Project SHINE | Project ASPIRE | Project MUSIC | Project RISE
Project SHINE
The Summer Help In English (SHINE) Project is an intensive summer camp in the Palestinian refugee-camps of Lebanon. LEAP recruits volunteers to teach English, as well as lead recreational activities while living and working in the refugee camps. In turn, our volunteers learn about the plight of Palestinian refugees in general, but particularly in Lebanon. Volunteers and students share a mutual learning and sharing experience. Upon return to their home communities, volunteers are encouraged to raise awareness about the plight of Palestinian refugees.
In addition, SHINE offers students a productive and safe space during their summer vacation to strengthen their English language proficiency, while simultaneously exploring various recreational skills. In addition, students go on weekly field trips that nurture and foster students’ mental, physical, and social growth at a pivotal stage in their lives. Some of these activities include yoga, photography, videography, debke (a Palestinian folkloric dance), theater, social media, poetry, creative writing, among many others.
Application Deadline: 8 April 2023
PROGRAM DATES
Coordinator Arrival: 30 June 2023
Coordinator Orientation: 1-3 July 2023
Volunteer Arrival: 3 July 2023
Volunteer Orientation: 4 July – 9 July 2023
SHINE Project Dates: 10 July – 11 August 2023
Volunteer Departure: 12 August 2023
To apply, please complete the online application by clicking here.
Project ASPIRE
The ASPIRE project is an extension of LEAP’s SHINE (Summer Help IN English) project. ASPIRE aims to complement students’ UNRWA education by providing English instruction to the kindergarten classes operated in BAS, as well as English remedial courses for children in school and adults seeking to learn English to advance their employment opportunities. ASPIRE will focus on placing native English instructors in classes year-long, while also offering additional learning opportunities for young people. Project ASPIRE aims to empower students through education so they may become agents of change in their communities.
LEAP will recruit volunteers, as well as provide educational technical guidance, orientation, and mentoring to ASPIRE volunteers. However, volunteers will be directly managed and supervised by our partner organization BAS. Volunteers will teach English and support in other functions in the center, while living and working in the refugee camps of Lebanon.
ASPIRE applications are unavailable at the moment. Please join our mailing list to received updates about future opportunities!
Project MUSIC
In keeping with LEAP’s mission of supporting the education of refugee-youth and raising awareness about their plight, Project MUSIC (Music in the Camps) aims to equip refugee-youth with musical instruments and provide music education in the camps, thereby stimulating creative and therapeutic expression to further nurture their psycho-social support and improve their overall well-being.
Interested candidates should demonstrate a strong music background in the areas of performance (instrument or voice), theory, improvisation, appreciation, and/or composition. Instruction on the following instruments is most needed for Project MUSIC:
There is also a special need for training music instructors in the camps so that they, in turn, may provide sustainable music education to refugee-youth throughout the year and further develop their music programs.
Future endeavors with Project MUSIC include:
1) Sponsoring refugee-youth for a journey to the United States to participate in a performance with a US-based music group, such as the Aswat Ensemble, Zawaya’s music project;
2) Collaborative or joint performances by musicians in the camps and music groups outside of Lebanon;
3) Funding for music scholarships for refugee youth;
4) A “Play Pal” program, where children in the camps share their compositions, performances, and musical interests with others across the globe.
If you or anyone you know may be interested in supporting or participating in Project MUSIC, donating musical instruments, or partnering with LEAP in this endeavor, please contact us at info@leap-program.org.
Applications are not being accepted for Project MUSIC at the moment. Please join our mailing list to learn more about future opportunities!
Project RISE
The Recruitment Initiative for Scholarship Enrollment (RISE) is designed to organize a strong team of US-based volunteers to support Palestinian refugee students from Lebanon with their college application process. In addition, RISE works to procure scholarships, provide support to applicants, and to mentor students currently enrolled at colleges and universities throughout the United States.
RISE has three main undertakings:
(1) Scholarships,
(2) College Applicant Support, and
(3) College Mentorship.
