LEAP Projects

Project SHINE | Project ASPIRE | Project MUSICProject 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.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 14, 2023 (applications accepted on a rolling basis and dates are flexible to each volunteer’s schedule)

PROGRAM DATES
Volunteer Arrival: September 22, 2023
Volunteer Orientation: September 25-29, 2023
ASPIRE Fall Term Dates: October 2 – December 18, 2023 and/or January – May 2023 (Dates TBC)

To apply, please complete the online application by clicking here.

Project MUSIC

LEAP launched Project MUSIC in summer 2018 and we are excited to support music education for Palestine refugee children. 

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:

-Oud
-Guitar
-Violin
-Saxophone
-Trumpet

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.

LEAP Program

LEAP is a grassroots volunteer program established to provide educational empowerment projects to support the intellectual growth and creative curiosity of refugee-youth in Lebanon so they may become agents of change. As an apolitical humanitarian US-based organization, LEAP aims to raise awareness about the plight of Palestinian refugees in general, but particularly in Lebanon, to American volunteers.

Support LEAP

LEAP relies on the support of generous donors to sustain its projects. Click here to find out how you can support LEAP, or donate online:

We are also accepting donations for our newest initiative, Project MUSIC. Donate online:

Mailing List

Please join our mailing list for regular updates from LEAP.

Get in Touch