Volunteering with the Excellence Center in Hebron

My name is Jessica, I'm Belgian, I have a degree in Communications and work in the field of financial inclusion.

During my three-week stay at the center, I had the chance to assist English language teacher courses for teenagers, and to conduct individual interviews with young university students.

Living in Palestine could not be done this time (it's not my first stay in Palestine) without learning the language. Saja, my teacher, has taught me so much, being both, exigent and cool at the same time. By the way, I've decided to continue my lessons online before my next stay here.

Icing on the cake was the kindness, availability and generosity of the staff, each of them ! And what can I say about the students ... endless smiles.

Living in Hebron is a bit like living in a family cocoon on a large scale! You feel surrounded and safe at all times. Being able to go out for tea in the evening without having to close the car door (something unimaginable in Europe).

My hosts, Marwa, Ossama, Myse and Karim, reminded me of what a family was like, so much so that I felt part of this beautiful family myself.

I had the opportunity to revisit Jericho and Jerusalem (great emotional moment at Al Aqsa on a Friday for Dhur ...). I also visited Ramallah and Nablus. The latter combines tradition and modernity. Mohamad went out of his way to introduce me to a historian ... even though I'd just asked him a question about the origins of the old town.

I’m grateful for everything and look forward to seeing my second home (Palestine) and Family very soon.