Volunteer Work In Palestine: By volunteering in Palestine with Engage in Palestine, volunteers can make a difference in Palestinian communities and learn more about the area’s intricate history and culture. Palestinians face various issues, such as limited access to essential resources, restrictions on movement, and political instability. Despite these obstacles, numerous volunteer programs and organizations allow people to help bring about constructive change in Palestine.

Volunteering in Palestine, whether it involves teaching English or helping Palestinian refugees, maybe a fulfilling and gratifying experience that can also improve the lives of others while providing opportunities for important personal and professional growth. 

In this article, we will discuss volunteer work in Palestine, including some of the most popular volunteering fields and volunteer opportunities in the West Bank. 

There are many kinds of volunteer programs and areas of volunteering available in Palestine, each with its unique focus and requirements. Below, we outline some of the most popular fields for volunteer work in Palestine. 

Volunteer Work In Palestine
The Palestinian Refugees Summer Program 2025

Volunteer Work With Palestinian Refugees

Many international volunteers come to Palestine because they want to volunteer to support Palestinian refugees living in refugee camps who have been displaced for several generations. There are still many refugee camps in both the West Bank and Gaza. However, volunteers will find it virtually impossible to enter Gaza because it is under Israeli blockade and siege.

To name a few refugee camps in the West Bank, there are Al-Fawwar and Al-Aroub camps near Hebron, Dheisheh, Aida and Azzeh/Beit Jabrin camps near Bethlehem, Askar and Balata camps near Nablus, Aqbat Jabr camp near Jericho, and Jenin Camp near Jenin. Palestinian refugees face many difficulties and are often marginalized communities, so volunteer work is a powerful way to make a positive impact on their lives.

Volunteers can help in providing much-needed support and advocacy. There are several fields for volunteering with Palestinian refugees, from teaching English to teaching the art of sports to Palestinian refugee children, providing medical care, and working on construction projects. These volunteer initiatives can raise the standard of living for refugees while allowing them to advance themselves personally and professionally. 

Where Is Engage In Palestine? 

Engage in Palestine is located in Hebron in the West Bank of Palestine. Hebron is the largest city in the West Bank and is a bustling city where Palestinians come from all over to go shopping. The old city in Hebron is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Hebron is also home to the famous Ibrahimi Mosque. On top of this, however, Hebron is also a city on the frontline of the Israeli occupation. It is the only city in the West Bank with Israeli settlers living inside part of the city itself. This makes Hebron a very important city, not only historically and economically, but also to see and understand the effects of the occupation. 

Our Short-Term Volunteer Opportunities in Palestine

Engage in Palestine offers a range of short-term volunteer programs that allow volunteers to positively impact the local Palestinian community and gain a deeper understanding of Palestinian culture, society, and daily life. Our volunteer work programs, which range in length from one week to three months, are adaptable and customized to the individual’s needs and interests.

1. Community Development Volunteer Program in Palestine

The Community Development Program through Engage in Palestine offers a unique opportunity to engage with the Palestinian community by working with local organizations. This program is ideal for those who wish to support Palestinian children, women, youth, refugees in camps, and other community members in and around Hebron, West Bank.

Engage in Palestine is now accepting applications for its Community Development Volunteer Program in Palestine for 2025/2026. This program focuses on supporting Palestinian youth, children, refugees, and women. It offers an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to volunteer in Gaza or the West Bank, allowing them to make a meaningful impact in local Palestinian communities while immersing themselves in Levantine culture.

2. Internship with Palestinian Children

Internship with Palestinian Children: This program offers an excellent opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students, professionals, retirees, social workers, and teachers interested in volunteering with Palestinian children. It is also ideal for both native and non-native English speakers who wish to gain experience working with children in Palestine. Those interested in childhood education will especially benefit from this hands-on experience. Interns will fully immerse in Palestinian culture, daily life, politics, the human rights situation, and the educational system, providing a unique and enriching perspective on the region.

Interns in Palestine can join our program for the period of time that best suits them, anything from (1-13 weeks) in duration. They can come any time of the year as we are flexible regarding starting and ending dates. People of all backgrounds and nationalities are welcome to apply, the only condition being that you must be at least 18 years old to join.

3. Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages

Volunteer in Local Palestinian Villages: This program offers an excellent opportunity for individuals of all ages, from students to retirees, to work directly with Palestinian communities in villages and rural areas of the West Bank, including Dura and the Hebron Hills, such as Masafer Yatta, Susya, Umm Al-Khayr, the Al-Fawwar refugee camp, and Bani Na’im. Volunteers will collaborate with Palestinian children, youth, women, and refugees to enhance their skills and participate 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.

4. Human Rights Volunteer Program in Palestine

The Human Rights Volunteer Program in Palestine is designed to introduce the subject of Palestinian human rights in an environment that will help you grow personally and professionally. This human rights volunteer opportunity in the West Bank is great for those interested in gaining experience in humanitarian aid, Palestinian refugees, diplomacy, political science, and international law while building their Arabic language skills and intercultural competency.

Additionally, you will visit human rights organizations, Palestinian refugee camps, and Palestinian community centers and attend meetings with human rights activists, workers, law teachers, students, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Participants in this program will work to raise awareness of the situation in the West Bank while also giving voice to local communities. The interns will be at the forefront of relationship-building between international visitors and locals.

5. Teach English And Study Arabic in Palestine

The Teach English and Study Arabic in Palestine Program is designed for students, native and non-native English speakers, graduates, professionals, and retirees seeking teaching opportunities in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and the broader Arabic-speaking world.

This program offers the unique chance to live in Hebron, Palestine, meet diverse people, and contribute to the local community by volunteering to teach English to Palestinian children, youth, and community members. During the internship, you will also have the opportunity to study Levantine or Palestinian Arabic, enhancing your cultural immersion experience.

6. Volunteer With Palestinian Orphanages

Volunteer With Palestinian Orphanages: Hebron City, in the Occupied West Bank, is home to several orphanages that provide essential care and support to thousands of Palestinian children who have lost one or both of their parents. The high number of orphans in the region is largely due to ongoing conflict, military occupation, economic hardship, and limited access to healthcare. Some children lose their parents to direct violence, such as military raids, airstrikes, and clashes. Others are caused by the impact of long-term instability, including imprisonment of family members, displacement, or lack of access to health services. 

There are approximately 7,000 orphans in and around Hebron city, ranging from infants to young adults. These orphanages provide essential services such as housing, education, medical care, and psychological support to children without stable family situations. They often rely on funding from local charities, international donors, and religious organizations to support their operations. Some orphanages also function as social enterprises, operating businesses like kitchens and grocery stores to generate income and further support their work.

7. Volunteer In Local Schools In Palestine

Volunteer in local schools in Palestine: This program is a fantastic opportunity to positively impact the lives of Palestinian children, refugees, and youth. Our Volunteer in Local Palestinian Schools program in Hebron, West Bank, is a unique scheme that welcomes both native and non-native English speakers and students, graduates, professionals, and retirees interested in enhancing the English and life skills of local students.

Volunteer With Orphanages in Palestine

As a volunteer, you can visit local Palestinian schools, refugee camps, and villages around Hebron, where you can make essential contributions to the Palestinian community in the West Bank, Palestine. Participating in this program helps the students gain valuable skills and knowledge while learning about their culture and way of life. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone passionate about education, community development, and making a difference in the West Bank, Palestine.

8. Journalism and Media in Palestine Program

Volunteer in Journalism and Media Program in Palestine: Engage in the West Bank is proud to offer our Journalism and Media Internship Program, based at our headquarters in Hebron, West Bank. We invite students, undergraduates, travelers, and anyone interested in the Israeli and Palestinian political situation to create journalism and media projects with our team. We will help you learn the ropes for reporting the news, writing articles, finding/fact-checking sources, and using various media forms. 

Interns with the Journalism and Media Program in Palestine will gain valuable experience teaching Palestinian children, school students, and refugees about the power of media and journalism. This program is an excellent way to meet and network with Palestinians throughout the West Bank, learn about their lives, and give them a voice by reporting on daily life in Israel and Palestine. This course is also a great opportunity for anyone interested in traveling throughout the region, whether to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus, Tel Aviv, Haifa, or Hebron. You can help report on the local political situation and assist the local youth in doing the same. 

