Description

Do you want to help make a difference in people's lives in Palestine? Do you want to be part of a grassroots project that uses sustainable living techniques to address the problems caused by the Israeli Occupation of Palestine? Are you tired of capitalist "gap year" volunteer projects that charge outragous fees and pocket most of the money? Bustan Qaraaqa is the place for you!

Bustan Qaraaqa is a sustainable living initiative located 2 kms outside of Bethlehem in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We believe that the first step towards effective non-violent resistance to the Israeli Occupation is the formation of a grassroots permaculture movement in Palestine. On our site, we sow and grow drought resistant trees, experiement with alternative methods of building, we turn rubbish into usable materials, experiment with water recycling (in the form of grey water systems), and water conservation (in the form of a compost toilet), and re-introduce Palestinian youth to the Palestinian environment on guided walks through the local landscape.

Highlights

At Bustan Qaraaqa, volunteers participate in a five day work week. Two days are dedicated to project work on the Bustan Qaraaqa site, two days are dedicated to work with our local community partners, and one day is put aside for tidying up at Bustan Qaraaqa.

On your two free days you are welcome to go sightseeing in Bethlehem, take daytrips to other cities, relax at Bustan Qaraaqa, or participate in a local demonstration. We also sometimes go on group hikes during the weekend, which volunteers are welcome to join.

Specific tasks vary from season to season, but if you want to learn about permaculture and sustianable living hands on, the opportunities here are endless.

The Bustan Qaraaqa site is not located in an overly conservative neighborhood, so drinking beer on site is okay, so long as you are respectful about noise and behavior.

Qualifications

Bustan Qaraaqa is proud of being an inclusive, as opposed to exclusive project. We have no requirements regarding age, education, skill level, or religion. No prior experience in permaculture or sustainability is required to volunteer at Bustan Qaraaqa. So long as you are ready to work hard and work a lot, you are welcome here.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

We charge 500 NIS (New Israeli Sheckles) per week, and that includes all food/coffee/tea, lodging on our mixed-gender volunteer dorm, and transportation to community projects.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country staff support

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

There is no typical volunteer! From families with teenagers, to couples in their 80's, everybody is welcome and useful at Bustan Qaraaqa. No experience? No worries :) Bring your sense of humor, willingness to work hard, and desire to help Palestine.

Age Range

18-105

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Other

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-3 days

Bustan Qaraaqa's Mission Statement

Bustan Qaraaqa (the Tortoise Garden) is an initiative in the Palestinian West Bank, promoting the use of permaculture design to protect and restore the degrading environment, and restore dignity and self reliance to people living under the daily grind of ongoing military occupation. Working closely with our neighbours, we are creating a model permaculture farm in the town of Beit Sahour (Shepherd's Fields) close to the world famous city of Bethlehem. Bustan Qaraaqa is seeking to propagate a grassroots permaculture movement in the West Bank, working primarily with farmers and with youth. We believe passionately that permaculture can help to address some of the urgent challenges currently facing the Palestinian people.

Year Founded

2008