Volunteer with Palestinian Refugees (1-12 Weeks)

Merhaba! My name is Oliver from the USA. I took part in the volunteer with refugees program for two weeks. Being immersed in the Palestinian culture and seeing the country is just an additional perk to the overall program. I had the opportunity to help the Palestinian refugees to learn English, and it was a great experience. The Go Palestine's staff is amazing, they will be there anytime you ask for a help, they will make your experience more enjoyable. They were awesome.

I also experienced visiting refugee camps in Hebron and Bethlehem every Monday, and it was an eye-opening to me. During the two weeks, I was able to help to teach conversational English to school students aged 12–17 years old, I had amazing and funny moments with them during the classes. Finally, I want to say that, the Go Palestine volunteer program is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to volunteer and make a meaningful impact on the community in Palestine. Will come again Inshallah!

My experience with the Palestine center was one of the most fulfilling experiences I have done in my many years of travelling. Whilst, I was here I was able to help teach school children in a refugee camp essential English skill that could really change the course of their future.

The center was also great in preparing visits in our free time to see other cities in Palestine and they exhibited a real interest in ensuring everyone who stays with them has a robust experience with regards to the culture and the amazing food that exists in the country. I, like many, had some trepidation before travelling to Palestine and Hebron. However, after arriving at the center, my thoughts on safety could not have been further from the truth. The people in Hebron are so accommodating and kind, as well as the center putting a great emphasis on the safety of those who stay at the center.

I regularly would go out in the city at night and not have any fear of my safety given how amazing the hospitality and virtue of the Palestinian people was. I would highly recommend anyone who has ever thought about visiting Palestine and the West Bank to definitely consider the center as it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life and made for a fulfilling and eye opening experience

My name is Patrick, and I come from Denmark. During my stay in Hebron, the Palestinian Center has helped me obtain deeper knowledge about the conflict and the conditions here.

Through teaching English in Hebron and at a nearby refugee camp, I was given an amazing opportunity to interact with people, learning about their point of views, and their local customs, all the while making new friends. Additionally, I met up with local activists, and I learned about different initiatives being done in order to better the situation of the Palestinian people.

Palestinian culture offers both openness, kindness, and delicious culinary experiences. It has been very easy to get to know people from all over the place, even getting invited into their homes.

While there are frequent demonstrations, Hebron is generally safe for foreigners. Westerners are not being targeted, and with the use of some precaution, it is possible to stay out of any conflict.

I would definitely recommend visiting Hebron and volunteering at the Palestinian Center for anyone, who is interested in Arabic language and culture, politics, and international relations. You will gather hands-on experience, and widen your perspectives regarding the Palestinian situation.

Hello, my name is Amin Abdelaziz, I am a 20-year-old student studying Law at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom and I have just completed the Volunteering with Refugees program at Go Palestine. My experience volunteering in Hebron, Palestine was very different from my other volunteering experiences. Volunteering in Hebron was an eye-opening experience for me, even as a Palestinian who knows fully well the extent of the occupation, I witnessed first-hand the hardships that everyday Palestinians face here. Something as simple as going to the mosque to pray is restricted with checkpoints and Israeli soldiers interrogations. However, contrary to popular belief, I have never felt unsafe in Hebron. If anything, I feel more unsafe back in England! Hebronites are very lovely and respectable people who love foreigners! I have heard ‘Welcome to Hebron!’ countless times. Palestinian hospitality is incredible; you may even receive free coffee or food from local shops!
I have never taught English and although I was nervous at the start, that feeling quickly subsided when I taught my first class. The students were attentive and eager to learn and I was impressed by their willingness to learn another language. This seemed strange to me as a boy who has grown up in the Western World, I have always heard my fellow classmates complaining that they don’t want to go to school! I told the Palestinian students about this and their response shocked me. They said that education is the strongest weapon you can have to fight the occupation. I will forever remember that statement and will always be grateful for the things I have and for the things I take for granted.
Moreover, whenever I needed assistance, the staff at Go Palestine were always ready to give a hand which I found very beneficial. They have helped me plan and guide my first few lessons.
I must also say that the staff went above and beyond my expectations by organizing various activities from visiting the majestic glass factory to arranging meetings with different Palestinian families and speaking to them about their experiences. They have even cooked traditional Palestinian food for us which was delicious. My favourite activity was exploring the old city of Hebron and the Ibrahimi mosque as well as speaking to Palestinian lawyers and discovering the origin of Palestinian law.
My three weeks volunteering have unfortunately come to an end, I have had so much fun teaching the students in Dura, Al Arroub Camp and at the Centre and I really wish them well and I hope they succeed in life. I definitely recommend Go Palestine for anyone who wants to give a hand for the less fortunate. Volunteering and teaching English really does make a difference in people’s lives and they appreciate you for that.

My time with Go Palestine:
My name is Adam Suleman, they call it the Excellence centre and personally I could not think of a more fitting name for the centre as my experience here has been nothing short of excellent.
During my time with Go Palestine I have been shown around the different parts of Hebron such as the old town which is rich in history, I was also shown places which are of much significance to Hebron such as the Ibrahimi mosque and Shuhada Street which again both have a deep history and story behind them, and then during my final week with Go Palestine I would come in for breakfast every morning which was delicious and then go to teach English classes to children at a children’s centre in Al Arub.
During my time here I have had the opportunity to look further in to Palestinian culture, such as getting to experience the amazing food, the historical sights and the life style here in Hebron. For me above all else I was amazed by the level of respect and hospitality shown by the people of Hebron, that will definitely be the quality that sticks out the most for me during my time spent in Hebron.
There was never a time when I did not feel safe walking around Palestine, I felt safe at all times, the people that I met did more than enough to make me feel at home.
I would most definitely recommend the programmes available with Go Palestine to anybody that is interested or curious in volunteering.