal bonds. 

The Center also facilitates regular excursions into Hebron and neighboring cities throughout the week, connecting volunteers with local activists and organizations. Evenings are usually free, giving volunteers the chance to explore the city and its many restaurants, shops, and historical sites by themselves.

In addition to their contributions to their specific programs, volunteers also attend Arabic courses twice per week for an hour and a half per session, which will require some study and preparation as well. All this together means schedules tend to fill up quickly, and volunteers find their time in Palestine passes quickly. 

Who is this Program For?

The Palestinian Refugees Volunteer Program is perfect for those passionate about elevating human rights, improving the lives of Palestinian refugees, and becoming more informed about the political situation in the West Bank, specifically concerning refugee status in a Palestinian context. Additionally, those interested in diplomacy, international law, and politics of the Middle East will find this program beneficial while gaining real-world experience. 

This program is especially beneficial for university students, as Engage in Palestine is able to provide academic credit to program participants through our partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education. Additionally, recent graduates will find this to be a great opportunity for contextual application of their specialty while building their skillset. 

Who Can Participate?

Engage in Palestine does not discriminate on any basis; this includes nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other discernable way. We have a long history of welcoming people from around the globe, from all walks of life, and from all backgrounds and identities. All are welcome!

Previous participants of our programs have hailed from the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States! 

Are There Any Criteria for Participants? 

There are only 3 criteria for participants, the first being conversational fluency in either of the program languages (i.e. English or Arabic). Secondly, participants should be between the ages of 18 and 70, though exceptions can be made in special circumstances. And finally, we ask participants to have a positive attitude with an eagerness to learn. 

Participant Requirements: 

• Colloquial fluency in English and/or Arabic 
• 18-70 years of age (unless granted special permission by the Center’s director) 
• A positive attitude and eagerness to learn

Housing

When staying in Hebron, you will have the option to reside either with a Palestinian host family or in a dorm; in either case, there are advantages to both. For those staying in a dorm, you will have extra time to become acquainted with other Center participants and volunteers. Additionally, the dorms are located in Hebron’s metropolitan center, providing ample opportunity to explore downtown, either by yourself or with your fellow dorm mates.

The second option available to participants will be to reside with a Palestinian host family. This option will provide participants an intimate view into Palestinian daily life, customs, and culture, while also giving them a chance to become familiar with family structures and taste some of the delicious Palestinian cuisine. It’s also likely that participants residing with a host family will be invited to family gatherings and cultural events, guaranteeing a culturally immersive experience! 

Participants may also choose to live in private accommodation, however this will entail covering their own expenses. If this option is preferred, we are happy to help find a living situation suitable to your needs. 

Whichever housing option participants choose, their time in Palestine is sure to be immersive, enriching, and memorable! 

Traveling To Hebron

Reaching the Center in Hebron, Palestine will be a long journey, but it need not be arduous. Although there are some obstacles when traveling to Hebron, Engage in Palestine has all the resources you need to reach us in an efficient, safe, and practical manner. Please read our articles below on planning your trip, flying to Palestine, the different routes to Hebron, and Israeli and 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

If you have any further inquiries about travel to Palestine, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Our contact information can be found at the bottom of this page. 

Program Costs And Information

Engage in Palestine is priced competitively with other programs at 250 Euros/US$ a week. Program costs cover language courses, housing, complimentary breakfast each day the participant is at the center, operating costs, and group excursions. There are no other additional or hidden fees applied to these programs; the cost quoted above is the complete and final cost participants will pay.

Program Fees Cover:

• Housing
• Language courses
• Operating costs
• Complimentary breakfast 
• Group excursions into Hebron 

In Which Language Is The Program Run? 

All of our programs are geared toward English speakers. However for the sake of immersion, the higher the Arabic course level the less English will be utilized in the classroom. Additionally, students will necessarily need to utilize their Arabic skills to the best of their ability when navigating through Palestine, thereby ensuring a fully immersive experience.

General Information Regarding Program Costs and Components

Program Reviews 

We continue to strive towards “excellence”: In 2022 we were rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities and one of the top three language schools worldwide by Go Overseas. We received a total of five Go Overseas Community Choice Awards in 2022. The Excellence Center was also recognized as one of the top Teach Abroad Providers for the category of “benefits” and one of the Top Internship Abroad Providers for the categories of “growth” and “support”. 

In 2021, we were also rated one of the top three programs worldwide in offering volunteer opportunities. We received the community choice awards by Go Overseas in the categories “Best Language School”, and voted best on “fun” and “instruction.” 

In 2019, we received our first “Go Overseas Community Choice Awards” to acknowledge the Excellence Center’s impact on the community of travelers around the world. The Excellence Center continues to be a highly rated travel organization across its selection of programs. 

Check out our many great reviews here:

• +730 reviews (94%) on gooverseas.com
• +150 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
• Video testimonials

The Palestinian Refugees Volunteer Program in particular is perfect for anyone looking to become involved in improving the health, education, and rights of refugees in the West Bank, Palestine.  

Summary

The Palestinian Refugees Volunteer Program is perfect for those passionate about advancing human rights and assisting the cause of refugees in the West Bank, Palestine while actively working alongside local Palestinians. As a component of this program, participants will visit Palestinian refugee camps, work with human rights and international organizations, and provide education to refugee children.

Additionally, participants will experience Arabic language and cultural immersion while living in Hebron as they learn the language and live with a local Palestinian host family. For those looking to aiding the cause of Palestinian refugees and explore a career in humanitarian aid, the Palestinian Refugees Program is a great place to start. 

How To Apply

If you are interested in participating in our Palestinian Refugees Program, please, write to us at Info@ecpalestine.org. We should respond to your initial inquiry within 1-2 business days.

In the subject line of your email write “Volunteering With Palestinian Refugees.” Upon responding we will attach an application form which you will fill out and return to us to begin the on-boarding process.

Related Volunteer Programs

How To Get Further Information 

For more information, please visit our website: https://ecpalestine.org/

EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/

Volunteer in Palestine: https://volunteerinpalestine.org/

Study in Palestine: https://studyinpalestine.org/

Whatsapp:+972 599 479 880

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter

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