Gazans continue to struggle in a region with massive unemployment, toxic water, and crumbling infrastructure under a blockade of land and sea for 15 years. Food and fuel enter Gaza based upon “mathematical formulas” determined by the occupying forces, in a drip-feeding fashion, or just “enough for survival” according to the Amnesty International February 2022…
Life in Lebanon is difficult for most people the economic free fall, COVID-19, and the conflict next door in Syria. Palestinian and Syrian refugees live 88 percent below “minimal survival conditions,” according to a UN representative. Many families are food insecure with both petrol and food prices soaring and out of reach for most placing…
This Ramadan the need was great and our efforts together have made the difference in the lives of thousands of children and their loved ones. Ferial is a widow caring for 8 members of her family. At 69 years of age, her health is deteriorating, in addition to suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder since the…
Seventy percent of the workforce in rural areas of Gaza is performed by women as laborers. Many of these women will do most anything to feed their families, earning sometimes as little as $1 a day. Working with our partner the Palestine Environmental Friends (PEF), KinderUSA funded through generous donors the Women Empowerment through farming…
Once again, Muslim and Christian worshippers have been attacked during the sacred days of Easter and Ramadan. Acts of provocation designed to instigate further conflict require Palestinians to exercise restraint as they do their best to observe the holiday rituals. Our work during the month of Ramadan attempts to ease the suffering so many families…
In May 2021, a devastating assault on Gaza, as Ramadan was coming to a close, left 261 Palestinians dead, one third of whom were children, many of whom were members of the same family. Hundreds more were injured and tens of thousands displaced. This is the story of Zahraa and her family who lived in…
In Palestine, KinderUSA’s primary mission is to provide an environment of safety and the nurturing of good health in children living under such brutal conditions. Providing all children the chance to live with dignity, good health, education, and shelter should be the mission of all. Subjected to one of the longest blockades in human history,…
In Palestine, similar to all other nations, education plays a fundamental and crucial role in fostering social and political change. Creative and innovative approaches to education are a means to mobilize disenfranchised members and groups of society towards better wellbeing and better futures. Central to this view is that teaching and learning should enable critical…
One of our families who benefited from our emergency food distribution, Ramzi, cares for 9 family members and must use a wheelchair to get around. His oldest son has been diagnosed with kidney failure bringing more economic hardship to the family. Ramzi, always smiling, does what he can to provide for his family getting by…
The world has been living through a pandemic for more than a year now, and most of us have found ways to cope. We’re lucky: services like Amazon and DoorDash deliver necessities straight to our homes, and our healthcare professionals work round-the-clock to keep us safe. In the war-torn occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), however, millions…
Gazans continue to struggle in a region with massive unemployment, toxic water, and crumbling infrastructure under a blockade of land and sea for 15 years. Food and fuel enter Gaza based upon “mathematical formulas” determined by the occupying forces, in a drip-feeding fashion, or just “enough for survival” according to the Amnesty International February 2022 report Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: a cruel system of domination and a crime against humanity.
For Basma who lives in Gaza, and the sole support for her family of 9, life is a daily struggle to survive. Her husband is imprisoned for debt owed his creditors. Unemployed, he tried unsuccessfully to support his family and now Basma, 42, does what she can to keep food on the family table. Along with her 12-year-old son, they work collecting empty soft drink cans generating an income of approximately 5 shekels a day ($1.47).
“The problem is that after [my husband] was imprisoned, all ways were cut off for us and I was not able to find food for my children, so I went looking for a job but I didn’t find anything except collecting empty cans,” said Basma. A beneficiary of the Ramadan Food Distribution, “my life has changed” according to Basma who received two distributions containing fresh vegetables, maftoul, jam, eggs, live chickens, cheese, and more. Really, I and my children are very happy for this food basket. A lot of thanks for Kinder-USA and I hope from Kinder-USA continues to provide this assistance because it is really a very wonderful help in terms of quantities, quality and satisfy my family need.”
KinderUSA with our partner Beit Lahia are continuing fresh food distribution to 1000 families like Basma and her family. For as little as $65, you can provide fresh food to families who are doing their best to feed their children.
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Life in Lebanon is difficult for most people the economic free fall, COVID-19, and the conflict next door in Syria. Palestinian and Syrian refugees live 88 percent below “minimal survival conditions,” according to a UN representative. Many families are food insecure with both petrol and food prices soaring and out of reach for most placing 4 in every 5 people in poverty. Children are always the most vulnerable with limited access to healthcare, education, shelter, and necessary nutrition.
“More than half of families report that their child has had to skip meals, and hundreds of thousands of children are out of school,” according to an UN expert. “If the situation does not improve immediately, an entire generation of children will be sacrificed.”