9. Volunteer in Medicine and Healthcare In The West Bank

The Medicine and Healthcare Program in the West Bank will suit many potential volunteers, including medical professionals, pre-med students, medical school students, or those considering a healthcare career. Under the supervision of local professionals, volunteers will gain valuable experience with the Palestinian healthcare system, local hospitals’ work, and local universities’ medical and healthcare specializations. 

Engage in the West Bank is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible volunteer and internship programs in Hebron, West Bank. Our programs are designed for both native and non-native English speakers who are eager to contribute to the Palestinian community while learning Arabic. We offer diverse programs, including healthcare, medicine, public health, and Palestinian healthcare initiatives in the West Bank.

10. Volunteer in the Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine

Volunteer in Environment and Conservation Program in Palestine: You are invited to join us at Engage in Palestine and volunteer in our Environment and Conservation program, aimed at teaching Palestinian youth, refugees, and children about the importance of preserving the environment. In the West Bank, Palestine, there is a pressing need for such programs as many residents of Hebron are unaware of the harmful effects of littering and environmental neglect on their own lands and streets.

This volunteer program is an excellent opportunity for students, graduates, and travelers interested in environment and conservation in the West Bank. If you’re a university student looking for an environment and conservation program abroad to supplement your studies during your summer break, this program is ideal for you.

Short-Term Volunteering In Summer

The most popular season for volunteering is over the summer, from June to September. Many people, including retirees, teachers, professionals, and current students, have a summer break or sufficient spare time for volunteering. Many volunteers come to Engage in Palestine for volunteer work during this time, from anywhere between 1 and 13 weeks.  

Summer is an excellent time to volunteer because you will have the chance to make new friends and enjoy the pleasant weather while also making the most of your summer vacation. We will also introduce you to Palestinian culture, take you on numerous excursions in and around Hebron, and give you some free time to explore new places with your new friends. We can also provide you with academic credit if you are a current university student seeking credit for your volunteer experience.

Palestinian Refugees In The West Bank, Gaza and Diaspora

The ongoing Occupation has created a very significant refugee population both inside Palestine and outside of Palestine. Palestinian refugees are not only the largest group of refugees in the world but are also the longest suffering. About 64% of Gaza’s population and 26% of the West Bank’s population are internally displaced Palestinians who are originally from other areas in historic Palestine, such as Yaffa, Haifa, and Al-Naqab. 

In the diaspora, there are around 7 million Palestinians, most of whom are exiled and denied their right to return to their homeland by Israel. Many refugees in the diaspora are still living in refugee camps in Syria, Jordan, or Lebanon. Our programs focus on Palestinian refugees living in Hebron governorate and the surrounding area. 

Children in Palestine

Nearly half (43.9%) of the Palestinian population inside of Palestine consists of children under the age of 18, 41.7% in the West Bank and 47.3% in Gaza. This means that there are many young people in Palestine who not only have all the pressure of growing up, but they are growing up under Israeli occupation. Palestinian children are the future, so it is particularly important to care about them, support their development, and empower them to create better futures for themselves and their country.  

Volunteer Work In Palestine
Volunteer in a Sports Project in Palestine

What Do You Need To Be A Volunteer With Us?

  • Age 18-70 years old (although exceptions can be made if approved by our director)
  • The ability to communicate in English
  • The ability to work with an international team
  •  Patience and enthusiasm
  •  Eagerness to learn

What Don’t You Need?

  • The ability to speak Arabic
  • Travel or work experience
  • To be a native speaker of English
  • Experience in teaching English as a foreign language

Please note that some programs may have additional requirements. For example, if you wish to volunteer with Palestinian children, you must undergo a safeguarding interview. This is so that you fully understand your responsibility as a caretaker of children, as well as the laws and protocols in place to protect children from abuse. Another example is that to volunteer in our Medicine & Healthcare program, it’s a requirement to have prior experience in healthcare work.

Duration of Short-Term Volunteer Programs

Our short-term volunteer work programs are flexible in duration and timing. You can choose whether to volunteer for as little as one week or up to 13 weeks. We have a 13-week maximum duration due to the 90-day limit of the Israeli tourist visa that allows you to volunteer in Palestine. In addition to this, volunteers are free to choose their own start and end dates all year round. 

