📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Our local partner in Palestine are located in Bethlehem, where the organization is mainly working with human rights and empowerment of young Palestinians. The local partner is not only coordinating volunteers in Palestine from around the world. They are also training the youth of Palestine in how to volunteer and be activists in Bethlehem. You will start as a volunteer with one induction day at the Training Center in Bethlehem were they also educate the youth in activism. Your day at the Training Center will introduce you to the life and work in Palestine. You will also get an introduction to your local coordinator who will make sure that you are doing well while you are in Palestine. All the different volunteer placements are located around the West Bank in Palestine.
💼 What the programme involves
There are different types of volunteering work you can do. Therefore, we are trying to tailor the work together with your interests and capabilities. You are therefore kindly requested to tell us what your interests are when you fill out a form after you sign up. Most of our projects focus on Palestinian children, youth and women. Among other things, you can work in a youth-, human rights organization or collaborate in a center for children and youth with disabilities. Therefore, you will most importantly, experience Palestinian culture.The minimum span of weeks of volunteering in this program is eight weeks. The following are the projects you can sign up for:Children and youth with fewer opportunities/disabilitiesYou can work as a volunteer in a center for children and young people between the age of 5 and 25 with special needs. The center accommodates children and young people with many different types of needs. Some of the children are more physically and mentally demanding than others. You will be integrated into the daily routine of the center by helping the workers in their work.The children and young people are divided into classes of 5-10 people, depending on their ages and special needs. You will follow one of the teams dedicated to a particular group of children or young people. This is because they need stability and a routine.You will also be involved in practical work together with your colleagues and as an extra teacher where your main task will be to support those who need it most and not to take care of the entire educational program. In addition, you will also have to organize leisure activities for the students you are working with. Organizational workIn Palestine you will be able to do organizational work where you will collaborate with small and large organizations working with children and young people, women and on human rights issues. Some organizations aim to strengthen early childhood education, while others work to disseminate the rights of specific groups.There are many possibilities for organizational work. Among other things, you can work in an organization that wants to strengthen the educational level of children in vulnerable situations. You can also work in an organization that are working with educating and informing young people about their right by social media. Other organizations aim to strengthen the alternative learning of children through sport.You will work with a combination of administrative and practical tasks. Administrative tasks may be, for example, translating English texts, fundraising, conducting interviews, writing articles, preparing lessons, or assisting with the organization s external and internal communications.Sports and cultureIf you like sports, dance or music, or are interested in recycling, music and art, you might be interested in working specifically with sports and cultural organizationsGenerally, the recipients of the activities of these organizations are vulnerable children and yo
🏠 Accommodation on site
In Palestine you will live with a host family where you will have your own room or share a room with another volunteer. There is access to electricity, and the conditions are usually good. You are going to live just like the local host family. The family and relationships you build during your stay will surely lead you to local events, but ultimately it is up to you to take the initiative and interact with the locals.You will live in small towns around Bethlehem, Ramallah or Hebron. Wi-Fi is available in most places, but may not always have the best connection. Genereally you will be able to walk to work within 30 minutes.Food and drinksThe Middle East is known for an incredible cuisine, and Palestine is no exception. You will taste delicious Arabic dishes such as flatbread with falafel, different stews, lentils, bulgur and fattoush. There is always access to safe drinking water (although it may taste different from what you are used to). You will be eating with your host family so it will mainly be home cooked meals.
📍 About the location
From day to day you can enjoy your host family or your friends, practice Arabic with your neighbors or explore the area. During the weekend you can easily visit the nearby cities, go out to the Dead Sea, visit the historic fortress or take part in one of the many Palestinian excursions. Some former volunteers did aerobics at a women s gym, took climbing classes at a local center, or joined a Palestinian hiker group.