Participating in the Volunteer with Palestinian Children Program, which spans from 1 to 12 weeks, is an exceptional way to make a positive impact on the Palestinian community. Through spending time with the children, you have the chance to improve their lives and those of their families by providing educational and recreational activities, as well as emotional support.
Moreover, the program offers you an opportunity to learn about Palestinian culture, history, and language. This experience is not only meaningful for the children but also enriching for your own life as you acquire valuable knowledge and skills that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.
The Volunteer with Palestinian Children Program has been thoughtfully designed to foster international engagement and cultural exchange. By participating in the program, children can broaden their horizons and learn from experienced individuals from various fields.
Teaching English to Palestinian children can equip them with essential communication skills to connect with people from different parts of the world, which can broaden their horizons and unlock their potential. Knowledge of the English language can also increase access to higher education and improve employment prospects, opening doors to better opportunities.
What does volunteering with the Palestinian Children Program involve?
The Palestinian Children Program offers a variety of activities, including:
- Educational activities: International volunteers will design and implement activities that teach Palestinian children between the ages of 6 and 15, with a focus on conversational English. Rather than teaching grammar, activities will be hands-on, such as group work, presentations, games, and more. Volunteers may also have the option to organize activities in local schools for primary and secondary school students.
- Entertainment activities: Volunteers can participate in or organize fun activities for Palestinian children, such as music performances, drawing, sports, educational games, and arts and crafts. Palestinian volunteers will also assist in organizing these activities, so volunteers won’t have to do it alone.
In which location is the program held?
The program is situated in the city of Hebron, which is located in the southern part of the West Bank and is known as Al-Khalil in Arabic. It is situated approximately 30 km (19 miles) south of Jerusalem and is at the heart of Palestine. Hebron has a population of around 300,000 residents within the city itself, and an additional 500,000 inhabitants in the surrounding villages.
How long can I participate in the program?
Our volunteers can choose to participate in the program for a period of one week up to three months. Whatever length of time you choose, we will support you so that you have a great and unique experience at our center and in this wonderful city of Hebron.
Why GO Palestine is you best choice?
- We do not have any hidden or additional fees.
- We organize trips every week to areas in Hebron & Bethlehem.
- We offer 3 hours of Arabic lessons per week – Two classes with our best Arabic teachers.
- Our center is located in the heart of the city of Hebron, which makes it easy to reach, whether for our Palestinian students or for our international participants.
- We are very flexible about changing the start and end times of your program.
- We meticulously search for families that our female participants feel comfortable with during their stay in Hebron.
- We organize local visits to get acquainted with the most famous landmarks of the city of Hebron.
- We provide all kinds of assistance to our participants and guide them to make their experience more enjoyable.
- We also have an 8th-floor apartment for our male participants with a great view. It has everything they need in addition to being very close to the center (three minutes walking to the center).
Learn Arabic while Volunteering in Palestine – Individual Classes
Volunteering in Palestine is a great way to learn the Arabic language and make a difference at the same time. You can choose to learn Modern Standard Arabic or Levantine Arabic, depending on your needs and interests. You will have three weekly hours of Arabic, divided into two classes a week. By volunteering while learning Arabic, you will gain valuable experience while helping out in your community.
What are the benefits of the volunteering with Palestinian children program?
- Participate in activities and interact with Palestinian children, teachers, and other volunteers.
- Engaging in the Palestinian community, culture, and daily life
- Experience true life in Palestine and what it means to be a Palestinian.
- Accommodation, including either staying with a local host family or at our 8th-floor apartment. Private accommodation is also available with extra fees.
- Daily Palestinian breakfast.
- Three hours of Arabic lessons per week – Two classes/1,5 hours a class.
- Local visits to different places e.g. old city, and meeting with Palestinian families in Hebron city.
- Day Trips to refugee camps in Hebron & Bethlehem and some areas of political importance.
- At the completion of the program, you will get a participation certificate and a recommendation letter.
Our Partners & Collaborators
At Go Palestine, we value collaboration and partnerships with like-minded organizations and individuals. Our partners and collaborators include local and international NGOs, academic institutions, and community-based organizations. Through these partnerships, we work together to develop and implement programs and initiatives that address the educational, social, and cultural needs of Palestinian communities.
We believe in the power of collective action and are committed to building strong relationships with our partners to create positive change and promote cultural exchange. We are grateful for the support and collaboration of our partners and look forward to continuing to work together towards a better future.
Who can apply to the volunteer with Palestinian children program?
- The Palestinian Center has hosted people who have come from a myriad of countries, such as the USA, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Colombia, France, Japan, China, Chile, Switzerland, Russia, Germany and many more.
- The Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees program is open to all who are between 18 – 75 years old. All people from all countries and majors are welcome to join this program.
- Those who are younger than 18 years old can also apply but with one condition. One of your parents has to fill out and sign a parental consent form.
Volunteer with Palestinian children Program’s Fees
250$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 3 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
480$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 6 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
595$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 9 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
690$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 12 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
845$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 15 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1070$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 18 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1215$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 21 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1450$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 24 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1630$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 27 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1810$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 30 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
1990$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 33 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
2250$
American DollarThis includes accommodation, local visits, 36 hours of Arabic classes, daily Palestinian breakfast, day trips, and a certificate of participation.
