Canadian Palestinian Educational Exchange

CEPAL’s Overseas Program involves sending Canadian volunteers to work in three Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon: Bourj el-Barajneh and Shatila near Beirut, and Wavel in Baalbek.  The Overseas  Program is a unique opportunity to learn about life in a Palestinian refugee camp, while working with children and adults to improve their English and French language skills.

CEPAL works in partnership with local Palestinian NGOs in the refugee camps, and CEPAL Overseas Program volunteers teach as part of ongoing local summer school programs and activities. The focus of CEPAL’s Overseas Program is language skills training through informal teaching techniques. CEPAL volunteers have in the past taught English and French through computer and internet skills training, arts and crafts, photography and journalism, dance and sports, drama, etc.

Following their work in Lebanon, CEPAL volunteers are required to participate in a minimum of two awareness-raising activities in Canada. The purpose of awareness-raising is to inform Canadians of the plight of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

In the past, volunteers have raised awareness through lectures, photographic exhibits, film screenings, conferences, etc. Volunteer teachers are required to fundraise $4,000 CDN prior to their departure for Lebanon, which goes toward covering part of the Overseas Program expenses. Volunteers may fundraise collectively or individually. Going to Lebanon with CEPAL is strictly dependant on volunteers’ providing the entire amount before their departure. This amount will help CEPAL in covering the following costs:

• Return airfare from Canada to Lebanon
• Full travel and medical insurance
• 6-month single entry visa for Lebanon
• Housing costs with host family in the refugee camps
• Pre-departure orientation and training costs (training sessions, manuals, materials, etc) Teaching materials and supplies
• Volunteer stipend to cover food, water, communication, and work-related transport costs in Lebanon

A portion of the participation fees, $500 CDN will be required within two weeks of selection of volunteers.

CEPAL’s Overseas Program involves sending Canadian volunteers to work in three Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon: Bourj el-Barajneh and Shatila near Beirut, and Wavel in Baalbek. The Overseas Program is a unique opportunity to learn about life in a Palestinian refugee camp, while working with children and adults to improve their English and French language skills.

CEPAL works in partnership with local Palestinian NGOs in the refugee camps, and CEPAL Overseas Program volunteers teach as part of ongoing local summer school programs and activities. The focus of CEPAL’s Overseas Program is language skills training through informal teaching techniques. CEPAL volunteers have in the past taught English and French through computer and internet skills training, arts and crafts, photography and journalism, dance and sports, drama, etc.

Following their work in Lebanon, CEPAL volunteers are required to participate in a minimum of two awareness-raising activities in Canada. The purpose of awareness-raising is to inform Canadians of the plight of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

In the past, volunteers have raised awareness through lectures, photographic exhibits, film screenings, conferences, etc. Volunteer teachers are required to fundraise $4,000 CDN prior to their departure for Lebanon, which goes toward covering part of the Overseas Program expenses. Volunteers may fundraise collectively or individually. Going to Lebanon with CEPAL is strictly dependant on volunteers’ providing the entire amount before their departure. This amount will help CEPAL in covering the following costs:

• Return airfare from Canada to Lebanon
• Full travel and medical insurance
• 6-month single entry visa for Lebanon
• Housing costs with host family in the refugee camps
• Pre-departure orientation and training costs (training sessions, manuals, materials, etc) Teaching materials and supplies
• Volunteer stipend to cover food, water, communication, and work-related transport costs in Lebanon

A portion of the participation fees, $500 CDN will be required within two weeks of selection of volunteers.