If you’re looking for a meaningful way to work with Palestinian refugees living in challenging conditions, consider joining the Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees program. This program offers a unique opportunity to interact and engage with refugees, and participate in various activities and events that take place in refugee camps located in Hebron. During your stay, you will mainly teach conversational English to the refugees, and make a positive impact on their lives. The program is available for durations ranging from one to twelve weeks.
The primary aim of the Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees program, which spans from one to twelve weeks, is to bring together individuals from around the world with Palestinians, with the goal of raising awareness about the refugee situation in Palestine. By listening to the personal stories of Palestinian refugees, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the impact that the Israeli occupation has on their daily lives.
By taking part in this program, you will be given the opportunity to actively participate in social, educational, and community activities that are designed to benefit the youth, children, and women living in the refugee camps. Despite the challenging circumstances that exist within these camps, participants will quickly learn that the individuals residing there strongly believe that education is the most effective means for them to advocate for their rights.
Volunteer with refugees in Palestine and make a difference
Volunteering with Palestinian refugees can be an incredibly rewarding and eye-opening experience for international volunteers. Not only does it offer the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need, but it can also provide volunteers with a deeper understanding of the complex political and social realities of the region. Working with Palestinian refugees can also help volunteers develop cross-cultural communication skills and empathy, as they are exposed to different worldviews and experiences.
Additionally, volunteering with Palestinian refugees can offer opportunities for personal growth and self-reflection, as volunteers confront their own assumptions and biases. Overall, volunteering with Palestinian refugees can be a transformative experience, offering both practical skills and personal insights that can enrich the lives of volunteers and the communities they serve.
Who are the Palestinian refugees?
- You might think that Palestinian refugees are only those who live outside of Palestine as a result of the war that occurred in 1948. For instance, you may think of those who live in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, etc.
- However, there are Palestinian refugees who also live in the West Bank and Gaza. There are around 22 camps in the West Bank that have approximately 176,000 refugees and 12 camps in Gaza that have about 478,000 refugees.
How can they be refugees in their own country?
The fact is that in 1948 when Israeli armed groups started to attack Palestinian towns, villages, and cities, Palestinians were forced to evacuate to safer areas. Most of them were displaced either to the West Bank or to Gaza. Palestinians who left their homes and evacuated decided to settle in the West Bank and Gaza temporally, clinging to the promise that they would return to their houses one day. They have been waiting ever since.
In what location does the Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees program occur?
- The Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees takes place in the heart of Palestine, in the city of Hebron. Hebron (Al-Khalil in Arabic), is located in the southern part of the West Bank. It is 30 km (19 miles) south of Jerusalem.
- The population of Hebron is about 300,000 persons who reside in the city, and about another 500,000 who live in the surrounding villages.
Activities you will participate in
Educational activities
As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to create and organize educational activities for Palestinian children and adults. These activities will include conversational English classes that focus on improving their speaking skills. Instead of simply teaching grammar, the primary focus will be on helping them practice and improve their ability to communicate.
To make the learning experience more interactive and engaging, volunteers will use various teaching methods such as presentations, games, and group work. Additionally, volunteers will have the chance to visit local schools and organize educational activities for primary and secondary school students in the refugee camp.
Entertainment activities
Solo Travel to Palestine
The program also includes the opportunity to participate in organizing entertainment activities for Palestinian refugees. These activities can range from music, drawing, sports, games, to arts and crafts activities. Rest assured, you will have the support of Palestinian volunteers to help you organize these activities.
- Whether you are traveling to Palestine alone or with a companion, it promises to be a unique and memorable adventure. Like any destination, safety is a key consideration, but with proper planning and a dose of common sense, you can enjoy your travels without unnecessary worry or expense.
- Palestinians are known for their friendly and hospitable nature, and they are eager to engage with visitors from all over the world. Interacting with locals can enhance your experience and provide you with new insights and perspectives. In fact, if you are traveling alone, you may find that people are more likely to approach you and strike up a conversation.
- Don’t let fears or doubts hold you back from experiencing all that Palestine has to offer. Embrace the opportunity to explore this fascinating destination and create memories that will last a lifetime. As the saying goes, “the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” Allow yourself to read the entire book – a journey you will never forget!
Who can apply to the volunteer with Palestinian refugees program?
- The Palestinian Center has had the pleasure of hosting people from a multitude of countries, including the USA, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Colombia, France, Japan, China, Chile, Switzerland, Russia, Germany, and many others.
