Description

English is very important for both the pursuit of higher education and employment in Palestine. It is is often the primary language in post-secondary level education and many university scholarship opportunities hinge on the ability to speak English. Many jobs require English language proficiency and interviews are conducted in English. In a country with over 50% unemployment, this makes English invaluable.

We aim to make the classes relaxing and fun and our teachers encourage an open environment where the students can experiment with what they are learning in order to improve their language skills and develop confidence in their abilities.

Though we do teach grammar, our emphasis is on actual communication. Many Palestinians learn grammar in school, but with poor results in actual communication. This is because of a lack of proper English teachers, a poor learning environment and no practical experience using the language. Thus, they do not learn to communicate properly. Only a privileged few have access to the proper resources to actually learn to communicate in the language. Our classes aim to make learning a language accessible to all people, whatever their background.

We partner local and international volunteers as this maximizes our human resources and takes advantage of skilled people already in the community that can share their skills with others. This also allows the local teachers to develop their English and teaching skills, and is something to add to their resumes too.

The classes make for better conversations and facilitate intercultural dialogue between teacher and students. The Palestinian students are able to gain a deeper understanding of - and learn to express themselves better to - the outside world. Within our system almost any proficient English speaker can volunteer as a teacher.

There are also mental health aspects to our classes. People are able to learn new skills that they may enjoy learning while encouraging them to think about how these skills can help them with their future -- in a time when they are very uncertain about their future. Students are able to do something enjoyable in a social setting while learning these new skills, breaking the boredom and monotony of everyday life. They are given a chance to express themselves positively in a second language with an audience of local and international friends.

Highlights

All volunteers are welcome to come from abroad and participate in our programs. As a volunteer, Project Hope wants to use your initiative and skills. If there is something you can do, we will try to find a way for you to do it

You will derive satisfaction from doing your best to help a people in need. A wide range of experiences are possible. In addition to working with Project Hope, we hope for you to get involved in the local community. We will do our best to introduce you to new Palestinian friends and the local social life. You will likely find yourself with more friendly invitations than you can handle.

You will have the opportunity to live in, work in and see different strata of Palestinian society. This includes refugee camps, cities and villages. You may choose to work on your Arabic, and speak to us about arranging this. Participation in Project Hope is something you can add to your CV or resume.

Qualifications

* Volunteers must have qualifications and experience in teaching English.
* Preferably this will include teaching different age groups from 5 to adult, and from beginners to advanced and conversational classes.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 150 per month and USD 100 one off payment

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Project Hope is a volunteer driven organization. To maximize our donations towards programs and due to limitations of funding, we ask volunteers to contribute a monthly fee to cover the cost of their volunteering.

Recruiting and volunteer hosting costs money in all honesty and it is rare that grants will pay toward these costs. To implement and continue with the volunteering program that you are partaking in it is currently essential that volunteers take an active role in supporting it.

We have balanced this financial need with our goal of making it as easy as possible for qualified individuals to volunteer with Project Hope in Palestine.

Accommodation = 150.00 (USD) per month of volunteering

Each volunteer is expected to contribute funds towards the monthly costs of the facilities we provide to volunteers, which includes: co-ed volunteer accommodation with bed, Wifi Internet, television, DVD, cleaning, washing machine, kitchen facilities, all utilities and gas, and access to office equipment for personal use.

Material + Equipment = 100.00 (USD)

Project Hope has a small budget for materials, especially activities arranged outside the main program. Our partner centers, often poor organizations in the refugee camps, have even fewer resources. We encourage volunteers to fundraise to purchase equipment and materials for our activities. Volunteers may be particularly interested in raising funds for projects they propose to Project Hope.

Experience Required

yes

Volunteers need to have English teaching skills and experience of working with students of different ages and abilities.

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

We are looking for volunteers who are self-starters, who have initiative and new ideas, are responsible and able to work independently, have some teaching experience and ideas about how best to share their knowledge with students, are willing to respect the local culture, even if it means making adjustments or sacrifices, will be able to adapt to the challenges of a conflict environment, have a genuine desire to contribute their time and skills and want to make a difference in the lives of the children and youth of Nablus. Our volunteers range in age from 21 to 73 and come from all over the world. Whilst many are in the 20s and 30s, we are actively encouraging more mature volunteers who have a broader range of experiences and skills to impart.

Age Range

21 - 99

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of Partnered with a local volunteer

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

several Weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Project Hope: Humanitarian Opportunities for Peace and Education's Mission Statement

Project Hope is a non-profit volunteer organization whose goal is to provide a participatory, educational space for war-affected children in the Near East. Committed to the principles of international humanitarian law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, our aim is support children denied access to basic services: by providing educational and recreational activities, medical and humanitarian relief and practical training that can empower them with hope and skills for the future. We aim to achieve these goals through an efficient, effective, accountable and participatory approach that focuses on child protection, with gender equality and advancement as an integral part of our mission.

Year Founded

2003