Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages and Rural Areas: This program is an excellent opportunity for anyone, from students to retirees, to work directly with Palestinian people in villages and rural areas of the West Bank. Volunteers will work with Palestinian children, youth, women, and refugees to enhance their skills and engage in educational and recreational activities. 

Volunteers will also learn Arabic to communicate with the locals and visit sites of Palestinian cultural and historical significance in and around Hebron city. This program is a great opportunity to deepen their understanding of daily life in Palestinian communities, security challenges, and resilience under occupation. 

Volunteer in Palestinian Villages and Rural Areas for 2025/2026

The Excellence Center in Palestine now accepts applications for its Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages and Rural Areas Program for 2025/2026. This program is perfect for individuals passionate about education, community development, and cultural exchange who are looking to volunteer in Masafer Yatta, Susya, Dura, or Palestinian villages in the West Bank.

Volunteers will work with Palestinian children, youth, women, and refugees in villages and rural areas near Hebron. Through educational and recreational activities, volunteers will support local communities and help enhance their skills. Participants will also learn Arabic to connect with locals and better understand life in Palestinian villages under occupation.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the resilience of Palestinian communities while experiencing cultural immersion and making a lasting impact on education and human rights.

About Volunteering in Palestinian Villages Around the West Bank 

Rural villages in the West Bank, especially those close to settlements, face many challenges in their daily life. For some communities, having international volunteers present can make them feel safer doing their daily activities.

Volunteers will undergo activities like teaching English, engaging in or organizing activities for children and young people, and participating in daily life. During their time here, participants might also create educational workshops with a specific audience in mind, such as Palestinian children, youth, or women, to teach new skills while also fostering meaningful cultural exchange.

This volunteer program is ideal for those interested in political science, human rights, or politics of the Middle East who would like to pursue a career in advocacy or human rights. The program spans anywhere from 1 to 13 weeks, depending upon the volunteer’s preference.

Where You Can Volunteer In Palestinian Villages and Rural Areas 

Some places around Hebron city where volunteers might spend time are Dura and Hebron Hills, such as Masafer Yatta, Susya, Umm AlKhayr, Al Fawwar refugee camp, or Bani Na’im. During your orientation week, you will learn more about each of these places and their needs. Placements will be allocated based on the volunteers’ choices and the community needs they would be placed in.

Depending on the duration of their time here, volunteers can choose one or two Palestinian villages to visit. Usually, a volunteer would spend time in just one village for a shorter stay to make the most impact possible.

Depending on the placement area, volunteers may be based at the Excellence Center in Palestine’s accommodation in Hebron city and commute to their village. Alternatively, they may be based in their town and stay in guest accommodation. This is more likely for villages where daily travel in and out is more prolonged or difficult. 

Volunteer With Palestinian Villages and Rural Areas In the Summer

While we operate our program year-round (Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring), we also have summer volunteer programs specifically designed for students seeking opportunities to go abroad while gaining university credit.

The Excellence Center in Palestine can offer our currently enrolled university students academic credit through a partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education. This makes for the perfect opportunity to travel to Palestine/Israel during your summer, gain hands-on experience in a related field, and work towards your degree simultaneously!

Why Volunteer In Villages and Rural Areas in Palestine?

The West Bank area controlled solely by the Palestinian Authority (Area A) makes up only 18% of the total land mass. Travel between Palestinian towns and cities is difficult, as they are split up between areas B (controlled by both the Palestinian Authority and Israel, 22% of the land mass) and C (controlled by Israel, 60% of the land mass). Israeli settlements in the West Bank are often constructed close to Palestinian towns and villages, and even a large city like Hebron is divided into H1 and H2 sectors. 

As the settlements have grown, so have the difficulties and restrictions on local Palestinian life. In some Palestinian villages, houses are routinely demolished without warning, and permits to build again are almost impossible to obtain. Having international volunteers present in Palestinian towns and rural areas is helpful for the people to go about their daily lives uninterrupted, especially where there have been instances of conflict with settlers. 

By joining the Excellence Center in Palestine, you support a local Palestinian village and the Palestinian community in general. We offer low-priced courses for Palestinian students to empower lower-income families and give them access to affordable education and extra English language classes. The Center also provides free workshops, seminars, and courses to support Palestinian refugees in Hebron.

Make A Difference In Palestinian Communities

As a volunteer in this program, your primary responsibility is to provide educational and cultural services within Palestinian communities, such as Dura and the Hebron Hills, including areas like Masafer Yatta, Susya, Umm Al-Khayr, the Al-Fawwar refugee camp, and Bani Na’im, where you will be hosted. The Excellence Center in Palestine focuses primarily on education, as this is a critical need in these communities. The importance of spending time in these areas and engaging with the local people cannot be overstated.

Because these Palestinian villages are outside the main city centers, the people residing within them have limited opportunities to connect with international visitors and practice their English. Having English gives them better work opportunities and helps them share their stories and experiences. Therefore, the Center tries its best to respond to this need by organizing educational and community activities to unite Palestinians and international participants. 

Finally, volunteers in Palestine can play an essential role in contributing to the Palestinian community’s well-being. Your work with us helps to develop and build pathways to understanding. Many opportunities are offered for volunteer projects in Palestine that support education and focus on community development.

Benefits of Volunteering With Palestinian Communities

In addition to their work with the Center, volunteers will also spend 3 hours a week in complimentary Arabic courses. These classes are designed so participants may better assist the people they are working with, hoping they connect on a fundamental level. Additionally, trying to learn the local language is a mark of good diplomacy and respect for the culture, one that is noted and appreciated by all those you meet.

Participants will also take part in Center-led excursions to various historical and politically significant sites within Palestine. These excursions generally include visiting the Old City of Hebron and the neighboring cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem while also touring refugee camps to understand Palestine’s contemporary political situation better.

Other Ways To Help

It is important to note that the contents of this program are flexible based on the needs and interests of our volunteers. If education is not your forte, there are several other ways to volunteer and assist refugees in Palestine. Volunteers can organize workshops and activities to build skillsets, such as improving CV and resume content and presentation, creative exercises exploring different art forms, or even sporting events and cultural festivals. Volunteers are especially encouraged to create unique opportunities by utilizing their skillsets and expertise.

For example, healthcare professionals could provide medical aid or assist local NGOs with a medical focus to assist refugees within the camps. Volunteers with a special skill or expertise in performing arts are encouraged to organize concerts and other live performances for cultural enrichment. The Excellence Center in Palestine has previously worked with volunteers to host live music venues and even circus events, so ideas are not limited. 

Schedule For Volunteers

The First Week

Your first week in Hebron is about getting settled in and familiar with your new surroundings. 

Breakfast is provided every morning at the Center (except the Friday holiday) and typically consists of bread, olive oil and za’atar, hummus, labneh, baba ghanoush, falafel, cucumber, and tomato–basically everything you would find in a traditional Palestinian morning meal. Center staff, volunteers, and interns all sit together during breakfast as custom dictates, allowing everyone to connect while creating stronger communal bonds. 

The Center also facilitates regular excursions into Hebron and neighboring cities throughout the week, allowing you to see the city and learn some of its history. Evenings are usually free, allowing volunteers to explore the city and its many restaurants, shops, and historical sites alone or together. 

Importantly, volunteers also attend Arabic courses twice weekly for an hour and a half per session, which will require some study and preparation. This will enable you to speak some language with the people in the village or area of their placement. 

After the First Week

Volunteering for the Excellence Center in Palestine requires commitment and flexibility. Volunteers are expected to work approximately 30 hours weekly from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Participants will have two days off per week, one on Friday when the Center is closed and another day of their choosing. 

You will travel to your chosen village or rural area to begin your volunteering. During this time, you will get to know the people in the community, how everything works, and about daily life, and you will begin to plan your time here. You can work with the Excellence Center in Palestine staff to prepare a program that includes English instruction, learning Arabic, organizing events, and other activities as agreed between you and the community. 

On the weekends, there is plenty of time to travel to different areas, including Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus, Jericho, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and others! 

Who is this Program For?

The Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages and Rural Areas Program is perfect for those passionate about elevating human rights, improving the lives of people in Palestinian communities, and becoming more informed about the political situation in the West Bank, explicitly concerning human rights issues and daily life in a rural Palestinian context. Additionally, those interested in diplomacy, international law, and politics of the Middle East will find this program beneficial while gaining real-world experience. 

This program is especially beneficial for university students, as the Excellence Center in Palestine can provide academic credit to program participants through our partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education. Additionally, recent graduates will find this to be a great opportunity to apply their specialty while building their skills contextually. 

Housing

When residing in Hebron, participants in the program can either stay with a Palestinian host family (depending on availability) or in a lovely apartment just a 5-minute walk from the Excellence Center. Both options offer unique advantages.

Staying in the apartment provides extra time to bond with other participants and volunteers, fostering a sense of community. Located near Hebron’s metropolitan Center, the apartment offers convenient access to explore the vibrant city with fellow roommates, opening the door to many new and exciting experiences!

Residing with a host family will give participants an intimate view of Palestinian daily life, customs, and culture. They will become familiar with family structures and taste some of the delicious Palestinian cuisine. Participants will likely be invited to family gatherings and cultural events, guaranteeing a culturally immersive experience! 

Participants may also choose to live in private accommodation, requiring them to cover their own expenses. If this option is preferred, we will help you find a suitable living situation. 

For this program, participants may also stay in guest accommodation in their village, depending on the placement area. Whichever housing option participants have, their time in Palestine will be immersive, enriching, and memorable!

In Which Language Is The Program Run? 

All of our programs are geared toward English speakers. However, for the sake of immersion, the higher the Arabic course level, the less English will be utilized in the classroom. Additionally, students must use their Arabic skills to the best of their ability when navigating through Palestine, ensuring a fully immersive experience.

General Information Regarding Program Costs and Components

Program Location	Hebron, Palestine
Program Fees	Starting at €250 (See Prices Here)
Registration Fees	€30
Age	18-70
Duration	1 Week – 3 Months
Teaching Hours	3 Hours Per Week
One Teaching Hour	45 Minutes
Number of Participants	1-5
Program Focus	Volunteering in Villages and Rural Areas Human Rights Volunteering With Children Teaching English
Related Subjects	Middle East Studies Arabic Language and Literature Political Science Case Studies on Israel-Palestine Humanitarian Aid
Start/End Dates	Flexible To Fit The Participants’ Schedule
Application Deadline	No Deadline
University Credit	Available
Educational Degree	Not Required
Program Language	English/Arabic

Summary

In conclusion, the Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages and Rural Areas program provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Palestinian culture while making a meaningful impact in local communities. You will be engaged in areas such as Dura and the Hebron Hills, including Masafer Yatta, Susya, Umm Al-Khayr, the Al-Fawwar refugee camp, and Bani Na’im, where you will be hosted. you will be hosted.

The Excellence Center in Palestine focuses primarily on education, as this is a critical need in these communities. The importance of spending time in these areas and engaging with the local people cannot be overstated.. Volunteers empower children, youth, women, and refugees in underserved communities by engaging in educational and recreational activities. The program’s flexibility, ranging from one week to three months, accommodates diverse participants, from students to professionals passionate about human rights and community development.

Beyond volunteering, participants witness the resilience of Palestinian communities and gain firsthand insights into life under occupation. Staying with host families, exploring cultural landmarks, and collaborating with local organizations create a truly immersive experience that blends education, advocacy, and cultural exchange. Whether teaching, organizing workshops, or joining community events, volunteers contribute to developing Palestinian villages while fostering cross-cultural understanding and building lasting connections.

How To Apply

If you are interested in participating in this program, please, write to us at Rafat@excellencenter.org. We should respond to your initial inquiry within 1 business day.

In the subject line of your email, write “Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages and Rural Areas.” Upon your response, we will attach an application form, which you will fill out and return to us to begin onboarding.

Get Further Information 

For more information, please visit our website: https://excellencenter.org/

Engage in Palestine: https://ecpalestine.org/

WhatsApp:+972 599 479 880

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