UPA’s monthly giving program, Circle of Hope, attracts an array of supporters from across the globe. These donors give of themselves to help improve the lives of the Palestinians that we serve. We are truly grateful for their gracious generosity and hope they will inspire you to join our program. With each donation received, we can nurture the young minds of Palestinian children, support a student’s future at a local university in the West Bank or Gaza, help a small business thrive in the face of adversity, console stressed parents looking for answers…the list goes on and on.

UPA recently spoke with Circle of Hope donor, Katherine Metres Akbar, from Alexandria, Virginia, who has been a longtime supporter of the Palestinian cause.

• What encouraged you to become a monthly donor?

Once I became successful enough to make regular and substantial contributions to charity, I wanted to tithe or give 10% of my income to charity, as Christians traditionally have striven to do. UPA is one of the most efficient, effective charities working with Palestinians, and I know from meeting with Saleem what brilliant business sense he brings to the enterprise. UPA has sidestepped getting dragged into the political controversy, as a charity must, and it also provides a great deal of work to Palestinian employees in the region.

• What is your connection to Palestine?

I joined the Palestine Solidarity Committee in college as an outgrowth of my membership in the Arab American Students Association at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor. (I am half Lebanese American.) The first intifada was taking place at that time, and I got curious about whose tale was more accurate: the pro-Palestinians’ or the Zionists’. So, I decided to find out for myself by spending the summer studying at Birzeit University in the West Bank. That summer, I learned about the Palestinian people’s passion for their land and longing for freedom. Ever since I have done what I could to support peace and justice in the Holy Land.

• Why are humanitarian organizations like UPA important and needed now more than ever?

The people of the Gaza Strip are traumatized by repeated exposure to the shelling of their houses, destruction of their water and electricity utilities, and being unable to travel outside of the area. Other Palestinians have also suffered from violence, political imprisonment, and being pushed off their land. They all need support for their mental health and ability to support themselves in the worst of circumstances; many need help covering their basic needs as well. With the unconscionable decision by President Trump to end U.S. funding for UNRWA, Palestinian refugees need our support more than ever.

We hope this inspires you to join our monthly giving program so that we can continue to transform lives and empower communities today and beyond.