Hanan is a 54 year old woman who cares for 10 family members in her makeshift home in Rafah. Ten years ago, Hanan and her husband separated, which left her dependent on outside aid to feed her family. Although she receives some monetary assistance and a modest income, the total amounts to approximately $1.10 a…
Following the tremendous success of our 2018 Ramadan Fundraising Iftar, we invite you once again to break fast with us as we help the most impoverished children and their families in Gaza and the refugee camps. We are very excited to have as our Keynote speaker this year, author, professor and human rights attorney, Noura…
People are suffering in Gaza as a result of incessant wars and an occupation of over 50 years.
At this very moment, Team Kinder is on the ground in North Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley Palestinian Wavel Camp distributing clothes and food fuel to families impacted by recent floods. We are now witnessing the 4th generation being raised in the camp. The Wavel Camp used to be the French Military base. The families live in…
The Social Development Center is a school KinderUSA funds in Ein el Helweh camp, the largest of 12 camps in all of Lebanon, that cares for 81 students, 28 of whom are Syrian refugees, some born in the camp. In addition, we have a tutoring program with 44 students whereby students from the UNRWA schools…
Although no longer in the international spotlight, the humanitarian crisis in Palestine continues unabated. In Gaza, food insecurity impacts 7 out of 10 people due to widespread poverty and high unemployment. As the strangulating blockade approaches its twelfth year, the overall health and well-being of the civilian population continue on a downward spiral. Meanwhile, the…
Hanan is a 54 year old woman who cares for 10 family members in her makeshift home in Rafah. Ten years ago, Hanan and her husband separated, which left her dependent on outside aid to feed her family. Although she receives some monetary assistance and a modest income, the total amounts to approximately $1.10 a day.
In preparation for the Ramadan food distribution, KinderUSA field staff visited Hanan’s home, writing in their report that her shelter “is not fit for a human being to live.” The roof of the home is covered by metal panels, and there are no doors or windows. The “flooring” consists mostly of sand.
Like Palestinian women in general, Hanan is extremely resilient and resourceful. After separating from her husband, Hanan was determined to attend the university in order to care for her family, hoping a degree would help secure a job. Unfortunately, her age, coupled with the high unemployment rate in Gaza, placed her at the bottom of employer lists.
Undeterred, Hanan began providing private tutoring lessons to special needs children from her home to earn a meager income. “I didn’t give up. I decided to work as a private tutor for a number of students, teaching them in my house to satisfy my family’s needs in order to survive. I have a 20-years old daughter Fedaa with special needs (blind and deaf). I also help my divorced daughter with my grandson, Muayyad, who is 4 years old”, Hanan said. “We are suffering a lot, and in spite of this suffering, I still have hope to survive.”
Hanan and her family are now on the KinderUSA roster of beneficiaries for the Ramadan fresh food distribution. In preparation, our field staff have been visiting families, working with marginalized farmers, and finalizing the chicken and dairy contributions from the women-run cooperatives.
“Sadly, the need is far greater this year than we anticipated. Our goal is to reach as many families as possible with your help,” said Dr. Laila Al-Marayati, Chairperson KinderUSA.
Please consider making an online donation today to help with the preparations for Ramadan and full month of food distribution to families such as Hanan.
Following the tremendous success of our 2018 Ramadan Fundraising Iftar, we invite you once again to break fast with us as we help the most impoverished children and their families in Gaza and the refugee camps.
We are very excited to have as our Keynote speaker this year, author, professor and human rights attorney, Noura Erakat. Also during our evening, we will hear brief reflections on the need in Palestine by Aziza Hasan, executive director of NewGround: A Muslim Jewish Partnership for Change.
OurRamadan programs make an invaluable difference in the lives of more than 20,000 Palestinians, mostly children, immediately feeding them and their families in15 marginalized areas of Gaza.
“We must wait one year to feed our children full meals in Ramadan.” said Um Omar from Khan Younis.
We purchase fresh food, live poultry, dairy products and more from Palestinian women cooperatives and small-scale farmers, many of whom are also women, leaving self-sustaining newly empowered households!
Our programs work directly on the ground with the most needy communities. Because they are smaller scale, they have a meaningful, tangible impact on the communities that might otherwise be neglected. Kinder fills the gaps not met by larger organizations, as quite often, the poorest fall through the cracks of the large-scale projects.
Please join us for a delicious zabiha dinner and an evening that is sure to nourish mind and soul!
Sunday, May 19th 2019 at 7:30pm
Phoenicia Restaurant
343 N Central Ave.
Glendale, CA 91203Purchase Tickets here
People are suffering in Gaza as a result of incessant wars, a strangulating blockade of land, sea, and air now approaching its 12th year, and an occupation of over 50 years. The infrastructure of Gaza has been decimated leaving 97% of the water undrinkable, 4 hours of electricity a day affecting every aspect of life, and unemployment one of the highest in the world. More than 40% of Gazan’s are food insecure with 80% relying on aid just to survive according the UNRWA. With the recent cuts to funding of both UNRWA and USAID to Palestine, education, healthcare, shelter, and food support will be worsened pushing families further to the edge.
