After a long series of wars and disastrous U.S. foreign policy decisions in the region, it’s time to turn a new page in the Middle East. As a small step toward making this change a reality, we are sending international volunteers / cultural ambassadors to Syria and the Palestinian Territories this summer.

Seeing the situation firsthand is the quickest and most foolproof method of helping our participants develop a humanized portrait of the people of the Middle East. It helps both parties–the international participants and the peoples of the Middle East whom they encounter–to confront their own stereotypes of the “other.” In addition to hours served on the ground as a volunteer at an orphanage, hospital, school, church, refugee camp or community center, we expect our volunteers to make a long term commitment to change when they return to their own communities. Once you’ve had tea with an Iraqi refugee or visited a Palestinian home that has been bulldozed it is impossible to read a newspaper the same way–the headlines are about cities you’ve visited and about people you know. An abstract humanitarian crisis becomes tangible–it’s not just an image on TV, it’s real life.

We wanted to make you aware of two volunteer programs this summer:

Damascus Summer Encounter
Participants study Arabic and volunteer a local university, church, retirement center or orphanage. Through their work, they help either Iraqi refugees or local Syrians in need. Outside of volunteer work, as well, the issue of Iraqi refugees is a primary focus as we meet with Iraqi families and both local and international nonprofits providing emergency assistance to refugee communities in Syria. Participants can join us for one or two months. Starts in June 2009.
http://www.syriasummer.org

Palestine Summer Encounter
Participants study Arabic and/or about the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and meet with both Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers and nonprofits. They live with a local Palestinian host family and volunteer at a school, hospital, refugee camp, church, nonprofit or human rights organization. Participants can join us for one, two or three months. Starts in May 2009.
http://www.palestinesummer.org

Ways you can help us spread the word:

1) Include a notice in your organizations next e-mail or newsletter. Here is some sample text:

Middle East Fellowship is offering two opportunities to serve as cultural ambassadors / volunteers in the Middle East this summer:

PALESTINE SUMMER ENCOUNTER

Palestine Summer Encounter (PSE) is a one, two, or three month service learning and cultural immersion program in Bethlehem, Palestine. Participants study Arabic in and outside of the classroom setting, live with a Palestinian host family, meet with both Israeli and Palestinian NGOs and peacemakers and volunteer with one of thirty-seven participating nonprofits and organizations. Partial scholarships available!

http://www.palestinesummer.org

DAMASCUS SUMMER ENCOUNTER

The Damascus Summer Encounter is a service learning and cultural immersion program for participants of all ages and nationalities. Participants volunteer with a local church, school or nonprofit; study Arabic through the Berlitz program; meet with local community and religious leaders; and explore the region through weekend trips to the Syrian Coast, Malloula, Aleppo, Palmyra, Sweida and other cities and sites of historical and cultural significance.

Meet with local Syrian and Iraqi refugees! Learn about the Middle East through firsthand experience!

http://www.syriasummer.org

2) Pass out a program flyer.

You can download two flyers for the programs online–

FLYER FOR BOTH PROGRAMS:
http://www.syriasummer.org/node/8

FLYER FOR PALESTINE SUMMER:
http://www.palestinesummer.org/download-flyer

We’d also be happy to mail you flyers. Just tell us the quantity you want and the best address to ship to.

3) Link to the websites:

http://www.syriasummer.org

http://www.palestinesummer.org

Thanks in advance for your help!

Let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

–
Peter Ryan
Middle East Fellowship
http://www.middleeastfellowship.org