What does the participation fee include?
| Accommodation | Host family or at our 8th-floor apartment Private accommodation is available with extra fees |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 Hours a Week – Two Classes a week/ 1,5 hours of Arabic each class |
| Meals | Daily Palestinian breakfast |
| Day Trips | To Refugees camps in Hebron & Bethlehem |
| Sightseeing | Historical & politically important places in the city of Hebron |
| Certificate | Certificate of participation & recommendation letter at the end of the program |
How to pay the fees? (Payment Options)
- You may pay your participation fees either by Bank Transfer or by Western Union or MoneyGram. Payment via Western Union and MoneyGram, you can do the transfer online using your credit card.
- Payment of fees and signing of the participation contract must be made to reserve your place in the program.
- In participation fees that exceed $800, the applicant can pay 40% in advance and the rest of the 60% must be paid 45 days before the date of participation.
- Unfortunately, the participation fees can’t be paid in cash, as we arrange your participation ahead of time.
How Do I Get A Visa To Enter Palestine?
Visas are routinely granted upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) if you are a citizen of an exempted country, or at the Allenby-King Hussein Bridge border crossing; Hamas controls the border in Gaza with Egypt. Tourist visas are valid for 90 days; most Americans and Europeans are issued three-month visas upon arrival and clearing customs.
If your home country does not have an exemption agreement with Israel, you will have to procure a visa from the Israeli embassy/consulate at home before you visit. Because many Arab countries do not accept Israeli stamps upon passports, Israel now issues their visa on a separate small card with a bar code indicating the visa time validity. Please keep this visa card WITH your passport at all times. You may check to see whether your native country participates in a visa exemption agreement.
When can I apply to the program?
- The Volunteer with Palestinian Children program has no deadline, which means that you can apply to the program year-round.
- You are allowed to choose when you want to start and end the program.
- The minimum period of participation in volunteering with children in Palestine is one week and the maximum amount of time you can volunteer is 12 weeks/three months.
Who are our volunteer & internship programs suitable for?
We at Go Palestine seek to provide internship and volunteer programs in Palestine, West Bank that suit everyone & achieve their expectations/goals of visiting and staying in Palestine. Our volunteer and internship programs in Palestine are suitable for everyone between the ages of 18- 75-year-old, which makes it available to:
- Students of universities, colleges and institutions of higher education.
- Graduates and postgraduates students.
- Academic researchers & field Researchers.
- Students who are working on writing their Master’s or PhD dissertations on topics related to Palestine or Middle East.
- Students are searching for internship or volunteer places in Palestine required by their university or college. University Credit is available.
- Gap year students who are looking to do a volunteer or an internship in Palestine.
- Students of Arabic literature, Arab studies, and cultural studies related to Arab and Middle Eastern culture.
- Students of Middle Eastern studies, Islamic studies, or studies related to the Middle East region or relevant studies.
- Anyone who is an eager to learn about different aspects of life in Palestine.
What does your weekly schedule look like?
We at GO Palestine are keen to make your weekly schedule diversified, rich, and organized. Thus, it will contain a number of educational, social, and fun activities that will make your experience in Palestine special and unique.
Breakfast starts at 9:30 am
The day at our center starts with a special Palestinian breakfast at 9:30 in the morning and ends at approximately 10:15. Our breakfast contains a number of ingredients, including Palestinian thyme (Zaatar), labneh, tomato and cucumber slices, falafel, hummus, mortadella, olives, yellow cheese, jam, pita bread, boiled or fried eggs, and French fries. The ingredients are changed (among the mentioned ingredients) from time to time to diversify the breakfast.
The Content of the program starts at 10:30
The content of your program begins at 10:30 in the morning and continues until 1:30 or 2:00 in the afternoon. This includes teaching conversational English to Palestinians (school students, university students, and community members). This differs depending on the program you are joining, please read the program’s description.
Lunch Break starts at 2:00 pm
At two o’clock in the afternoon begins the lunch break, which lasts for an entire hour. You can buy lunch from a restaurant next to the center. There are a number of restaurants nearby, which provide meals such as shawarma, falafel, and fried chicken as well as traditional Palestinian meals such as Maqluba, Hebron’s Qidreh, Chicken Mansaf or Lamp Mansaf, and other meals. There are also a number of supermarkets/malls nearby where you can buy what you need and cook yourself in the center.
Arabic Language Classes (MSA and Levantine/Colloquial)
Weekly, you will get two Arabic language classes for an hour and a half each. These classes are taught by one of our skilled/qualified teachers. Arabic language classes are held at different times, either in the morning or, in most cases, in the afternoon. The student can choose whether to study Modern Standard Arabic, Colloquial Arabic (Ammiya), or both.
Day Trips to Refugee Camps in Bethlehem & Hebron
Once every week, a day trip is organized to the refugee camps in Hebron and Bethlehem, as well as to areas of political importance whenever the opportunity arises. These trips will give you the opportunity to learn about the conditions of the Palestinian refugees, talk to them and learn their stories. These trips depart at 10:45 am from the center and end approx. at 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon.
