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getting worse too, and people who live in high buildings or rural
areas cant even get the bad water because there is not enough
electricity in a day to pump the water to them. I expect we will
have more diseases and diarrhea this summer, especially among
Dr. Mona El-Farra children.
This year when we distributed food parcels to families in
Gaza, I saw there is real hunger. Poverty is everywhere and peo-
ple are scared.
But despite the terrible situation and the shortages, people
support each other. There is community solidarity and spirit,
especially in the young people. In Khan Younis refugee camp,
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to our partner center, Never Stop Dreaming. People contributed
funds or volunteered to work in the summer heat.
In Shati refugee camp, I entered homes that dont have lights
at all. Even if there was electricity, they dont have any lights.
And no sunlight either because of the crowding. I went with
You can
a team of volunteer engineers who designed battery-operated
lighting systems for families. Solidarity activists in Scotland and
provide families MECA supporters donated to buy the materials and these young
engineers are building and installing the units.
in Gaza with light and We are living in Gaza like its the Middle Ages and it affects
electrical power.
us on such a deep level. The heat, the rotting food, the darkness.
It affects us physically and psychologically every day and every
Go to: night.
www.mecaforpeace.org/GazaLights
A Visit to Lebanon:
MECA Projects for Refugees
from Syria
2 MECA NEWS
We met with some of the girls who were excited to begin a
basketball team, and witnessed lively summer activities. We vis-
ited the rooms that serve as a school for refugees from Syria who
cant go to Lebanese schools. My daughter, whos a preschool
Meet Shafaq, a Young
teacher, was excited to see some of the kids playing the same
games children play in U.S. preschools.
Refugee from Syria
Palestinians comprise the largest refugee population in the
world. Those in Lebanon live in dire economic and social condi-
tions. The more than one million new arrivals from Syria have
stretched resources beyond limits and many point out the country
is on the brink of a breaking point. As painful as it was to witness
these conditions, we couldnt help but admire the vibrancy of
peoples responses to their circumstances. The teachers kept up a
cheerful resolve, the classrooms were colorful and bursting with
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vegetables, and trees among the tents and tin shacks, and women
were busy preparing holiday meals to celebrate Eid.
I am behind two years in school because of moving from
one school to another. I am still doing very good in my
school and I will continue to do that.
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Syria and is currently living with her family in Bekaa,
Lebanon, where MECA provides emergency aid to
new refugees and classes for refugees who are unable
to attend local school. Shafaq recently shared her story
with our partner, Al Jalil Childrens Center.
MECA NEWS 3
Shoruq Tour:
Palestinian Refugee Youth Visit the U.S.
4 MECA NEWS
Silwan, East Jerusalem: By Jody Sokolower
Celebration Amid Displacement
MECA NEWS 5
Zam Zam Water Joins MECAs Volunteer Corner
Maia Project to Bring Water to By Ayat Biltagi
Gaza Schoolchildren In my senior year at
California State Univer-
sity-East Bay I had to do
an 80-hour internship
About two years ago, Yusuf Nessary, Founder of Zam Zam at a non-prot organiza-
Water contacted MECA because he wanted to work with us on tion. When I found MECA
the Maia Project. Since 2009, MECA has been installing water on the schools website, I
SXULFDWLRQ DQG GHVDOLQDWLRQXQLWV LQ *D]D VFKRROV VR VWXGHQWV looked no further. Being
have access to clean, safe drinking water. Over the years, indi- Palestinian, I was elated
viduals and groups have raised or donated funds for one whole to nd an organization that was working for Pal-
Maia unit (now about $15,000) or part of a unit. Meanwhile, estinian children. I was blown away by the orga-
Zam Zam Water had been building wells and providing other nizations MECA works with in Gaza, where my
help to communities in Afghanistan and Rwanda. Yusufs de- family is from. I was really excited about the Maia
termination, the amazing team of committed volunteers hes Project that installs water purication systems
brought together, and his deep connections to the Afghan im- for Gaza schools.
migrant community where he grew up are clearly the keys to his For about six months I helped out with ad-
remarkable success in such a short period of time. ministrative tasks in the ofce, distributed yers
So far, Zam Zam has raised funds for six water systems in to publicize MECAs events, worked at the events
Gaza schools, three are completed and the installation of three and the Annual Palestinian Crafts Bazaar in De-
more will begin soon. They also raised funds for MECA to pur- cember. I liked working at the Bazaar the best of
chase and distribute backpacks with hygiene kits to kids in Gaza. all the things I did at MECA. It was the rst time I
saw a place so full of things direct from Palestine.
I got to know MECA staff and supporters and
other volunteers. I didnt have to explain where
Palestine was or what was going on there like I
often do in so many other situations. Everyone
was there to appreciate the beauty of Palestine
and support the people there.
I am so glad I was able to contribute to MECAs
work in Palestine because there is such a great
need as long as there is an occupation. Palestin-
ians have been suffering for more than 70 years
and I dont see an end on the horizon. We are
up against a big giant. I have family in Gaza but
its very hard to be in touch with them because
most of the time they dont have any electricity.
And I cant really do anything for them and thats
the part that feels the most helpless and terrify-
ing. But I do believe the occupation will end one
day, if we work hard enough. Then MECAs work
will still be necessary. There will be a healing pro-
cess and people will still need basic necessities
like water, electricity, and health care.
MECA Gaza Staff and students at the Elementary Beach
Boys School celebrating their new water purification unit. To volunteer at MECA,
please email Nawal Tamimi:
Nawal@mecaforpeace.org
6 MECA NEWS
MECA PartnerSpotlight:
Dalia Association
/DVW\HDU0(&$EHJDQDSDUWQHUVKLSZLWKWKH'DOLD$V-
sociation, A Palestinian Community Foundation, which
raises funds from Palestinians and others around the world
to support grassroots initiatives in Palestine, including proj-
ects from sheep farming to youth sports; from kindergarten
renovation to food production and sales.
,Q 0(&$ VXSSRUWHG RQH RI 'DOLDV SURMHFWV DW D
girls school in an isolated and neglected neighborhood of
Jerusalem. A group of ninth-graders went through a months-
long process of planning, implementing, and evaluating two
projects to address needs in their school and beyondwith
Ninth graders initiated weekly dance Zumba classes at their
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school for fun and physical fitness
tival for students and families with games, performances,
and messages about issues such as drug abuse and the im-
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curricular sports, primarily Zumba dance classes.
Yes, I want to help MECA protect the health, lives, and rights of
Palestinian children and refugees from Syria.
Here is my tax-deductible contribution of:
Email: _________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________
Phone:_________________________________________