As UPA’s 40th year of service comes to a close, we are sadly reminded that the growth and development of our organization is a reflection of the predicament the Palestinian people continue to face. 70 years after the catastrophe, 50 years after the occupation, 40 years after Camp David, and 25 years after Oslo, the need to expand UPA’s services is just as compelling today as it was 40 years ago.

By donating to UPA on #GivingTuesday, you can support innovative projects and initiatives that can make a meaningful impact on the lives of the Palestinians we serve.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Children living under siege in the Gaza Strip have seen repeated military assaults, causing the death of loved ones and the destruction of familiar surroundings. The effects of the trauma they experience can last into adulthood, hindering their ability to cope with the challenges of living under occupation. UPA’s Healing Through Feeling program is building a cushion of support around Gaza’s children by hiring local mental health practitioners (MHPs) and providing them with cutting-edge training and professional development. They then lead psycho-education sessions for parents and teachers to increase awareness of trauma and its symptoms as well as to provide tools caregivers can use to alleviate trauma in their children.

For as little as $15, you can provide a parent in Gaza with an art kit that will help them identify and address the symptoms of trauma in their children.

• One of the sectors most adversely affected by the ongoing blockade is Gaza’s fishing sector. While the fishing sector has traditionally been a major source of employment and food security.  Today it is in a precarious position.

With just $60, we can purchase safety equipment and water-resistant clothing. Your donation will protect fishermen from the cold, water, and the heat of the sun. The fishermen will also be provided with lights that will increase their visibility while fishing.

Despite the 20 nautical mile limit agreed upon by Israel and the PLO in 1994, the fishing zone has been reduced drastically by the Israeli authorities since then, ranging from a high of 12 nautical miles to a low of 3 nautical miles.

And your donation of $100, can provide adequate fishing nets for fishermen increasing their productivity and their income.

• UPA has helped thousands of students realize their dreams of higher education by awarding them full-degree scholarships to attend leading Palestinian universities. By doing so, UPA aims to support local universities and help foster a freethinking, innovative, and resilient generation, ready to address the challenges of tomorrow.

With a donation of $1000, you can support the average cost of a semester for a Palestinian student attending a university in Gaza or the West Bank.

We hope you will be inspired to give to UPA and remember Facebook and PayPal will match donations starting at 5 am PST on November 27 and continue matching donations to nonprofits until the $7M match runs out.

Together, we can continue to provide these services to Palestinians across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, and Lebanon, truly transforming lives and empowering communities. Together we can expand #beyond40yrs.