Local Visits to Learn about the Landmarks of the city of Hebron
Once every two weeks, local visits are organized to the historical and economic landmarks of the city of Hebron. This includes a visit to the Ibrahimi Mosque, the Old City, and Al-Shuhada Street as well as visiting a number of factories in the city, such as keffiyeh, glass, and ceramic factories.
Prepare & Cook a Traditional Palestinian Dish
Once every two or three weeks, all our volunteers, interns, and Arabic language’ students join together to prepare and cook a traditional Palestinian dish. This includes preparing appetizers, frying vegetables, cooking rice, chopping chicken or meat, and stuffing some vegetables depending on the dish to be cooked that day.
Free Time starts at 16:00 or at 16:30
After your time in the center is over, you have free time where you can hang out with other international participants and/or locals you met during your stay in Hebron by going to a café or coffee shop or going to a park and enjoying your time in the evening. There are many cafes and parks not far from the center, as the center is located on one of the most lively streets in the city.
Do I need to know how to speak Arabic?
- Volunteers are not obligated to know Arabic. The center will provide you with 3 hours of Arabic lessons each week with one of our teachers.
- The participant can choose either to study Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) or Spoken Arabic Language (known as Ammyia) once they start their program.
| Place of Volunteer Program | Hebron (H1 – Under Palestinian Control), Palestine |
| Volunteer Program Fees | Starting From 250$ – American Dollar |
| Age | 18-75 Years Old |
| Minimum Period of Volunteering in Palestine | One Week |
| Maximum Period of Volunteering in Palestine | Three Months – 12 Weeks |
| Volunteering Hours | 4-5 hours a day – 5 days a week |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible – Anytime |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Program Language | English |
| Days off | Two days including Fridays & Thursdays or Saturdays |
| Arabic Lessons | 3 Hours a Week – Standard Arabic Or Ammiya |
| Educational Degree | Not Required |
| University Credit | Available |
Can I add more Arabic hours to my hours in the program?
Volunteers can add additional Arabic language instruction hours. Each extra hour costs $20.00. Please mention this in your application.
Things to know before you come to Palestine!
| Living Costs in Palestine | Approx. 50-70$ a Week |
| Weekend in Palestine | On Friday |
| Food in Palestine | The West Bank engages primarily in heavier meals involving the use of bread, rice, and meat, and coastal plain inhabitants frequent fish, other seafood, and lentils. |
| Wifi Access in Palestine | At houses, cafes, restaurants – Almost everywhere |
| 3G Service in Palestine | Available since Jan 2018 |
| The official language in Palestine | Arabic – Palestinian Dialect (One of the Levantine dialects) |
| Currency in Palestine | Mainly Israeli Shekel (NIS). Jordanian Dinar & American Dollars are also used in buying Real estate and land. |
| Transportations in Palestine | Yellow Taxies & Orange Mini-Vans |
| Weather in Palestine | Summer (25-30°C), Winter (0-9°C) |
| Nearest Major Airports to Palestine | Ben Gurion Airport in Israel if you travel via Israel Alia International Airport if you travel via Jordan |
Can I combine this program with another program?
Yes, this program can be combined with one or more of the other internship or volunteer programs that the Center offers. For example, you may choose one week or more to complete this program, and combine this with another week or more of another program.
May I extend my program duration while I am there?
Yes, volunteers are allowed to extend their participation period. In this case, volunteers must inform the center coordinator at least one week before the end of the current program.
What can be added to your volunteer program? “EXTRAS“
Our Achievements
- Experience in organizing international volunteer & internship programs for more than 12 years.
- Hosting international participants from more than 42 countries around the world.
- Cooperation & partnerships with more than 30 local community organizations in Hebron and Bethlehem.
- Our teachers & staff participated in various of international trainings and workshops in Europe and Middle East, including Spain, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Cyprus, Jordan, Turkey and India.
- GO Palestine is the representative of the International Kangaroo Mathematics Competition in Hebron.
- Partnerships with international organizations, including Go Abroad, Go Overseas, Idealist, Hey Success, Volunteer Match, and others.
What is the Application Process?
- First, send us an email asking for the application form.
- We send you the application, and you fill out the application and send it back to us.
- Our team reviews your application. We may invite you for an interview by means of a Skype/WhatsApp call.
- If you are selected after the interview, we will send you a confirmation form which you fill out and return to us.
- We prepare and send you the Invitation Letter and the Contract. We will also send you the invoice for payment, which will include all the information regarding payment options.
- You will sign the contract and make payment in order to reserve your place in the program.
- We will send you an Orientation Booklet and travel instructions. These two items will provide you with all the information on how to get to Hebron and contact the Center. One of our coordinators will provide his/her contact number within an email sent to you.
Documents you’ll receive from us!
Important Articles to READ – Please Click to Read
How to apply or get any additional information?
Please email Mr. Tamimi, at [email protected]. Please type “Volunteer with Palestinian Children Program” in the subject line. In the body of the email, tell us of your interest, ask any questions you may have, and request an application. Very shortly, we will reply to you.
