al fakhoora quarterly report

Furkan Dogan Medicine Scholarship Awarded

Vocational Training LaunchedIUG

Phase 1 of the Islamic University of Gaza’s reconstruction program is now complete!

Al Fakhoora Quarterly Report APRIL 2012

Al FAkhoorA QuArterly report APRIL 2012 03

Al Fakhoora 04

Reconstruction Program 06

Partnerships 09

Al Fakhoora Feature Stories 13

Dynamic Futures Scholarship Program 16

Advocacy and the Empowerment Program 20

Health and Wellness Services 24

New Partnerships 27

Contents

Al FAkhoorA QuArterly report APRIL 201204

The core mission of Al Fakhoora is to advocate and measurably improve the quality of education and the lives of Palestinian students living in Gaza and the West Bank. Al Fakhoora realizes that its mission cannot be fully materialized given the Israeli blockade around Gaza and the occupation of Palestine which denies students from travelling freely to pursue education.

Al Fakhoora focuses on four specific areas of intervention to support higher education in Gaza. These areas include; our flagship scholarship and empowerment program ‘Dynamic Futures’, our reconstruction and rehabilitation of educational institutes prorgam, ‘Reconstruction Program’, psychosocial and disability program ‘Health and Wellness Services’, and our student-initiated global advocacy campaign, ‘Fakhoora.org’.

Al Fakhoora provides a solid communication platform to students in Gaza, Qatar and English-speaking audiences, to utilize online social media tools and effectively advocate for their cause and their right to education on a larger scale.

Al Fakhoora

The $3million project delivered two fully furnished additional floors and boasts state of the art laboratory equipment.

i


Recent Accomplishments We mark the beginning of this report by announcing the completion of our first reconstruction project in Gaza.

The Islamic University of Gaza now boasts two new floors fully equipped with labs for its School of Medicine and Sciences. The university had suffered structural damage to many of its buildings during the 22 day war in 2009. IUG is Gaza’s oldest university and has a student body of 30,000 students.

Moving forward, Al Fakhoora strives to provide its students in Gaza with an exceptional learning experience throughout their college education years. We continue to seek partners with fresh and unconventional approaches to education and student services to provide an environment that defies the abnormal circumstances that the blockade imposes on the youth of Gaza.

The Al Fakhoora team is working on setting standards and institutionalizing its flagship scholarship program, Dynamic Futures, where application, processes, monitoring and evaluation are standardized and move systematically and smoothly.

While surveying the practical needs of students, we are carefully following developments in the student services sector to adopt a methodology that ensures quality services to students.

In September Al Fakhoora signed an agreement with the University College of Applied Sciences that marked the begining of a venture into supporting students with an interest in vocational training.

The two phased training program has seen the successful completion of its first phase, where students took part in 120 hours of vocational training and 24 hours of managerial training.

We take this issue of our quarterly report as an opportunity to ask you to visit our website, www.fakhoora.org and follow us Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, where you can be part of our vibrant student activity and take part in our campaigns.

FIG 1 //

Donations put into action

RECoNSTRUCTIoN PHASE 2

PSyCHo/SoCIAL& DISABILTIy

RECoNSTRUCTIoN PHASE 1

SCHoLARSHIP EMPoWERMENT

PRoGRAM

6,116,192 2,200,000 1,500,000 2,500,000

5,984,605 2,529,390 1,500,000 2,500,000

al Fakhoora

iDB

spending in us$


Islamic University of GazaPhase 1 of the Islamic University of Gaza’s reconstruction program is now complete!

Al Fakhoora is proud to announce the completion of its first reconstruction project in Gaza.

The Islamic University in Gaza will inaugurate the two floors for the faculty of Medicine and Sciences this May 2012. The $3million project delivered two fully furnished additional floors and boasts state of the art laboratory equipment.

IUG serves approximately 30,000 students and houses ten departments, including engineering, education, Sharia and law. Its School of Medicine is the first to open in the Gaza Strip.

Al Fakhoora’s Dynamic Future program supports 17 medical students at the Islamic University of Gaza, who will be among those students benefitting from these fantastic, new and modern facilities.