Flexible Booking

At Engage in Palestine, we understand that plans change due to a change of heart, unforeseen circumstances, or emergencies. So, with all of our volunteer programs, internships, and Arabic courses, we give you the flexibility to adjust or delay your travel plans.

Is it Safe to Volunteer in Palestine in 2025?

All of our programs have flexible start and end dates. During the application process, you can choose when to begin and when to end throughout the year and for 1-13 weeks. 

Need To Make Date Changes?

If you need to make any date changes, you can do this for free at least two weeks before your original start date. However, if you wish to cancel or change your dates within two weeks of your original start date, any payments you have made will be converted to a credit that you can use towards any other program in the future with us or with our sister location in Germany.

Help Make A Long Term Difference With Us

Through all of the programs we run from our center in Hebron, we aim to make a long-term difference for both the local Palestinian community and you by exchanging ideas and “walking in each other’s shoes.” We ensure that all of our programs are well-researched and targeted to have a real impact and effectively foster shared learning. Participating in volunteer work in Palestine is a meaningful way to spend some of your valuable time, and it’s also a way to enrich your own life as well as the lives of those in the local and wider communities. 

Volunteer Work Impacts

Short-term volunteer work in the West Bank can improve various aspects of your life, including your professional and personal prospects and those of individuals in our local Palestinian community. You will be able to gain valuable skills in a range of areas while positively impacting the Palestinians you engage with. Ultimately, volunteering abroad in Palestine can significantly impact your personality and open your eyes to new perspectives, fresh possibilities, and unexpected friendships.

Choosing to Engage In Palestine Has Many Benefits

Engage in Palestine offers numerous benefits to our volunteers through its short-term volunteer programs. Some have already been discussed in this article, while other key benefits are outlined below.

  • We arrange and provide accommodation for you in Hebron (in either a homestay or shared apartment).
  • We provide a daily Palestinian breakfast (except Fridays) at our center, which we share with other participants and staff.
  • All of our volunteers receive three hours of Arabic lessons per week (more can be added for an additional fee) in your choice of Levantine Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, or Colloquial Palestinian Arabic.
  • Our Arabic classes are taught one-on-one or in small groups (2-5 students), allowing for personalized instruction and an immersive environment. 
  • All of our volunteers get two days off per week. This allows you ample free time to visit nearby local and international cities such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho and the Dead Sea, Nablus, Tulkarem, Qalqiliyah, Jenin, Haifa, Eilat, Tel Aviv, Masada, Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Tiberias, Nazareth, Netanya, Safed, Amman, Aqaba and Wadi Rum. 
  • We provide pre-departure and then ongoing in-country support for the duration of your program. 
  • We can provide you with academic credit towards your studies for current university students.
  • We provide all of our wonderful participants with a certificate to reflect the completion of their program. 

Reviews and Awards

Engage in Palestine has proudly earned several Community Awards, was recognized as the Best Language School Overseas, and was the Top Provider of Volunteer and Internship Opportunities abroad for the years 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. 

Check out our many great reviews here:

Summary 

In conclusion, Engage in Palestine offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for anyone interested in visiting Palestine, positively impacting the local community and enriching their own life. Volunteer work at Engage in Palestine is short-term, with volunteers being able to choose the length of their program from 1 to 13 weeks. Volunteers can also participate at any time throughout the year; this makes it very flexible for volunteers to contribute their time and expertise when it best suits them. 

Volunteers can select from a variety of programs depending on their interests and skill sets, ranging from helping women’s empowerment efforts to human rights to medical volunteering to teaching English. Engage in Palestine also offers volunteers opportunities for cultural immersion and learning about Palestinian society and history.

In addition to improving the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank, volunteers at Engage in Palestine can also develop essential skills and experience that they can utilize in their personal and professional lives. Any volunteer activity at Engage in Palestine, whether it is tutoring an English student or leading a course on leadership techniques, can help create a brighter and more resilient community in Palestine. In general, giving back to the community through volunteer work with us is a rewarding experience that can have a long-lasting effect on both individuals and the local Palestinian community. 

We hope to receive your application to join us for one of our volunteer programs soon!

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at:

Info@ecpalestine.org

WhatsApp:+972 599 479 880

Website: https://ecpalestine.org/

EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter

 

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