Your guide to volunteering in West Bank, Palestine: Palestine is a fascinating country due to its history, its culture and its current political situation. However, it can be overwhelming when considering where to volunteering in this special place due to concerns in the media over security and just the size of the place. 5 million people live in the West Bank spread across several important cities, so finding the right location is critical.
Beyond that, it is important to find a programme with a trustworthy organisation as not all organisations are automatically scrupulous. Additionally, it is worth taking time to identify the correct programme for you, as your priorities might not always be the same as the organisation in question’s.
Selecting the right location
It is not recommended for potential volunteers to operate in Gaza as most countries will advise against travelling there due to the ongoing security issues. It is a place fully under siege, so the West Bank offers the only real opportunities for volunteering in Palestine. In the West Bank, there are several influential cities: some have a fascinating history like East Jerusalem, Jericho and Bethlehem, while others like Ramallah and Hebron are big bustling modern cities.
Where you go depends on what is most important for you. If you want to go somewhere which has interesting culture and history, you will need to do research to find the right place for you. Others might be more interested in going somewhere lively where there are more young people and fun things to do while they are there.
Selecting the right organisation
Most organisations offering volunteering programmes will have the best of intentions, but it is always a good idea to be diligent when selecting the right organisation. Be sure to read testimonials from former volunteers and compare review ratings if available.
An organisation might have a mission or programme you feel strongly about, but if it is not organised in an effective way, it may not be very fun for the volunteers while they do the programme. It’s important therefore to find an organisation which is well-run and balances the needs of the volunteers with the needs of the organisation.
Selecting the right programme
The same rules apply here as when selecting the right organisation. The programme is massively important and of course volunteers will want to make sure they are making as much impact with their time as possible. However some organisations may not be well run and while their programmes look interesting, they might not actually be beneficial to volunteers.
Another consideration is your CV as the right programme volunteering in Palestine can be really useful when applying for jobs. Volunteering in Palestine can help a volunteer develop very important skills like adapting to unfamiliar circumstances, dealing with adversity and project management.
Volunteering in Hebron, West Bank
The Excellence Center in Hebron, West Bank offers lots of different opportunities to volunteer in Palestine with a wide range of programmes. Whilst it is still important to do your research and identify which programme is most relevant for you, this process is much easier because there are so many programmes to choose from.
The Excellence Center combines the organisation and resources of a private sector organisation with the outreach capacity and connections of a leading non-government organisation in the area. The organisation is highly reviewed by former volunteers and offers very flexible terms for all of its programmes.
The Center has a fantastic atmosphere, combining a large pool of international volunteers with a permanent Palestinian staff to create all the right conditions for cultural exchange.
Being in such close proximity to native Arab speakers also allows volunteers to rapidly increase their language level. The Excellence Center provides accommodation for all volunteers either in apartments close to the Center or with host families. The Center is located in the heart of Hebron (or Al-Khalil as it is known by locals) on the busy Ain Sarah Street, with access to lots of facilities, shops and restaurants.
Hebron is a fantastic city – the biggest in the West Bank with several hundred thousand residents. The locals are very friendly and despite how big the place is, it has a small town mentality with people saying hello and good morning to each other as they walk down the street. There are lots of great cafes and restaurants to hang out in and there are opportunities to shop everywhere.
Hebron is also well-situated to visit other cities and go hiking; the city has a fascinating history, traditionally being the location for the tombs of Abraham and his wife and children. It is a centre of commerce and industry and living here provides a unique insight into Palestinian life.
Find us online
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
