Middle East Childrens Alliance

A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WORKING FOR THE RIGHTS AND WELL BEING OF CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

HUMANITARIAN AIDSINCE MECA WAS FOUNDED IN 1988, WE HAVE SENT OR DELIVERED MORE THAN 29 MILLION DOLLARS IN AID TO CHILDREN IN PALESTINE, IRAQ, AND LEBANON TO ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING CAUSED BY WAR, SANCTIONS, AND OCCUPATION. WE SEND SHIPMENTS OF MEDICINE, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, AS WELL AS PROVIDE CLOTHES, BOOKS, TOYS, AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES.IN FY 2020-2021 MECA:-MADE GRANTS TO YOUTH VISION SOCIETY, PALESTINIAN ASSOCIATION FOR DEVELOPMENT AND HERITAGE, NEVER STOP DREAMING, AFAQ JADEEDA, AND UNION OF PALESTINIAN WOMEN'S COMMITTEES TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY FOOD PARCELS, WATER AND HYGIENE KITS TO SHELTERS AND DISPLACED FAMILIES IN GAZA DURING THE ISRAELI ATTACKS IN MAY 2021-MADE A GRANT TO ARD EL INSAN FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN TO TREAT CHILDREN'S HEALTH NEEDS INCLUDING MALNUTRITION RIGHT AFTER THE ISRAELI ATTACKS ON GAZA-MADE A GRANT TO UNION OF HEALTH WORK COMMITTEES FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO TREAT PATIENTS INJURED DURING THE ISRAELI ATTACKS ON GAZA IN MAY 2021-MADE A GRANT TO MOSADER SOCIETY FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT TO PROVIDE WATER TANKS AND CLEAN WATER TO 100 FAMILIES WHO LOST ACCESS TO RUNNING WATER DUE TO DAMAGE FROM THE ISRAELI ATTACKS-MADE GRANTS TO AKKAROUNA ASSOCIATION AND PALESTINIAN WOMEN'S HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY FOOD PARCELS, BLANKETS, HYGIENE KITS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES IMPACTED BY THE BEIRUT BLAST-MADE A GRANT TO PALESTINIAN FARMERS UNION TO PROVIDE FOOD PARCELS FOR FAMILIES IN THE WEST BANK DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN-MADE A GRANT TO SHORUQ ORGANIZATION TO PURCHASE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO TREAT COVID-19 PATIENTS IN BETHLEHEM AREA REFUGEE CAMPS-MADE AN IN-KIND DONATION OF PPE FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN PALESTINE-MADE GRANTS TO YOUTH VISION SOCIETY, PALESTINIAN ASSOCIATION FOR DEVELOPMENT AND HERITAGE PROTECTION, AFAQ JADEEDA, AND UNION OF AGRICULTURAL WORK COMMITTEES TO PURCHASE AND DISTRIBUTE WARM CHILDREN'S CLOTHES, PLASTIC SHEETING FOR BROKEN WINDOWS, HEALTHY MEALS AND FOOD PARCELS TO FAMILIES LIVING IN POVERTY IN GAZA.-MADE GRANTS TO PALESTINIAN WOMEN'S HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION TO DISTRIBUTE WARM WINTER CLOTHES, OIL FOR HEATERS, AND FOOD PARCELS TO PALESTINIAN AND SYRIAN REFUGEE FAMILIES IN LEBANON. -MADE GRANTS TO RIWAQ CENTER TO REHABILITATE HOMES FOR FAMILIES LIVING IN POVERTY IN THE WEST BANK-MADE A GRANT TO DAR ESSALAM HOSPITAL TO SPONSOR PEDIATRIC SURGERIES FOR CHILDREN IN GAZA -MADE GRANTS TO THE LAND DEFENSE COALITION TO PLANT TREES IN PALESTINE-MADE GRANTS TO THE PALESTINIAN MEDICAL RELIEF SOCIETY AND UNION OF HEALTH WORK COMMITTEES TO RUN MOBILE CLINICS TO REACH PATIENTS IN GAZA WITH CHRONIC DISEASES WHO WERE UNABLE TO ACCESS REGULAR HEALTHCARE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC-PURCHASED AND INSTALLED RECHARGEABLE LIGHTING SYSTEMS WITH HUMIDIFIERS FOR CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA IN GAZA WHO DON'T HAVE REGULAR ELECTRICITY-CONTRACTED WITH DR. MONA EL-FARRA, WAFAA EL-DERAWI, AND WAED ABBAS TO OVERSEE OUR AID WORK IN PALESTINE.SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN'S PROJECTSMECA HAS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS WITH SEVERAL GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS IN PALESTINE AND LEBANON THAT ADDRESS CHILDREN'S BASIC NEEDS AND OFFER THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO PLAY, LEARN, AND ENVISION A BETTER FUTURE. WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR PROGRAMS, RESPONDING TO REQUESTS FOR WHAT IS NEEDED IN EACH OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.IN FY 2020-2021 MECA:-MADE GRANTS TO THE FREEDOM THEATRE IN JENIN REFUGEE CAMP FOR GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES, INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING, CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING AND THEIR MULTIMEDIA UNIT.-MADE GRANTS TO MADAA SILWAN CREATIVE CENTER FOR THEIR CHILDREN'S LIBRARY NAMED AFTER EDWARD SAID INCLUDING PROGRAMMING ON CREATIVE WRITING AND STORYTELLING AND FOR A LAWYER, PSYCHOLOGIST, AND ACADEMIC TUTORING FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED OR FACED OBSTACLES SUCH AS HOME DEMOLITION OR SCHOOL CLOSURES.-MADE GRANTS TO NEVER STOP DREAMING, AFAQ JADEEDA, AL TAGHREED, AND UNION OF PALESTINIAN WOMEN'S COMMITTEES FOR SUMMER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN GAZA-MADE GRANTS TO YOUTH VISION SOCIETY FOR TWO BRANCHES OF THE EDWARD SAID LIBRARY IN GAZA -MADE GRANTS TO SHORUQ ORGANIZATION IN DHEISHEH REFUGEE CAMP TO ORGANIZE DANCE AND MUSIC ACTIVITIES AND A FREE SUMMER CAMP FOR CHILDREN, RUN A MULTIMEDIA CENTER WHERE CHILDREN AND YOUTH LEARN TO USE AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDING FOR THEIR MUSIC, STORIES AND INTERVIEWS WITH ELDERS, AND COVER THEIR GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES. -MADE GRANTS TO YAFA CULTURAL CENTER AND PROJECT HOPE FOR MUSIC PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN IN NABLUS REFUGEE CAMPSMADE GRANTS TO AL ZAWAHRA WOMEN'S SOCIETY CENTER TO RUN THE SCHOOL CAFETERIA AND PROVIDE HEALTHY FOOD TO 400 CHILDREN IN A BETHLEHEM VILLAGE AND TO RUN A FREE SUMMER CAMP.-MADE GRANTS TO FUTURE HOME ASSOCIATION TO BUILD A PLAYGROUND AND CYCLING TRACK FOR CHILDREN IN KHUZA'A GAZA AND A GRANT TO SKETCH ENGINEERING TO PROVIDE SOLAR PANELS SO THE PLAYGROUND HAS LIGHTS AND TO POWER A WATER PURIFICATION UNIT INSTALLED SO CHILDREN CAN DRINK CLEAN, SAFE WATER-MADE GRANTS TO AL JALIL ASSOCIATION AND PALESTINIAN WOMEN'S HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION FOR INFORMAL SCHOOLS, FIELD TRIPS, AND HUMAN RIGHTS WORKSHOPS FOR MORE THAN 250 CHILDREN WHO ARE REFUGEES FROM SYRIA LIVING IN LEBANON AND CAN'T ATTEND LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND FOR A GIRLS SPORTS PROJECT INTEGRATING PALESTINIAN AND SYRIAN REFUGEES.-MADE A GRANT TO RIWAQ CENTER FOR ARCHITECTURE FOR THE SPACES FOR SOCIAL CHANGE FUND TO BUILD PLAYGROUNDS IN PALESTINIAN VILLAGES-MADE GRANTS TO AL-AMAL INSTITUTE AND RURAL WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION FOR AFTERSCHOOL TUTORING PROJECTS FOR ORPHANS AND CHILDREN IN REMOTE AREAS -MADE A GRANT TO THE LAND DEFENSE COALITION TO BUILD AND RENOVATE SCHOOLS IN THE JORDAN VALLEY AS PART OF THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN-MADE A GRANT TO PALESTINIAN MUSIC CENTER FOR CULTURE TO ORGANIZE FREE OUTDOOR CONCERTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN -MADE A GRANT TO COMMUNITY TRAINING CENTER AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT TO TRAIN STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ALL OVER GAZA IN HOW TO SUPPORT CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMATHE MAIA PROJECT:THE MAIA PROJECT TO PROVIDE CLEAN WATER TO CHILDREN IN GAZA BEGAN AT THE REQUEST OF SCHOOLCHILDREN IN GAZA. THE UNITS ARE LOCALLY MANUFACTURED AND OUR PARTNER IN THE PROJECT, THE PALESTINIAN ASSOCIATION FOR DEVELOPMENT AND HERITAGE PROTECTION, RECEIVES THE FUNDS AND OVERSEES THE WORK ALONG WITH MECA STAFF.IN FY 2020-2021 MECA:-INSTALLED 3 NEW WATER PURIFICATION UNITS TO PROVIDE SAFE, CLEAN WATER TO CHILDREN IN GAZA-MADE REPAIRS AND PAYMENTS ON A MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS FOR WATER PURIFICATION UNITS BUILT IN PAST YEARS-CONTRACTED WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER TO CONDUCT REGULAR MONITORING OF THE WATER QUALITY AND OVERSEE THE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE ON ALL THE UNITS WE HAVE INSTALLED IN SCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOLS ACROSS GAZA.

EDUCATION AND ACTIONMECA WORKS TO BUILD GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LIVES OF CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND TO INSPIRE PEOPLE IN THE US TO ACTION THROUGH A RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS.IN FY 2020-2021 MECA:-CO-PUBLISHED "DETERMINED TO STAY: PALESTINIAN YOUTH FIGHT FOR THEIR VILLAGE" BY MECA STAFF MEMBER JODY SOKOLOWER-PRESENTED AT CONFERENCES, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, AND UNIVERSITY EVENTS ABOUT CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE EAST.-LED EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS ON HOW TO INTEGRATE LESSONS ABOUT PALESTINIAN CHILDREN INTO THEIR CLASSROOMS.-ORGANIZED VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL EVENTS WITH MECA STAFF AS WELL AS SPEAKERS AND ARTISTS TO PRESENT ON CURRENT EVENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. -PRINTED AND MAILED EDUCATIONAL NEWSLETTERS-MADE GRANTS TO DALIA ASSOCIATION, YOUTH VISION SOCIETY, PALESTINE WOMEN'S HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION, UNION CIVIC COALITION FOR PALESTINIAN RIGHTS, GRASSROOTS JERUSALEM, FICTION COUNCIL, FRAGMENTS THEATRE, WITNESS CENTER FOR CITIZEN'S RIGHTS, SPARK INNOVATION & CREATIVITY SOCIETY AND CULTURE AND FREE THOUGHT ASSOCIATION FOR EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING IN PALESTINE INCLUDING FILM FESTIVALS, YOUTH MEDIA PLATFORMS, AND THEATRE PRODUCTIONS-CONTRACTED WITH EXPERTS TO OVERSEE OUR EDUCATIONAL WORK IN THE US AND PALESTINE

UNIVERSITY AIDIN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING PRE-SCHOOLS, KINDERGARTENS, LIBRARIES AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN THE WEST BANK AND GAZA, MECA PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO YOUNG PALESTINIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS ENABLE TALENTED AND AMBITIOUS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES TO OBTAIN DEGREES AND THE SKILLS TO MAKE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THEIR COUNTRY.IN FY 2020-2021 MECA PROVIDED PARTIAL OR FULL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 140 UNIVERSITY STUDENTS STUDYING AT NINE UNIVERSITIES IN THE WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP THROUGH THE ELLY JAENSCH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND, THE MARY BISHARAT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, THE TREE OF LIFE SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND THE RAMZY HALABY EDUCATION FUND. COMMUNITY INCOME PROJECTSMECA SUPPORTS INCOME GENERATION PROJECTS TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.IN FY 2020-2021 MECA:-PURCHASED CRAFTS FROM PALESTINIAN ARTISANS AND COOPERATIVES TO PROVIDE INCOME FOR FAMILIES AND TO RAISE FUNDS FOR MECA'S PROJECTS.-MADE GRANTS TO GREEN PLAINS ASSEMBLY, PALESTINIAN HYDROLOGY GROUP, HARABA ORGANIZATION, CULTURE AND FREE THOUGHT ASSOCIATION, AND GAZA URBAN AGRICULTURE PLATFORM FOR INCOME GENERATING PROJECTS INCLUDING SOAP MAKING, GROWING AZZOLLA, DEVELOPING TOURIST OASES, AND SUPPORTING WOMEN'S AGRIPENEURS.