Children in Gaza are at risk of anemia, folic acid and vitamin deficiencies, hypertension, chronic dehydration leading to liver failure, and a host of physical, cognitive, and behavioral problems that could affect their entire lives. Many more children and adults suffer from chronic malnourishment without visible symptoms or any awareness of the short and long-term damage being done to them — and to Gaza’s future.
The right to receive, and the obligations to provide, food, nutrition and medical care in an emergency are enshrined in humanitarian law.
Of the families at risk, many face daily challenges to access food and clean water with parents uncertain how to provide. Bottled water is out of reach for most, leaving contaminated water as their only option. Many skip meals, take on debt and look to support from neighbors and friends in order to feed their children. While children are the most visible victims of chronic malnutrition, women also suffer acutely. Pregnancies in particular take a toll on women’s bodies, and many mothers prioritize their children and husband’s food needs over their own.
KinderUSA has just completed its Emergency Food Distribution and now preparing for Ramadan food distribution. Food assistance and all other forms of support are now more critical than ever to avert a deepening humanitarian crisis. It is our collective responsibility to continue to provide the population much-needed assistance. Gaza, like the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory, desperately needs a just and lasting political solution.
“The children in Gaza carry the brunt of this inhumanity. When we fail our children in need and at risk, the cost is too high to bear. It is not a question of resources or know-how. We have a universal code of human rights, with specific obligations to children. Let’s do our job,” Dr. Laila Al-Marayati, Chairperson ofKinderUSA.
Please consider making an online tax-deductible contribution of $25, $50, $100, or whatever is meaningful to you. Many employers match employee gifts to KinderUSA which is a way to double your donation. Thank you for sharing our compassion for the children.
At this very moment, Team Kinder is on the ground in North Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley Palestinian Wavel Camp distributing clothes and food fuel to families impacted by recent floods.
We are now witnessing the 4th generation being raised in the camp.
The Wavel Camp used to be the French Military base. The families live in the former horse stables that have been turned into living quarters. The photo attached shows the front door of a ‘home’ a family is living in where the horse would hang its head out. It is quite sad, but a testament to the resiliency of our people.
Remember, our work is only possible with your continued support. Please consider donating.
The Social Development Center is a school KinderUSA funds in Ein el Helweh camp, the largest of 12 camps in all of Lebanon, that cares for 81 students, 28 of whom are Syrian refugees, some born in the camp.
In addition, we have a tutoring program with 44 students whereby students from the UNRWA schools come for tutoring by our staff in subjects they are failing or need extra help. The Social Development Center teaches academics such as Arabic, English, Math, Science, reading and writing to name a few subjects. The Center also provides awareness programs for the parents and the students such as smoking, hygiene, acceptance of others.
The Social Development Center is also a place for the camp neighborhood children to gather for activities on Friday’s where they play games & receive food/snacks. Over 50 young people come to play in the open play area every Friday with the staff on hand to guide the activities.
Remember, our work is only possible with your continued support. Please consider donating.
Although no longer in the international spotlight, the humanitarian crisis in Palestine continues unabated. In Gaza, food insecurity impacts 7 out of 10 people due to widespread poverty and high unemployment. As the strangulating blockade approaches its twelfth year, the overall health and well-being of the civilian population continue on a downward spiral.
Meanwhile, the twin blows of funding cuts to the UNRWA and the discontinuation of USAID assistance for Palestine have led to even more misery among large swaths of the population dependent on outside aid for survival. Fuel shortages have contributed to the suffering, crippling the health system, while rolling blackouts play havoc on every aspect of life. According to reports, 97% of Gaza’s water aquifers are contaminated, providing water unsuitable for drinking. The end result of this completely avoidable, man-made crisis is that gastrointestinal diseases account for 12% of all deaths in children under 4 years of age.
Indeed, no aspect of Palestinian life has been unaffected by this crisis. Two million people in Gaza survive on the brink of catastrophe, and the future of thousands of children remains at risk.
While families scramble to survive, KinderUSA continues to deliver food to indigent families and provide meals for school children in Gaza. We believe that our work today is more essential than ever as Palestinians are assailed from all sides in what can only be viewed as a sustained effort to crush the indomitable spirit of resilience and uproot Palestinians from their intimate connection to their land.
Over the years, you have generously supported KinderUSA in our work on behalf of needy children in Palestine and helped promote innovative projects that promote independence and sustainability. When others have shied away, you have stepped forward, upholding the belief that all children – including the children of Palestine – deserve the opportunity to live and thrive in a safe environment that offers hope for a better future.
Please consider making an online tax-deductible contribution of $25, $50, $100, or whatever is meaningful to you. Many employers match employee gifts to KinderUSA which is a way to double or in some instances triple your donation. Together, InshaAllah, we can continue to deliver hope.
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