 A volunteer, Richard, gets down to building up confidence with the kids. No problem - teacher and students think he's cool. |
For now, Hope Flowers School has discontinued its volunteer programme.
We appreciate everyone's positive intentions and wish not to discourage people willing to volunteer. But life in the West Bank is rigorous and challenging, and we find that many volunteers need more looking after and monitoring than we can manage at this time.
We can accept only volunteers who have been to Palestine before, who know the conditions well, who are hardy in their attitude and can look after themselves, and who can come here for at least three months - even then, we suggest that you visit Bethlehem and the school first, so that we can meet you and you can see the reality of our situation. We and you will then know whether it will work.
Perhaps this might change whenever greater peace and security come, and when the Palestinian economy and the situation of the school improve.
