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In 2007, Ruwwad launched the Ruwwad Youth Corps--an initiative that gave young Palestinians the chance to become local leaders, by designing projects that helped solve challenges in their communities. Now, Ruwwad is re-branding this movement into a National Youth Corps (NYC) which will welcome young Palestinians across the entire West Bank , under the supervision of the Palestinian Ministry of Youth and Sport. By 2010 Ruwwad aims to recruit 120 Youth Leaders, 500 Youth Volunteers, and 5000 Youth Participants to the expanded Youth Corps movement. These new members will join hundreds of Ruwwad youth who are already creating huge social change across the West Bank and Gaza .
Want to join the National Youth Corps?
Email us at info@ruwwad.org .
Candidates for the Ruwwad Youth Corps at a
summer recruitment session
Who Are the National Youth Corps Members?
The answer is simple: Young women and men (ages 14 – 30) who are willing to learn, grow, and give back to their communities--through peer mentoring/coaching or youth-led initiatives. Previous leadership experience isn't necessary: Ruwwad provides in-depth leadership training for all NYC members. All that's needed is a strong commitment to creating a better future for all Palestinians.
Across the West Bank and Gaza , hundreds of young Palestinians are joining the NYC each year, and becoming part of its three core groups:
Youth Leaders – An active team of 120 young people who get in-depth training on topics like community organizing, group decision-making, and effective communication (among other key leadership skills). More importantly, Youth Leaders are then given the chance to carry out small-scale projects that address local needs within their communities.
Youth Volunteers – A larger group of 500 young women and men who play an active role in Ruwwad's daily activities—which range from medical aid distribution in the Northern West Bank to community summer camps for orphans in Gaza. Youth Volunteers assist the Youth Leaders in planning and implementing these activities, but can be involved for shorter periods of time.
Youth Participants – An umbrella network of 5000 young people who take part in a short Ruwwad orientation, and then help out periodically with local Ruwwad activities. Participants from the town of Salfit might pitch in to help leaders and volunteers run a two-day clean-up campaign. Nablus NYC participants might join longer-term volunteers to repaint school classrooms in their neighborhood.
How does the NYC Empower Local Communities?
National Youth Corps members bring their energy and skills to towns and villages across the West Bank and Gaza , helping to strengthen communities by:
- Surveying local leaders to determine community needs.
- Working with community members and local Youth Development Resource Centers to create projects that respond to these needs.
- Leading project delivery and follow-up evaluations.
- Sharing their experience and knowledge with fellow youth and adults.
The National Youth Corps' impact is already being felt in many communities across the West Bank and Gaza . In 2007, more than 30 Youth Leaders surveyed 140 marginalized communities to determine their specific humanitarian needs.
Since that time, NYC youth have worked with community members to develop breast cancer awareness campaigns, water conservation drives, free medical check-ups for the elderly, and a range of other high-impact activities. Ruwwad provides funding and coaching support, but the projects themselves are entirely youth-driven.
By spearheading these activities, the NYC not only helps local communities make tangible progress toward better standards of living—it also builds skills and social awareness among large numbers of motivated youth….creating a new generation of positive Palestinian leaders.
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