Iqraa: Running for Palestinian Education
UPA has partnered with the Iqraa running club in the Washington, DC area to raise more than $90,000 for education projects in Palestine since 2008. Iqraa, which means “read” in Arabic, has trained 80+ runners—including beginners—to successfully complete the Baltimore Half-Marathon or the Marine Corps Marathon.
In 2011, funds raised by Iqraa runners were directed to UPA’s University Scholarship Program and the Spafford Children’s Center. The scholarship program supports around 100 Palestinian students annually to study at 14 universities in Palestine, offering higher academic education opportunities to many young people who would not otherwise be able to afford college. In 2011 alone, Iqraa supported 7 students in Gaza with full tuition.
The Spafford Center, in the Old City of East Jerusalem, provides services to children having difficulties in school due to speech problems, learning disabilities, and psychological problems due to stress disorders. Iqraa’s generous donation covered the costs for 243 children to receive one to three semesters of special education and speech therapy. This included pre-course assessments, post-course evaluations, and parent participation. Dr. Jantien Dajani, who serves on Spafford’s Board of Trustees, wrote:
“Last year, thousands of children could not register for school because of a lack of classrooms and schools for the East Jerusalem Palestinian population. We are therefore very grateful for the grant that we received from Iqraa and UPA, which gave us the opportunity to continue and to intensify our educational program. Your donation made this possible.”
In 2012, Iqraa plans to continue funding students in West Bank and Gaza universities and also to sponsor a UPA work-study pilot program. This program is intended to leverage donors’ money to provide more students with UPA scholarships, thus fostering a stronger partnership among UPA, Iqraa, and participating universities. These invaluable
scholarships will offer students the opportunity to invest in their post-secondary education and will provide them with valuable work experiences to improve their future prospects.
Selected students will receive an $800 UPA scholarship and commit to working 40 hours a year with their university in return for a $200 tuition credit. A $1,000 total scholarship covers most if not all of a student’s tuition costs. Following this pilot, UPA plans on expanding this program to other university partners in Palestine.
To learn more about Iqraa, read the answers to some frequently asked questions below or contact Kirk Campbell via email at kirkcruachan@yahoo.com.
What does United Palestinian Appeal do to aid Palestinian education?
UPA works with local schools, orphanages, vocational training centers, and universities in an effort to help strengthen the Palestinian educational system. The school system in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is underdeveloped due to years of occupation and neglect.
Students and teachers must contend with overcrowded classrooms, rundown buildings and facilities, outdated curricula, and inadequate training for teachers, in addition to school closures and restrictions on movement for students and staff. A growing population and limited finances present further obstacles to improving the educational system for Palestinian youth.
UPA-supported educational projects in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Lebanon provide communities with modern educational resources such as libraries, scientific laboratories, computer centers, improved classroom facilities, and qualified, well-trained teachers.
How do I know my money is going to the right place?
UPA ensures both that donations are not used to unnecessarily fund overhead and that the funds we send to Palestine go through long-established and reputable organizations. UPA also complies fully with U.S. regulations and is a proud member of the Combined Federal Campaign and the Independent Charities of America.
Can you send money to Gaza?
Yes. In fact, UPA has been at the forefront in responding to the ongoing crises in Gaza. We sent 18.5 tons worth of food aid to Gaza, distributed by UNRWA to 19,334 of the neediest families in Gaza. At the end of February 2009, just days after learning that one of the few health clinics in Gaza had been completely destroyed, UPA made an emergency grant to help our longtime partner, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, in the rebuilding effort. And we continue to send funds through our Child Sponsorship Program to over 100 children in Gaza.
What are UPA’s political positions?
None. UPA is a strictly non-partisan, non-sectarian 501(c)(3) charity.