Introduction to volunteering in the West Bank
The West Bank is a fascinating place, home to over five million Palestinians. It is subject to Israeli military Occupation meaning that while it is still relatively open, Israel controls all the borders and crossings into the West Bank. It is a place with a rich history stretching back thousands of years and certainly a fascinating place for volunteers to come and do work in from all around the world.
Is the West Bank safe?
Many negative media reports circulate in the media about Palestine and while it is true Gaza is a real no-go area because of the ongoing blockade and siege, the West Bank is relatively stable.
Where Gaza is a constant open wound of ongoing skirmishes, the West Bank is fairly conflict free. Admittedly there are clashes and deaths on occasions, but these tend to be highly localised to certain areas and as an outsider, foreigners generally get privileged access to places which allows them to avoid the worst excesses of any dangerous situations.
What is the culture of the West Bank like?
The West Bank has fascinating culture stretching back to the Roman, Byzantines, Arabs and Ottomans in centuries past. Today the culture is strongly influenced by its neighbours, Jordan and Turkey particularly. Levantine songs from Syria, Iraq and Lebanon are popular, while the general Arab culture of extreme hospitality prevails.
People are generally very friendly and welcoming to outsiders, wherever they come from and will often invite you into their home for a tea and coffee or even a full mealIslam is quite strictly observed throughout the West Bank so alcohol is generally not very prevalent. Instead there are many coffee shops dotted around which also serve argila (or shisha as it is sometimes known) for people to smoke in the Ottoman style.
What sort of experience will I have volunteering in the West Bank?
The West Bank makes for a fantastic volunteering experience because the locals are so hospitable. There are also so many people who need help, so you can really make a difference in local communities and see first hand the impact you are having.
In any volunteer program here, you will likely begin to learn the culture and even the language (or continue learning it if you have some experience of it already).
How do I find role volunteering in the West Bank?
It is always advisable to do plenty of research before undertaking a volunteer program anywhere. This is especially true of the West Bank. Whilst most organizations that operate here are scrupulous and above board, there are always rogue elements, so it pays to do your due diligence.
Check volunteer testimonials and feedback on sites such as Go Overseas to assess an organization’s trustworthiness. There is nothing worse than getting to Palestine and realizing the experience you were promised is completely different to what you actually get when you arrive there!
Volunteering in the West Bank in Hebron, West Bank
If you are keen on volunteering in the West Bank, you may want to check out some of the programmes on offer from the Excellence Center. The Excellence Center offers a full suite of programmes ranging from volunteering as an English teacher to volunteering in Palestinian hospitals to a human rights programme and a volunteer journalism programme. All of these are well established and highly regarded programmes, since the Center’s founding seven years ago.
The programs are run flexibly, lasting from one week up until three months (the maximum time you can obtain an Israeli visa for), depending on the needs and commitments of the volunteer in question. We find many people volunteer in the summer time due to university or school holidays, so there is often a great mixture of international volunteers and local, permanent Palestinian staff during this time.
Equally, Spring can be a great time to visit as the weather is a little milder, though still very pleasant! Winter means more face time with the Palestinian staff here, allowing you to learn Arabic quicker as a result. The conclusion? Any time is a good time to visit and volunteer here!
All programs include Arabic tuition as a standard. On arriving here you will be assigned a liaison manager to assign your duties and liaise with the local community to see where your help is needed most. You will also be assigned a dedicated person Arabic tutor to help you improve your language level and interact with the locals. In both cases, the person assigned is based on your previous experience and language skills.
Final remarks
In terms of the social side of things, Hebron is a bustling metropolis – the biggest city in the West Bank and the volunteers usually band together to find interesting things to do in the evening. Then there are the numerous weddings and other invitations from locals which will ensure you will always be offered the chance to do something and go somewhere to get fed!
The ultimate attraction of these programs though is the ability to help local people resist the pressures of Occupation and try to live their best lives in light of what is understandably a very tricky situation.
Any Questions?
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact at Rafat@excellencenter.org
Whatsapp:+972599479880
For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org
Excellence Center’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter
Excellence Center’s 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
