1. Program Overview

• Program name: International Volunteer Residency at Juthour
• Season / dates:
  • Example: Spring cycle: 15 March – 15 April 2026
• Location(s): Mashjar Juthour, outside Ramallah, Palestine
• Primary focus: Ecological stewardship, land care, and education support
• Program leads / main contacts:
  • On‑the‑ground coordinator (OTG): [Name]
  • Remote / admin contact (pre‑arrival): [Name / email]
• Language(s) used in the program: Arabic and English

Program story / context

• Juthour (“Roots”) is an arboretum and nature preserve in Palestine, tending a long‑term, multi‑generation relationship with the land.
• This residency invites international volunteers to support ecological work, help hold the educational space, and carry stories of the land back to their communities.
• The residency is designed to be modest in scale and slow in pace, so that volunteers contribute without overwhelming the land or local community.

2. Volunteer Roles and Expectations

2.1 Role types

• Land Stewardship Volunteer
  • Main responsibilities: Tree care, mulching, weeding, basic path maintenance, watering systems, assisting with small infrastructure tasks under guidance.
  • Skills or experience preferred: Comfort with physical outdoor work; any gardening or farming experience helpful but not required.
  • Physical demands: Walking on uneven ground, lifting up to ~15–20 kg, working in sun / wind / dust.
  • Time commitment: Approx. 4–5 hours per day, 5 days per week.
• Education and Visitor Support Volunteer
  • Main responsibilities: Supporting school visits and group tours, simple interpretation (with guidance), helping set up learning spaces, preparing materials.
  • Skills or experience preferred: Comfort working with children and groups, basic facilitation or teaching background is an asset.
  • Physical demands: Standing, walking, being outdoors with groups for multiple hours.
  • Time commitment: 3–4 hours on visiting days, plus prep and debrief.

Volunteers may rotate between roles depending on capacity and program needs.

2.2 Daily / weekly rhythm

• Typical daily schedule (example – adapt per cycle):
  • Morning: Breakfast and opening circle / check‑in
  • Late morning: Work block (land work, education prep, or agreed tasks)
  • Midday: Lunch and rest
  • Afternoon: Lighter work, learning session, or flexible project time (season‑dependent)
  • Evening: Quiet hours begin at an agreed time
• Weekly rhythm (adapt per cycle):
  • Around 5 work days and 2 rest days (often including Friday or local rest day)
  • Weekly group check‑in circle
  • 1–2 scheduled learning or story sessions (ecology, history, political context, or other themes)