We are a volunteer collective of artists and creatives encouraging microdonations for 25 families in Gaza. Subscribe for updates on our work, ways to participate, and new art.
Gaza families value education so much
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Hi Reader, Often in our newsletters I feature one particular family. Today I'm going to focus on a theme that impacts almost every one of our 25 families: education. Before October 2023, Palestinians (including those who live in Gaza) had some of the highest literacy rates in the world. More than 90% of schools were damaged or destroyed during the genocide, with libraries and universities targeted as well. As a UNICEF spokesperson said in January, educational programs in Gaza are not a "nice to have. This is an emergency."* Many of our families have not been able to provide their children with any formal education for the past 2 and a half years. This has created an understandable panic about not being able to provide such an essential part of life for their children. Private school is the only option available for our families, and many can't afford the fees. Nourhan expressed her confusion and dismay recently. Her daughter Najat is now 7 and has never attended school; in normal times her son Muhammad would be starting kindergarten this year. She's already struggling to afford food, medicine for the chronic medical conditions the family has, and a new tent to replace the moldy and tattered one they currently live in. She would have to spend $250 per month for Najat to attend school, and $200 monthly for Muhammad, which just isn't possible right now. Ameera is also eager to enroll her 10-year-old daughter Rafif in school. Rafif was an excellent student before the war, but right now the family doesn't have funds for school fees. Education is also the main reason Ameera longs to evacuate from Gaza. Her oldest son Mansour just turned 14 and has development disabilities and learning delays. The educational and health services he needs simply aren't available in Gaza. Other Coffees for Gaza families were able to enroll their children this past January, and the end of the year graduations were truly joyous moments. Abdullah shared the picture below of three of his sons with their graduation certificates. This was only possible through the solidarity and generosity of people like you, especially since Abdullah also has large medical bills due to multiple health conditions. You may remember that his son Amer was injured when a wall fell on him during a bombing in July 2025. You can see a picture of him now with his brothers below. Salam's daughter Nour graduated from the first stage of kindergarten this spring (see adorable picture below). Though Salam and Mohammed still worry about their children's safety and their future, they also found happiness in this moment. As I shared in a recent newsletter, Hamza was able to finish 11th grade with a 92% GPA despite also being the breadwinner for his family of 6 siblings and his parents. One of the things he is fundraising for right now is funds for a tutor to as he studies for the Tawjihi. (His scores on the Tawjihi will determine his options for university.) Mona Zahed, the mother of one of our families and the author of the cookbook Tabkha: Recipes from Under the Rubble, has used the success of her book to share the beauty of education with other families. Using the book's proceeds and community donations to a fundraising campaign, Mona founded the Amal al-Mustaqbal School, which had approximately 180 students last school year, served by 18 teachers and staff. You can learn more about the school in this previous newsletter. Like me, I'm sure you dream of a day when high quality education is available to all families in Gaza, without having to sacrifice other essentials to pay for it. Until then, please know that every donation you make to one of our families or to our emergency fund is truly life-sustaining.
With love and solidarity, Rebekah Gienapp and the Coffees for Gaza team *UNICEF article: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/rebuilding-hope-unicef-expands-back-learning-hundreds-thousands-children-gaza Invite a friend to subscribe | Coffees for Gaza on Instagram | Family Sponsor Program | CoffeesforGaza.com |
Coffees for Gaza
We are a volunteer collective of artists and creatives encouraging microdonations for 25 families in Gaza. Subscribe for updates on our work, ways to participate, and new art.
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