For 8 year old El Soloh who lives with his family of 5 siblings in Bourj el-Barajneh Camp in the suburbs of Beirut, a life of poverty has affected every aspect of their living conditions. His father used to work as a taxi driver but once fuel prices soared, he could no longer afford to drive and returned his rented vehicle leaving him unemployed for over a year.
Recipients of the Ramadan food distribution, El Soloh’s family found the pleasure they once knew around the iftar (breaking of fast) table. “Soloh and his siblings reminisced back to a time when their father would come home and discuss the days work, with their mother preparing a nutritious meal,” said Loubane Tay Executive Director of FingerPrint of Change, KinderUSA implementing partner. “KinderUSA not only secured a much-needed meal but also quality time during the holy month of Ramadan within the hard conditions Palestinians face in Lebanon,” Loubane continued. ”
In Lebanon your donations provided meals to 2080 Palestinian, Lebanese, and Syrian families. For the children in Sabra, Shatila, and Baraj el Barajneh camps, including surrounding neighborhoods an Eid (Holiday) Festival including face painting, clowns, games, and gifts was organized. Thank you to all who made this Ramadan a memorable one for all the children we served!
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This Ramadan the need was great and our efforts together have made the difference in the lives of thousands of children and their loved ones.
Ferial is a widow caring for 8 members of her family. At 69 years of age, her health is deteriorating, in addition to suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder since the war in 2014. Her husband passed away in 2007 and she has cared for her children, and now married children and grandchildren, receiving only aid from the World Food Program amounting to approximately $31 a month.
She and her sons do what they can to bring food to the table, but often it is not enough to feed the family. “I am very tired, because I do not have a stable source of income,” said Ferial.
A beneficiary of the Ramadan food distribution, Ferial and her family along with thousands more in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and Lebanon were able to break fast with their family enjoying a meal rich in nutrients.
“I was scared and worried, how would I feed my family in Ramadan but after I received the food basket, I was very happy, especially since more than 8 months, no meat or chicken has entered our house.” Ferial continued.
Our food distribution program will continue beyond Ramadan feeding families like Ferial’s in Gaza and Lebanon. Many families are living on the brink and children are growing without access to proper nutrition. The fresh food distribution enables these families to remain steadfast and focus on other needs.
“When we received the Kinder-USA fresh food basket, we were all happy. All my children and grandchildren were very happy because it secured our basic needs of food during Ramadan month. I am able to pay some of my debt and I have bought my grandchildren Eid Clothes. I thank you all for this blessing!”
This Ramadan the need was great and our efforts together have made the difference in the lives of thousands of children and their loved ones.
Donate Today
Seventy percent of the workforce in rural areas of Gaza is performed by women as laborers. Many of these women will do most anything to feed their families, earning sometimes as little as $1 a day. Working with our partner the Palestine Environmental Friends (PEF), KinderUSA funded through generous donors the Women Empowerment through farming project. The project creates independence for women, builds their capacities, and empowers them economically to care for their families.
Mariam, a mother of 8, lives in Khan Younis. Without an education and a family to feed, Mariam was thrilled to be chosen as a beneficiary of the farming project. Producing zucchini and other vegetables for sale in the open market, the family works together securing their livelihood.
“This helped me a lot to cover my family expenses and needs and to provide my children with food, clothes, toys and to allow them to access health services and complete their education”.
Haneen also lives in the Khuza’ area of Khan Younis supporting a family of 5 with no source of income. She applied for the farming project hoping to be selected after attending an introductory workshop.
“I felt extremely happy once my name was announced and I was selected as a beneficiary in this project!”
Receiving all the necessary tools and training, Haneen farms zucchini and other vegetables in addition to Kohlrabi, rarely seen in Gazan farms.
“Everyone was surprised by this strange plant in the area, which I consider as an (integrated pharmacy) on its own, for all of its health benefits. I’m really thankful for KinderUSA and PEF who supported me to make this success possible!“, Haneen concluded.
Thank you to all who helped to provide economic sustainability for these women and their children. Our Ramadan Fresh Food distribution continues throughout the month. If you have not already, please consider making an online donation today.
Thank you!
Donate Today
Once again, Muslim and Christian worshippers have been attacked during the sacred days of Easter and Ramadan. Acts of provocation designed to instigate further conflict require Palestinians to exercise restraint as they do their best to observe the holiday rituals.
Our work during the month of Ramadan attempts to ease the suffering so many families must endure in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and Lebanon. Fresh food distribution to families such as Mohammed’s in Gaza, brings a sense of solidarity letting them know, they have not been forgotten.
