Introduction:
This work camp will expose volunteers to daily life in the Occupied West Bank. Volunteers will conduct renovation work in Hebron and Bethlehem, and the nearby Battir village. The latest is an ancient village that was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Despite the efforts from the occupation forces side to stop it, the community and the people of Palestine managed to have it enlisted. The work in all these locations will include, renovation of old sites, planting trees, learning about the challenges facing voluntarism in Palestine.
The afternoons of the work camp will be dedicated to an educational, social and cultural program of activities. The aim is to expose volunteers to the reality of life in Palestine in the context of the ongoing Israeli occupation and the Palestinians people resilience. The program will educate volunteers on Palestinian culture and history, and the origins of conflict in the region. The program will also introduce volunteers to various civil society entities who are working towards a future Palestinian state. Civil society plays a crucial role in Palestine, helping people to stay resilient in the face of the many challenges brought about by the occupation.
Project Description:
The work will include the following activities:
- Renovation work within the old city of Hebron and the village of Battir including its ancient water canals.
- Assisting the rebuilding of a wall in Battir that leads to an ancient water cistern at the edge of the village. This wall will help locals and internationals to reach the water cistern, establishing it as a touristic attraction. IPYL080 “ Easter in Palestine ” “ Rehabilitation, agriculture, social and cultural ”
- Renovation work in several locations close to the railway line that was established in the Ottoman Empire era and that connected Turkey to Palestine. The railway (completely dominated by the occupation- Palestinians are not allowed to use it.
- Visits to a refugee camp in Bethlehem that is surrounded by the apartheid wall that was constructed by the Israeli occupation forces.
A detailed program will be send out to volunteers prior to the start of the work camp.
Cultural, social and educational activities:
As mentioned above, the afternoon will be dedicated to educational and cultural activities that will expose volunteers to Palestinian culture and history, and that will help volunteers to understand the reality of life under occupation. The program will include lectures, display of documentaries, visits to refugee camps in the Bethlehem area and tours of other places of interest. The program will provide many opportunities for interaction with locals. Volunteers will have the opportunity to speak with Palestinian activists and to ask whatever questions they have about the situation in Palestine.
Food and Accommodation: The volunteers will be hosted at the IPYL volunteers flat in Hebron (20 KM south city of Bethlehem) men and women will stay in separate rooms. The accommodation includes hot water, kitchen and hangout space. The place has fast internet connection including computers and presentations equipment (the media center of IPYL is beside the flat). The volunteers will cook breakfasts and dinners by themselves (daily cooking teams to be established). Lunch will be served during the work time. Tea and coffee will be available all the time at the form and the hangout space.
There might be curfew for the work camp, which would be around midnight, unless we have some activities around outside that night/evening.
The camp is alcohol and drugs free, volunteers can’t drink alcohol during the camp duration. The camp leaders will designate some local bars (Bethlehem only) where volunteers can drink.