Why did you decide to volunteer with Love Volunteers in Palestine?
Jen: I really didn't know much about the Occupation and how life was in an occupied territory. Most of my family also wasn't sure about me being over there, and I wanted to learn about it so I could come back and educate them on what they didn't know. I wanted to be in a place where I knew I would be having a lot of fun, and where I could hang out with other volunteers. I loved the idea of living in a volunteer house and being in an area that was very friendly to foreigners. The price was also a really big factor. My flights actually cost me more than my fees and spending money combined!
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Jen: Depending on the day, our duties changed. They also changed when we had a high school group staying with us for two weeks. During a regular work week, we would usually leave home around 845 to walk to the office/centre by 9am. Because the organization had just taken out a new long lease on a piece of land, so we did alot of "manual" labour. We put up a lot of security and barbed wire, finished the compost toilet, repainted the whole building, knocked down some walls, did some plumbing, played with/used jack hammers and sledge hammers, did some gardening, made some concrete, and occasionally played on the high ropes course. Every day we had some music playing, and it lasted all day.
Our weekends were a bit different because the rock wall was at a different location. Our mornings and afternoons were free, and we would work the rock wall from around 530 to 930. There would be other Palestinians there as well to translate for us. We would usually alternate helping kids into and out of harnesses, fitting a helmet, or belaying. If it was ever slow, we would occasionally go up the wall ourselves. Now that the centre is redone and the rock wall moved, there are sure to be kids at the centre every day after school and on weekends.
What made this volunteer experience unique and special?
Jen: Any preconceived notions I had about the Arab world as a whole, and also Palestinians were proved wrong. I learned so much from the people I met there (both Palestinians and other volunteers). Honestly, I wanted to miss my flight when I had to move on because I had such a great time and I wasn't ready to leave all of my new friends.
How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?
Jen: After this trip, I've actually changed what my dream job is and what I want to study in graduate school. I'm much more aware of what happens in the Middle East, and I'm always trying to find other information about the area. After seeing what Palestine is really like, I now want to work for the United Nations.