Volunteer with Syrian Children: This program is an excellent opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students, professionals, retirees, social workers, and teachers interested in volunteering with children. It is also ideal for anyone, whether a native or non-native English speaker, interested in interning with Syrian children.
In addition, those interested in childhood education will benefit from volunteering with children in Syria. Volunteers will be provided with a full immersion into Syrian culture, daily life, and the educational system.
Flexible Volunteer Opportunities in Syria
Volunteers in Syria can join our program for the period that best suits them, from 1 to 13 weeks. They can come at any time of the year, as we are flexible with our start and end dates. People of all backgrounds and nationalities are welcome to apply, provided you are at least 18 years old.
As a volunteer in Damascus, you will have the chance to meet many Syrian children who yearn to interact with international visitors. Syrian children are the future, and helping them grow will have a direct impact on their well-being and that of their country. You will make a difference in their lives as well as yours.
Educational classes and workshops will take place in various locations, including Volunteer in Syria, the local Syrian community, day care centers, schools, children’s organizations, special needs schools, and local refugee camps in Damascus.
Upon their arrival in Damascus, volunteers will have the opportunity to craft and develop workshops tailored to Syrian children. These workshops and classes will constitute the primary portion of the volunteers’ workload during their time volunteering in Syria.
Volunteer with Syrian Children: Applications Open for 2026-2027
Volunteer in Syria is excited to announce that applications for our Volunteer with Syrian Children Program are now open for the 2026-2027 period! This unique program offers an incredible opportunity to work directly with Syrian children, fostering education, creativity, and cross-cultural understanding.
Volunteers will engage in activities such as teaching English, organising games, leading English clubs, facilitating summer activities, hosting drawing sessions, conducting workshops, and supporting various educational initiatives. This program is an excellent opportunity for individuals seeking meaningful volunteer programs in Damascus, Syria, for the 2026-2027 period.
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Previous Workshops Have Included:
- Drama school for Syrian refugees
- Fun days for Syrian kids in the refugee camps
- Conversational English language workshops for Syrian kids
- Arts and music for disabled Syrian children
- Media training for Syrian school students
- Environmental camps for young school students
- Mathematics lessons
- Journalism workshops for high school students
- Medicine (First Aid Courses)
- As well as others.
(Disclaimer: All volunteers wishing to work with Syrian children will be required to take a safeguarding interview. This is to ensure that volunteers fully understand their responsibilities as caretakers of children, as well as the laws and protocols in place to protect children from abuse.)
Volunteer in Syria will assist all volunteers in acquiring the resources needed to conduct their intended workshops successfully and in connecting them with local experts here in Damascus. These resources and experts include local NGOs, community centers, refugee organizations, schools, charities, law firms, universities, and day care programs. All these resources are made possible by the Center’s deep ties to the local community here in Damascus!
Furthermore, volunteering with children in Syria will be a fully immersive experience for those involved. Volunteers will not only have the opportunity to work with Syrian children on a variety of subjects. Still, they will live and breathe Syrian culture, Arabic, and the rich history of the Levant! This will occur in several ways.
Firstly, volunteers will have the opportunity to reside with a Syrian host family or in a cozy apartment. In either case, volunteers will be fully immersed in daily life in Syria.
Secondly, by engaging with Syrian children, you will tend to forget your language barriers, helping you to learn Syrian colloquial Arabic playfully.
To Volunteer With The Syrian Children, You Should Be:
- Willing to work with Syrian children from diverse backgrounds
- A student or graduate who seeks teaching experience
- Someone interested in the educational system in Syria
- An English or education major student
- 18+ and willing to make an impact on the local community
- Someone who desires to help the future leaders of Syria
What Do You Need To Be A Volunteer?
- To be 18 years or over
- The ability to communicate in English
- The ability to work with an international team
- Patience and enthusiasm
- Eagerness to learn
What Don’t You Need?