- The Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees program is open to individuals of all nationalities and academic backgrounds, between the ages of 18 and 75 years.
- For applicants under 18 years of age, parental consent is mandatory. To apply, one of their parents must complete and sign a consent form.
What is the duration of the program in which I can participate?
Volunteers have the flexibility to participate in the program for a duration of one to twelve weeks. Regardless of the length of your stay, we are committed to providing you with the necessary support to ensure that you have an exceptional and one-of-a-kind experience at our center and in the beautiful city of Hebron.
Our Strong Network of Partners & Collaborators
At GO Palestine, we value our partnerships and collaborations with various organizations, institutions, and individuals who share our vision and mission. These partnerships allow us to enhance our programs, expand our reach, and provide the best possible experiences for our participants.
We work closely with local community organizations and NGOs, as well as international partners, to ensure that our programs have a positive impact on the communities we serve. Our partners and collaborators provide us with valuable resources, expertise, and support that enable us to create meaningful and sustainable change. Together, we are committed to making a difference in the lives of Palestinian refugees and creating a better future for all.
Why GO Palestine is the best choice for volunteering in Palestine?
- No hidden or additional fees.
- Weekly trips to areas in Hebron & Bethlehem.
- 3 hours of Arabic lessons per week with our best teachers.
- Flexible start and end times to suit your needs.
- Conveniently located in the heart of Hebron.
- Comfortable accommodation with carefully selected host families for female participants.
- City tours to the most famous landmarks of the city of Hebron
- Full assistance to make your experience enjoyable
- Male participants can enjoy an 8th-floor apartment with stunning views, fully equipped with everything they need, and just a three-minute walk to the center
Do I need to know how to speak Arabic?
- Volunteers are not required to have prior knowledge of Arabic language. As part of the program, the center offers three hours of weekly Arabic lessons taught by our instructors.
- Upon joining the program, participants have the option to choose between studying Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) or Spoken Arabic Language (commonly known as Ammyia).
Adding More Arabic Instruction Hours during the Program
Certainly, volunteers have the option to enroll in additional Arabic language instruction hours at a rate of $20.00 per hour. If interested, please indicate your preference in your application.
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.
Advantages of volunteering with Palestinian refugees
- Experience Palestinian hospitality and immerse yourself in the Palestinian culture by interacting with Palestinian families and refugees.
- Enjoy a daily Palestinian breakfast at the center.
- Attend 3 hours of weekly Arabic lessons, consisting of two classes with a duration of 1.5 hours each.
- Explore local sites in Hebron and discover the rich history of the city.
- Accommodation options include staying with a local host family, at our 8th-floor apartment, or private accommodation for an additional fee.
- Participate in day trips to refugee camps in Hebron and Bethlehem, as well as politically significant areas.
- Upon completion of the program, receive a participation certificate and a recommendation letter.
Who are our volunteer & internship programs suitable for?
At Go Palestine, we are dedicated to providing exceptional internship and volunteer programs in Palestine’s West Bank that meet and exceed the expectations of all participants. Our programs are open to a diverse range of individuals between the ages of 18 and 75, making them accessible to:
- University and college students of all levels, seeking to enrich their education with first-hand experiences in Palestine.
- Graduates and postgraduates looking to gain valuable insights and skills to advance their career prospects.
- Academic and field researchers seeking to conduct in-depth studies of Palestine and the Middle East.
- Master’s or PhD students conducting research on topics related to Palestine or the Middle East.
- Students seeking internship or volunteer opportunities in Palestine to fulfill their university or college requirements – university credit is available.
- Gap year students looking to make a meaningful impact and gain unique experiences 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 with a passion for learning about different aspects of life in Palestine.
What Does a Typical 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 am 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 program’s content commences at 10:30
The program content starts at 10:30 AM and lasts until 1:30-2:00 PM. It involves teaching conversational English to Palestinians, such as school and university students, and community members. The program’s details may vary, so please refer to the program description for more information.
Lunch Break starts at 2:00 pm
During your program, you will have a lunch break that starts at 2:00 pm and lasts for one hour. You can purchase lunch from a nearby restaurant that offers a variety of options including shawarma, falafel, fried chicken, and traditional Palestinian meals such as Maqluba, Hebron’s Qidreh, Chicken Mansaf or Lamp Mansaf. Alternatively, there are also supermarkets and malls located nearby where you can purchase ingredients to cook your own meals in the center.
Arabic Language Classes (MSA and Levantine/Colloquial)
Every week, you will receive two Arabic language classes, each lasting an hour and a half, taught by one of our skilled teachers. The classes take place at different times, either in the morning or, in most cases, in the afternoon. You can choose 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 when 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 cafés and parks not far from the center, as the center is located on one of the most lively streets in the city.
When can I apply to the Program?
- The Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees 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 refugees in Palestine is one week, and the maximum amount of time you can volunteer is four weeks/one month.
Cost of Volunteering with Palestinian Refugees
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/ 1,5 hours of Arabic lessons each |
| Meals | Daily Palestinian breakfast |
| Day Trips | To Refugees camps in Hebron & Bethlehem & some areas of political importance |
| Sightseeings | Historical & politically important places in the city of Hebron |
| Certificate | Certificate of participation & recommendation letter at the end of the program |
Payment Options: How to pay the fees?
- Bank Transfer or Western Union/MoneyGram: You may pay your participation fees via these methods.
- Online Transfer: For Western Union and MoneyGram, you can do the transfer online using your credit card.
- Reservation: Payment of fees and signing of the participation contract must be made to reserve your place in the program.
- Advanced Payment: In participation fees that exceed $800, the applicant can pay 40% in advance and the rest of the 60% must be paid 45 days before the date of participation.
- No Cash Payment: Unfortunately, the participation fees can’t be paid in cash, as we arrange your participation ahead of time.
How Do I Get A Visa To Enter Palestine?
Visas are routinely granted upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv) if you are a citizen of an exempted country, or at the Allenby-King Hussein Bridge border crossing; Hamas controls the border in Gaza with Egypt. Tourist visas are valid for 90 days; most Americans and Europeans are issued three-month visas upon arrival and clearing customs.
If your home country does not have an exemption agreement with Israel, you will have to procure a visa from the Israeli embassy/consulate at home before you visit. Because many Arab countries do not accept Israeli stamps upon passports, Israel now issues their visa on a separate small card with a bar code indicating the visa time validity. Please keep this visa card WITH your passport at all times. You may check to see whether your native country participates in a visa exemption agreement.
| Place of Volunteer Program | Hebron (H1 – Under Palestinian Control), Palestine |
| Volunteer Program Fees | Starting From 250$ – 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 combine this program with another internship/volunteer program?
Certainly, it is possible to integrate this program with any of the additional internship or volunteer programs provided by the center. For instance, you have the option to complete this program for one week or longer, and then supplement it with an additional week or more of another program.
May I extend my program duration while I am there?
Absolutely! We welcome volunteers to extend their participation period, and we understand that sometimes you may want to stay longer. If this is the case, we kindly ask that you inform our center coordinator at least one week prior to the conclusion of your current program. We want to make sure that you have the opportunity to continue making a positive impact in our community for as long as possible!
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 |
What can be added to your volunteer program? “EXTRAS“
- Additional hours of Arabic language over the specified hours per week for $20 per additional hour.
- Private tours to other cities in Palestine including Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin and Jericho. Click HERE to learn more about the tours organised by Go Palestine.
- Pick-up and drop-off service from Ben Gurion Airport directly to Hebron within an hour and a half. The cost of the service is 130 USD (one way).
- A place for your friend or partner to live in Hebron, in our apartment in Hebron, or with a Palestinian family. Click HERE to check our hostel & private apartment in Hebron.
What is the application process?
- Email us requesting the application form.
- We will send you the application form, which you can fill out and return to us.
- Our team will review your application and may invite you to a Skype/WhatsApp interview.
- If you’re selected after the interview, we’ll send you a confirmation form to fill out and return to us.
- Next, we’ll prepare and send you an Invitation Letter, contract, and invoice with payment options.
- To reserve your place in the program, sign the contract and make the payment.
- You’ll receive an orientation booklet and travel guide to Palestine, which will include details on how to get to Hebron and contact the center.
- Finally, we’ll provide you with a coordinator’s contact number via email.
Documents you’ll receive from us!
Important Articles to READ – Please Click to Read
Need to apply or learn more?
If you’re interested in volunteering with the Palestinian Refugees Program, we would love to hear from you! Simply email Mr. Tamimi at info@gopalestine.org, and make sure to include “Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees Program” in the subject line. In the body of your email, feel free to share your interest, ask any questions you may have, and request an application. We’ll be sure to respond to your message as soon as possible, and we look forward to hearing from you!