Mohammed is unemployed and survives on $90 a month from the Social Affairs ministry, not nearly enough for food, medical, housing, fuel, and all that comes with supporting a family of 9 children. With the Ramadan fresh food distribution they receive this month the family can focus on other needs rather than worry how they will feed their children.
Mohammad explained: “This Fresh Food basket has helped me with the suffering of providing food for my children throughout Ramadan. I have received enough for half of Ramadan, and I will receive another one in the second half of Ramadan, which means throughout Ramadan, I have food for my children; I am so happy.” Mohammed’s wife added, “Without this help, I would not know what to cook for my children. Today, I have a variety of fresh food, which provides my children with fresh and healthy food throughout the month of Ramadan. That means I know what I want to do today, tomorrow, and the future. I am so grateful for this aid.”
KinderUSA is asking you to support one or more families this Ramadan.
One hundred and thirty dollars will provide enough food for a family during an entire month.
Donate Today
In May 2021, a devastating assault on Gaza, as Ramadan was coming to a close, left 261 Palestinians dead, one third of whom were children, many of whom were members of the same family. Hundreds more were injured and tens of thousands displaced. This is the story of Zahraa and her family who lived in one of the areas that was destroyed during the war. 
Prior to the attack, Zahraa supported a family of 10 through the training and supplies she had received from KinderUSA’s chicken farming project. Her husband is unable to work as he suffers from injuries during the 2014 war. Zahraa’s story was one of success. She was able to provide for her family through chicken breeding, meeting all the financial, medical, and nutritional needs of her household. Sadly, Zahraa’s home and business were reduced to rubble along with their entire neighborhood.
Today the family is homeless, surviving as a result of the generosity and kindness of Zahraa’s brother in-law and his family. They live together in a small house not big enough to hold them all. They have lost everything. A recipient of KinderUSA’s emergency food distribution in 2021, they will join 2500 other families this coming Ramadan in April, receiving fresh food delivered twice during the month.
As we seek the blessings of another Ramadan, all of us at KinderUSA are praying for the families in Palestine and beyond to find peace in a world riddled with hostility and frightening uncertainty. While the world watches and responds to another refugee crisis, we are once again reminded that the people of Gaza have nowhere to go, relying on their own resilience and steadfastness.
Let’s remember our common humanity and let our Palestinian brothers and sisters know they are not forgotten while the world’s attention is drawn elsewhere.
In Palestine, KinderUSA’s primary mission is to provide an environment of safety and the nurturing of good health in children living under such brutal conditions. Providing all children the chance to live with dignity, good health, education, and shelter should be the mission of all.
Subjected to one of the longest blockades in human history, since 2007, whose public health system has been destroyed repeatedly, and where the risk of disease is widespread, less than 4% of fresh water is drinkable, children in Gaza suffer every kind of human rights violation. Survival is a challenge that no child should have to struggle with in our time.
Working in partnership with the Future Development Commission, KinderUSA has been providing freshly prepared meals to children in 13 kindergartens serving 800 children. Eleven women working in a cooperative are paid to prepare the meals which include meat and cheese filled pies, vegetable, and juice. Many of these children attend school having only tea and dry bread in the morning to carry them through the day.
One of the beneficiaries, Zaid, was identified by his teachers shy and withdrawn, and would not interact with classmates nor would he participate in activities. Now, eating lunch together with his peers, Zaid has blossomed like many of his classmates. Zaid’s mother and the teachers all thank you, our donors, for providing meals to these marginalized children giving them the sustenance they need and deserve to grow and thrive.
Donate
In Palestine, similar to all other nations, education plays a fundamental and crucial role in fostering social and political change. Creative and innovative approaches to education are a means to mobilize disenfranchised members and groups of society towards better wellbeing and better futures. Central to this view is that teaching and learning should enable critical thinking and facilitate meaningful knowledge building to indigenous populations.
The kind of education that facilitates critical thinking and independent, self-directive learning is simply not available to the vast majority of the Palestinian population. Our partner in Bethlehem, Ibtikar, has developed a program, Creativity and Innovation in Education, which recruited 20 teachers and 2 community based organizations that work directly with 85 students each round, preparing them for real world careers and challenges while equipping them with 21st century skills with a special focus on creative thinking and entrepreneurship. “Students are anxious and excited each day they participate”, said Sulaima Ramadan, Executive Director Ibtikar.
Our work is only possible with your continued support. Donate anything you can to keep hope alive for our people.
One of our families who benefited from our emergency food distribution, Ramzi, cares for 9 family members and must use a wheelchair to get around. His oldest son has been diagnosed with kidney failure bringing more economic hardship to the family. Ramzi, always smiling, does what he can to provide for his family getting by on $145 a month for food and medicines. Making matters worse, after the assault on Gaza in May, their home was decimated and they now live in an UNRWA shelter with his family. “I remain grateful to all who provided for my family during these most difficult times. Thank you!”