- The ability to speak Arabic
- Travel or work experience
- To be a native speaker of English
- A degree in English or any specialization
- Experience in teaching English as a foreign language
A Huge Range Of Impacts
The Volunteer with Syrian Children program is well-researched and targeted, suitable for anyone who wants to gain insights into the daily life and education of Syrians, as well as experience in teaching English.
We aim to make a long-term difference to the local Syrian community through the exchange of ideas and by “walking in each other’s shoes”. Volunteering and interning are unique opportunities to genuinely make an impact on your life and on the lives of Syrian children and refugees, as well as on the broader community in Damascus.
Summer Volunteer Programs
For people looking for volunteer programs or internships with children over the summer in Syria, Volunteer in Syria offers outstanding volunteer opportunities that span from May to September. These volunteer programs and internships are ideal for students, English native speakers, and anyone with a summer break or anyone looking to volunteer on an extended visit.
Arabic Language Courses
In addition, Volunteer in Syria offers free in-person Arabic language courses to all of its volunteers. These courses span 3 hours per week and will continue throughout their stay in Damascus. Learning Arabic will be a valuable asset to their mission to aid the Damascus community in Syria.
Furthermore, Volunteer in Syria conducts regular ventures into Damascus, visiting Syrian cultural sights, businesses, factories, local universities, schools, and refugee camps, as well as natural parks and treasures – all of which are intended to give volunteers a well-rounded understanding of Syria.
Do You Need University Credits?
The Volunteer with Syrian Children program offers students university and internship credits, if needed for your university. If you are applying for funding to volunteer in Syria, the Center would be more than happy to help and can provide any and all requested documents.
Who Is This Volunteer Program For?
The Volunteer with Syrian Children program is for anyone interested in working with children and who understands the importance of connecting Syria to the world.
Exposing young Syrians to people and cultures will connect them to the world community and help dispel, at a young age, any preconceptions they may have about other cultures.
This volunteer program is perfect for those interested in Islamic culture, Arabic culture, and language. It can also help you build a career with international NGOs. Many NGOs, Syrian governments, and international organizations see volunteer work in the Middle East and Arabic-language experience as major pluses.
The Volunteer with Syrian Children program is open to people of all ages, from students to seniors, who wish to make a difference in the lives of Syrian youth and children.
Who Can Participate?
Those who love working with Syrian children and who wish to make a career out of doing so are encouraged to apply. The children of Syria are eager to learn. Being a constructive force in their lives by volunteering in Syria is the best way to ensure their prosperity.
Volunteer in Syria does not discriminate on any basis. This includes a person’s nationality, ethnicity, religious standing, gender, sexual orientation, or any other basis. Furthermore, Volunteer in Syria has a long history of welcoming people from around the globe.
Participants have visited Volunteer in Syria from the following countries: The United Kingdom, the United States of America, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Australia, Japan, South Africa, Singapore, South Korea, Ireland, China and New Zealand! All people who wish to advance the welfare of Syrian children are encouraged to apply!
Accommodation
When residing in Damascus, participants in the program will have the option of either staying with a host family (depending on availability) or in a cozy apartment. Both options offer unique advantages.
Whichever housing option the participant chooses, their time in Syria will be immersive, enriching, and memorable!
Interacting With Syrian Culture
Volunteers in Damascus will find that most Syrians are incredibly friendly and open to foreigners. Furthermore, if participants use their Arabic skills, whether well developed or not, they will find that most Syrians are enthusiastic and patient communicators. They will be happy that people have taken an interest in their language and culture.
In addition, Syria is located at the heart of the Levant (the eastern Mediterranean region and the cradle of three world religions), offering ample opportunities to visit cultural sights, historical monuments, and other landmarks. Although Syrians face difficult circumstances, participants will find them friendly and open, and that Damascus is a safe place to learn, intern, and volunteer!
Benefits of Volunteering:
The Volunteer with Syrian Children program offers many benefits, including:
- 12 hours of Arabic lessons for each month that you intern with us, or 3 hours per week
- Accommodation with a host family or in a shared flat
- Breakfast with other participants (6 times a week)
- Support before your departure and during your time in Syria
- Syria is full of historic and culturally rich cities. Damascus and Aleppo feature ancient architecture and bustling souks, Homs, Hama, and Bosra offer old city charm and Roman ruins, Palmyra is famous for its desert ruins, Maaloula preserves Aramaic traditions, Latakia and Tartus provide beaches and historic sites, and Daraa, Deir ez-Zor, and Al-Qamishli each offer unique cultural experiences.
- Engagement in educational, social, and community activities
- Arabic hospitality and a pleasant climate
- Access to nearby cities and tourist sites
- Assistance from well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers with excellent educational backgrounds
- A certificate upon completion
You will get the opportunity to meet Syrian university and school students, as well as members of the Damascus community and local organizations, as an international student studying Arabic in Syria, as well as the to travel to Syria’s most ancient sites in Petra, Damascus, Wadi Rum, Irbid, Beirut, and Aqaba, and broaden your experiences in the Middle East!
Traveling to Damascus
Traveling to Volunteer in Syria in Damascus is stress-free and straightforward. You’ll fly directly into Damascus, and from the airport it’s only about a one-hour drive — roughly 40 km — to reach our school. If you have any questions about your journey or need help with arrangements, our team is always happy to assist. You can find our contact information at the bottom of this page.
What Language is the Program Run In?
All our volunteer programs and colloquial Arabic lessons are designed for English speakers. However, to ensure full immersion, as the course level increases, less English will be used in the classroom.
Volunteer With Syrian Children Program: Overview
| Place of Program | Damascus, Syria |
| Program Fees | Check Our Price List |
| Program Focus | Volunteer with Syrian children Volunteer with Syrian refugees Work with disabled kids in Syria |
| Age | 18-70 Years Old |
| Minimum Duration | 1 Week |
| Maximum Duration | 13 Weeks |
| Weekly Arabic lessons | 3 hours per week |
| Class Duration | 45 Minutes |
| Number of Volunteers | Variable (3-5 Volunteers) |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible – Anytime |
| Application Deadline | No Deadline |
| Program Reviews | Reviews (94%) on gooverseas.com Reviews (96%) on goabroad.com Video testimonials |
| Airport Pickup | Available (Fee applies) |
| University Credit | Available |
| Program Language | English |
Program Reviews
Volunteer in Syria has proudly earned several Community Awards, including recognition as the Best Arabic Language School overseas, one of the best Online Programs for Syrian Colloquial Arabic Providers, and the Top Provider of Volunteer and Internship Opportunities abroad for the years 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. For further details, please visit our profiles on GoOverseas.com and GoAbroad.com.
- +950 reviews (96.8%) on gooverseas.com
- +190 reviews (93%) on goabroad.com
- Participants’ video testimonials
- Our Awards
Summary
The Volunteer with Syrian Children Program presents an ideal opportunity for university students, gap year participants, and individuals on sabbatical seeking to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Syrian children in Damascus. The scope for applying your skills as a volunteer is virtually limitless.
Engaging with children in Syria is an unparalleled experience, one that will profoundly influence participants’ perspectives for years to come. Furthermore, volunteering in Damascus is the perfect stepping stone for those passionate about working with Syrian children and refugees or pursuing a career in early childhood education and children’s welfare. Take action today and embark on your volunteering journey in Syria!
How To Apply
If you’re excited about volunteering with Syrian children, don’t hesitate to drop us an email at Info@ecsyria.org. We’re here to help, and you can expect to hear back from us within one business day.
In the subject line of your email, write “Volunteer With Syrian Children .” When we respond, we will attach an application form for you to complete and return to us to begin the process.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at:
Website: https://ecsyria.org/
EC Website: https://excellencenter.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excellence.center
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExcellenceCenter