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Description
We are one of Palestine's few eco parks and a pioneer in environmental education for our local community and their global eco-conscious partners.
We began in 2013 by purchasing 10 dunnams (1 hectare) of land outside of Ramallah city, in Area C of the West Bank. This is not an easy task, as Palestine has been suffering for decades under the crushing limitations of Israel's illegal military occupation. Though we own this land, we are not allowed to build on it or to properly nourish our flora without the risk of demolition or even imprisonment. Every day we are present on our land is an act of what we call "sumud"...resilience!
Therefore, as an act of community ecological activism against our unjust limitations, we have for the last few years gathered around our sacred land and built together a safe space for learning. Our philosophy begins with relearning what has been slowly disappearing from our collective memory and regaining what has been stolen--the names of the trees and plants in their original Arabic and Latin, the function of stone terraces, the precious lifeblood of the olive tree.
On top of it all, we are also a registered non-profit! After collecting enthusiastic stewards of all ages and backgrounds at our land has come the community responsibility, and that has included integrating our literature into local school curricula, outreach to refugee families and those in the Diaspora in order to reinforce their vital placement in our nation, and printing various wildlife textbooks and guides.
Despite the volatility which comes with living under a foreign power's colonial rule, we have tried our best to ensure that our eco park is a reliable arena of positive growth and a wellspring of ideas and energy.
Whatever your level of experience laboring on farms, gardening, or even basic grass cutting, we welcome a healthy spirit who is ready to learn and contribute to the eternal flourishing of our place of trees and people.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Imagine living in the Mediterranean-hugged heartland of Palestine's rolling, sunny hills and olive groves. Though you are centralized in our rural park near the peaceful Ein Qinya village, you are still a ten minute car ride away from Ramallah's thriving city center.
We anticipate based upon past volunteers' jubilant feedback that your own experience will be life-altering. Working with Saleh and Morgan, the kinetically energetic directors, has always led to a volleying of ideas with multiple voices as to how Palestinian ecology can be secured and enriched. You will also view a very particular corner of life under occupation and how it affects even a simple act such as planting seeds or access to one's land.
Palestine's heritage is wrapped around its land, and the "falah" is the farmer of old and new. There are ubiquitous stories to tell about each tree, stone, or patch of land, and we have documented as much as we can and continue to compile cultural stories which root us to our homeland. After all, Juthour means "roots" --both of the tree and culturally.
Help
We are looking for people to basically caretake the land while living wild. Daytime help will range from moving stones, tilling soil, to watering trees, data collection, maintaining paths, fertilizing, harvesting...it depends on your skill set and determinism!
Our eco park is up on a mountaintop (ok, we're being overly romantic--it's a pretty steep hilltop) but you must be prepared for a pretty heart-strengthening 15 minute or so hike most days up to the site...Morgan does it often with her 9-month-old son Kamae wrapped to her!
If you have a driver's license, that's a plus (but not required at all)! We have a pickup truck and sometimes our three dogs need a ride up the mountain too!
Languages
Languages spoken
Arabic: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
We are always happy to teach Arabic and learn from our volunteers!
Accommodation
Tents and caves, take your choice. There are foam mattresses and blankets included and a fire pit in the middle, of course! We also built a green washroom which includes a dry compost outhouse and a built-in solar shower!
Additionally, we have what one could call a "rough kitchen" --an outdoor area with pots and pans and a washing station. We supply you with ingredients for daily meals but you cook.
If you're here from late spring until early winter the weather at the mountain is pretty warm (in summer it can be really hot, but zero humidity!), but at night the temperature drops. Not to worry--when the clouds clear you can see the sea from our mountaintop! Bottom line: bring layered clothing, a hat, good shoes, gloves and sunscreen.
Oh, and the caves are great for chilling out in when you want a consistent temperature and dry space!
What else ...
Ramallah is in the center of the country, maximum four hours away (as the crow flies) from the furthest point possible of the Holy Land. Though surrounded by Israeli military checkpoints and an enormous wall which restrict Palestinians from traveling, the West Bank is permeable into other cities (Jerusalem, Haifa, Nazareth) if you carry a foreign passport.
Saleh, the co-founder, is a Ramallah native from the founding families. Besides basically being a breathing tree and plant glossary on legs, he and his wife/co-founder Morgan can definitely help you to get on the proper bus and guide you to other Palestinian-owned bars, restaurants, and even environmental organizations/eco-projects throughout the land!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (11)
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.6)
Communication:
(4.4)
It felt like family.
I was there on and off for around 6 weeks. Morgan is an awesome strong woman.. that's essentially the boss of saleh and the project.
Saleh is really fun to be around always laughing and willing to get his hands muddy.. He really was like an uncle.
You'll be up the mountain alone,with saleh or other… read more
To describe in one sentence : I came in Palestine to find something but I found something else, unexpected, in the arboretum.
Saleh is very kind, interesting… read more