How You Can Make an Impact, Today:
As little as $25 a month for a family of four or more, less than a dollar a day, your donation will carry these families through this challenging period in Lebanon.
You can join the effort to extend our reach by donating today. Your support means so much to those in need, so please give whatever is meaningful to you. Thank you.
The world has been living through a pandemic for more than a year now, and most of us have found ways to cope. We’re lucky: services like Amazon and DoorDash deliver necessities straight to our homes, and our healthcare professionals work round-the-clock to keep us safe.
In the war-torn occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), however, millions of civilians are left to fight a two-faced battle against its occupier and COVID-19.
Just last May, the 11 consecutive days of airstrikes from Israeli military forces killed numerous doctors and caused over 10 health facilities to be damaged, including the Rimal clinic, Gaza’s only major COVID-19 laboratory. These actions have further impaired access to healthcare and trampled the population’s ability to ward off the virus. Subsequently, with the Palestinian territories beginning to report cases of the Delta variant last August, the region’s children are more vulnerable than ever before.
Aid is now sorely needed to provide emergency relief, including helping Palestinians rebuild the foundation of their shaken healthcare system. With such efforts, we can soften the harmful impact of the conflict, preserving their undeniable right to accessible healthcare.
In any war, children are among the most vulnerable, and both Gaza and the West Bank are no exception. We reported just last month that 75 children have been killed by the conflict this year alone, making for an average of 1 child lost every three days.
That’s not all, though: the Delta variant is now the most dominant strain of COVID-19 in Palestine. Since it mostly affects the unvaccinated — including children not eligible for the vaccine — local children are increasingly at risk as schools stay open for the second month since the pandemic began.
To date, a total of 24 medical facilities have been partially or completely destroyed by attacks. And with remaining centers being overwhelmed by both conflict-related injuries and COVID patients, the estimated 1 million children who live in the Palestinian territories may face being barred access to healthcare completely. Through KinderUSA.org, even a simple one-time or small monthly donation can help our programs reach children in the oPt.
Such initiatives include tutoring programs covering subjects like Arabic, English, math, science, reading, and writing. Schooling, in particular, has been a priority for American aid providers as a whole, with the US Department of State itself supporting UN-led educational programs in the area. However, Mark Lombardi, president of Maryville University in St. Louis, notes that not just any kind of educational program can fit the bill.
“[W]e are no longer keepers of knowledge. We must serve instead as agile facilitators of knowledge, evolving and adapting to the new reality of how information flows through the world,” said Lombardi, a prominent contributor to Maryville University’s higher education leadership program. He was talking about education’s role in the modern world as this applies to all initiatives to improve the education of children. The program uses dynamic, future-focused lessons to produce compassionate leaders that can help students flourish, even in times of adversity and unexpected circumstances. “Unlocking the innate potential of all students requires recentering [education] around students and their individual learning journeys.”
Kinder USA also spearheads a Nutritional Meals program that provides up to 32,000 meals to 14 kindergartens in a semester and a Women Empowerment Chicken Farming program that aims to provide more work opportunities to low-income, women-led households in Gaza.
Despite all the unprecedented difficulties they’re facing, however, children in the oPT are doing what children do best: maintaining endless positivity and hope for the future. Our recent music festival is evidence that children just want to be children.
Meanwhile, multiple ongoing initiatives are focusing on nurturing these children’s mental health. One is Drama4Healing, our theater-based approach to therapy created in collaboration with the Palestinian grassroots organization Yes Theatre in Hebron. The avenue helps children express their emotions, learn coping mechanisms to combat the trauma they’ve experienced, and socialize with others.
“The lives of these children and their families have value and cannot be taken with impunity,” Dr. Laila Al-Marayati, KinderUSA chairperson and Muslim Women’s League co-founder asserts. “We have to help replace despair with hope, reminding the global community that Gaza’s children belong to all of us. And indeed, these children are proving resilient and are staying positive, and that’s why we never tire of doing what we can to help. Together, we can give them what people need most, fulfilling their rights to food, education, shelter, health, comfort — and, above all, their right to a healthy future.
Written by Audrey Jasmine Clarke
Exclusive for KinderUSA.org
How You Can Make an Impact, Today:
As little as $25 a month for a family of four or more, less than a dollar a day, your donation will carry these families through this challenging period in Lebanon.
You can join the effort to extend our reach by donating today. Your support means so much to those in need, so please give whatever is meaningful to you. Thank you.
We envision a free, just and peaceful Palestine where children thrive and look forward to a productive future, like children everywhere.
