The Tree of Life Educational Fund has provided scholarships to Palestinian university students since the Fall of 2011. The students would not have been able to attend school without our support. Since 2011, we have provided funds for many Palestinian students to complete their bachelor’s degrees in a wide variety of studies. We are proud of their success. It is not easy to concentrate on a degree living under the threat of occupation and continuous violence. Your continued support is essential.
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Middle East Childrens’ Alliance (MECA)
Each year, MECA provides more than 100 university scholarships at Palestinian universities in the West Bank and Gaza to enable dedicated students to obtain degrees and the skills to make important contributions to their communities and their country. The Israeli occupation of Palestine, along with the siege of the Gaza Strip, creates multiple obstacles for students pursuing higher education. Getting to and from school is difficult and the economic deterioration makes it very hard for families to afford university tuition. Palestinian students in Gaza are prevented from leaving the country to attend universities in other parts of the world.
Here is the story of one of those scholarship recipients, Mona Abu Yousef, who is studying education at Al Aqsa University, Gaza, Palestine:
Mona Abu Yousef – Student at Al Aqsa University, Gaza
“During the last war on Gaza, our house was completely destroyed. Today, we live in a small house of one room for the whole family. This difficult situation negatively affected my academic achievement. I almost had to drop out my studying because of the economic situation which reached the worst level after the war. However, MECA scholarship was a lifeline for me to overcome these miserable situations and continue my studying. The most horrible moment in my life was when we had to flee from our homes. I think people throughout the world would learn a lot about Palestinians if they just experienced one minute of war. Our only desire is to have the right to live, no more and no less. One minute can change everything in Gaza. Our dream is to have peace and safety.”
Tree of Life has donated $7,000 to MECA for both the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years. These funds have supported 10 university scholarships for Gaza students each year, ranging from $300-$1,000 each.
Alrowwad
Tree of Life has donated $7,000 to Alrowwad for both the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years. These funds have provided scholarships for students at the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem and from other towns and refugee camps in the West Bank. Students major in subjects of their own choosing and are re-evaluated each year on the basis of need and academic accomplishment. Here are notes from three recipients in 2021.
Shepherds’ High School
We also support the Shepherds’ High School in Beit Sahour with an annual gift of $5,000 to help with scholarships for elementary and high school children, relying upon our friend, George Sa’adeh for the administration of these scholarships. George sent us this note of thanks in 2020:
We would like to thank you for your generous donation by paying the amount of $5,000 as part of the tuition fees for thirty five needy students for the scholastic year 2019/2020. We consider you a true friend for the school and for the children. We appreciate your support. God bless you.
