Christmas in Bethlehem and restoration of ancient sites
Bethlehem
Volunteer project: The project seeks to bring people of various cultures together to build bridges of understanding, reconciliation, and peace. The long term goal of the project is to prepare youth to make positive contributions to society through the values of understanding, helping, contributing, tolerance, and respectful coexistence. These goals are achieved through education, awareness, youth empowerment and international volunteer projects.
The volunteers will work in different areas in Bethlehem city and the surroundings. The work includes renovation of old sites near the Church of the Nativity and assisting the Bethlehem municipality in preparing for the Christmas celebrations. The activities involve painting, renovation, restoration, gardening, tree planting, etc.
The volunteer project will be running at Christmas time, and Bethlehem is the best place to celebrate Christmas and to witness this unique cultural experience.
Language: English
Cultural activities: The afternoons will be dedicated to a program of educational and cultural activities that will expose volunteers to Palestinian culture and history, and will enable them to understand the realities of life in Palestine. The program will include lectures, documentaries, visits to refugee camps in the Bethlehem area and tours of places of interest. The program will provide many opportunities for interaction with locals. Volunteers will have a chance to speak with Palestinian activists and to ask whatever questions they have about the situation in Palestine.
Accommodation: The volunteers will be hosted in apartments in the city of Bethlehem (20 minutes walking distance from the Nativity Church). Men and women stay in separate rooms. The accommodation includes hot water and a kitchen with basic equipment.
Location: Bethlehem is considered a central hub of Palestinian cultural and tourism industries. The city has significant value for Christians as it is considered the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth according to the Gospels. Bethlehem is also home to one of the largest Palestinian Christian communities in the Middle East. In addition, Bethlehem has three Palestinian Refugee Camps (Dhisha, Al-Azza and Aaida).
Age range: 18 and over
Extra fee: 300 Euro
The extra fee is intended to support the local host of the project who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival.