Human Rights Internship: Meet Rachel “I spent the last three months as a Human Rights volunteer/intern with The Excellence Center, and will depart with one of my most significant life experiences. I came to Palestine, with a special interest in the political situation, both on a personal level, and a national level, coming from Ireland – a country that strongly criticises the human rights violations committed by Israel upon the Palestinian people.
I am grateful to the dedicated coordinators of The Excellence Center Marwa and Osama, for making my time here so valuable by providing many opportunities, and catering to my requests so that I could I have a vastly informative experience about the Israeli occupation, from the local to the national level, as well as an insight into the bureaucratic, legal, economic, social, healthcare systems; and the media.
The first week, Ma’moon hosted the Human Rights in Palestine Lecture, and he covered everything from memory. He recalled specific dates, and intricate details from memory. Ma’moon is a very skilled teacher, as well as a wonderful person, with whom I became very good friends.
The inclusion of Arabic lessons in the programme is a vital aspect, and my teacher Marwa made the classes very enjoyable and easy to learn. Marwa was patient, and always so kind even when I was struggling with the alphabet at the beginning, because I found it tedious to study!
I was fortunate enough to have one on one classes, and so we tailored my classes to learn as much vocabulary and language as possible according to my learning capacity. Marwa is really open minded and approachable, I could confide in her about anything, and have definitely made a friend for life!
There is always a relaxed, easygoing, fun, vibrant environment in the Center. With such a diverse, international family from Palestinian to Irish, British, Australian, German, Norwegian, Danish, Filipino/a, everybody was so kind and friendly.
During my time in Hebron, I travelled around the West Bank, visiting Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jericho, Jerusalem, Nablus and Masafer Yatta.
I always felt very safe in Palestine. Palestinian people are one of the kindest and hospitable I have ever met, I was surprised to see that Osama even leaves his car unlocked! During my first week, I also lost my phone temporarily in a “service” and the taxi driver went completely out of his way to track it down and retrieve it for me.
I stayed with a Palestinian host family, who are so generous, kind and hospitable. However, as I am thirty years old, and used to being very independent, I found it hard to really mix with the family, as it is not in my nature to stay home all the time. I enjoyed being involved with other local human rights organizations, so while I was fairly independent, I did not feel as quite independent as I would do, when I am usually abroad.
I think it would be worthwhile to stay with a host family for possibly one month, however I think it would be in The Center’s advantage to open a shared accommodation for female volunteers, perhaps from age twenty-five upwards. As a vegetarian/vegan living with a host family, particularly a very traditional one, it was awkward for me to cook hot food.
I personally have forged a very strong bond with Palestine, and am very sad to leave. I would really like to come back in the future and possibly stay for at least six months. Palestine is one of the most beautiful, culturally rich places I have ever visited, with the most incredible, kind, funny, resilient people, and I wish to continue learning Arabic so I can return and converse like a Hebronite!
My favourite experience to date is visiting Masafer Yatta. Thanks to The Excellence Center, I was introduced to this enriching place, with breathtaking scenery, and some of the most sorrowful situations I’ve seen, where houses and schools are being demolished. After I returned more than five times, to stay with the local people and their children, appreciate the magnificent landscape and document their stories that so desperately need to be heard and broadcast.
I truly had one of the most enriching, enlightening and productive three months of my life, and I’m so thankful to my Excellence Center family for giving me this opportunity. I know it will not be the last time that we shall cross paths!”
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