Eid Mubarak from Jordan! My name is Nisreen Abu AlSheikh, UPA’s Programs Coordinator working in two refugee camps in Jordan. This year, donors like you helped provide 150 Palestinian families with food vouchers during Ramadan.

Your generosity made such a difference in the of so many Palestinians refugees living in the Gaza (Jerash) and Hittin (Marka) Camps. As I walked through the aisles of stores, many women and children embraced me and said, “You’ve lifted this huge weight off our shoulders.”

It is times like these when I realize organizations like UPA are truly making a difference, and because of your continued financial support,  we can do this transformative work. It’s important to remember though, that these vouchers and parcels are not food security, but just temporary initiatives that are not sustainable. Nonetheless,  a modest gesture like the food vouchers or parcels, genuinely transforms the lives of a Palestinian family in Jordan. So often, many women pull me aside when I visit the camps and share their stories with me.

It is these moments that I cherish the most, because despite our status, we are the same. We are Palestinians who cannot return to our homelands. Even though I was not born in Palestine, I have a deep connection to my land and an even deeper one to my people.

I was shocked to find that many residents in these camps still carry their original keys to their homes in Palestine – I was overwhelmed with emotion.

During the past three years, so many stories touched my heart especially those told by the women in the camps.  These mothers say how it’s easy to help their child forget he is poor by distracting them, but there is no way to hide hunger.

As a parent, there is nothing one can do to ease your child’s hunger when there is no food at your disposal. Throughout Ramadan, donors like you gave these Palestinian families a break from their lives in the camps. You empowered them. You may never know how someone’s life is going to be impacted by your generosity, but I see it everyday.

It was a humbling experience to watch families walk through the aisles, able to buy food for their families this Ramadan. Your generosity did more for them than you will ever know.

Thank you for empowering Palestinians communities and for giving of yourself so others can eat.

Eid Mubarak.

Nisreen Abu AlSheikh