ReconstructionAn update on the extensive building works taking place in Gaza’s schools and colleges.

IUG serves approximately 30,000 students and houses 10 departments, including engineering, education, Sharia and law.

i

Students prepare to enter their brand new science and medicine department at IUG!


Moving forward with our Reconstruction ProjectsSpanning seven different colleges, the universities benefiting from this reconstruction program include Al Azhar University, Al Quds Open University, The Islamic University of Gaza, Al Aqsa University, The College of Science and Technology in Khan Younis, Palestine Technical College in Deir Al Balah, College of Ability Development in Khan Younis and University College of Applied Sciences.

We have targeted these institutions most affected by the wars on Gaza, and have also incorporated institutions with various specialisms to enable excellence in multiple disciplines.

These projects involve the reconstruction of buildings and the delivery of educational materials such as scientific lab equipment, IT technology, books and other basic infrastructure items such as furniture and relevant teaching resources.

PHASE I 2010–2011

PHASE II 2011–2012

PHASE III 2012–2013

PHASE IV 2013–2014

· Reconstruction Assessment· Islamic University of Gaza

· Al Azhar I & II· Al Quds I & II· Islamic University of Gaza I & II· Khan Younis I & II· UCAS I

· UCAS technical workshop· Al-Quds Establishing electronic library· Al Aqsa: establishing a central library· Al Azhar University: build conference hall

· Palestine Technical College· Al Quds: establishing labs· UCAS: It facilities· Khan Younis : Lecture Hall

FIG 2 //

ReconstRuction timelines

FIG 3 //

pRoJect status

Project Name Phase I Phase II Phase III Phase IV

R-301 IUG I

R-302 Al Quds l

R-303 Al Azhar l

R-304 Al Azhar ll

R-305 Khan Younis I

R-306 UCAS I

R-307 Khan Youns II

R-308 Al Quds II

R-309 IUG II

CoMPLETE


Al Fakhoora begins reconstruction work in Al Quds open UniversityThe 14 month project will establish a two floor building on an area of 850sq meters in the newly allocated area west of Khan Younis. The structure will be used to house academic and administrative departments for the University’s Khan Younis Branch. QRC is overseeing the project on the ground and engineers are currently redesigning the project to include infrastructural work for roads, water and electricity supply.

Reconstruction and maintenance for the agriculture college buildings and facilities at Al Azhar University continueThe University will benefit from resorted and equipped facilities replacing the destroyed structure of the agriculture faculty in Beit Hanoun. The $2.5million project will provide rehabilitation of the old campus in Gaza and preparation of the infrastructure of the new campus (including the new agriculture college building) in Mughraga, south of Gaza City.

Al Fakhoora has made solid progress with its project which will benefit the school of Engineering and Information Technology at Al Azhar UniversityThe 9-month project will deliver eight new engineering and IT labs to the school, provide computers, main servers, accessories and furniture to the facility.

Upgrading and construction of the College of Ability DevelopmentIn collaboration with the Palestine Red Crescent Society, Al Fakhoora has begun construction work on the College of Ability Development in Khan Younis.

The new structure will establish 3 classrooms, 4 supportive facilities rooms and an external wall. The college will also house a new library, new equipment for the computer lab and provide a 100kva electrical generator.

The original building which was built in 1975 was vulnerable and could not withstand extra development; it was therefore determined safer to construct a new building instead of restoring the old structure. This will also allow future extension for the growing college.

The University College of Applied Sciences is currently undergoing construction work that will provide its technical workshop building with a much-needed additional floor. Work on this project kicked off in Feb 2012The University College of Science and Technology in Khan Younis, has experienced flooding problems as a result of rainfall.

Al Fakhoora had pledged $250,000 to fully equip and revamp the conference hall at the college. However, to ensure that the hall does not incur future damage, infiltration wells to prevent flooding have been built. This will ensure that the furniture, lighting and audio-visual equipment and air conditioning that will be installed in the hall will not be damaged.

Al Quds open University 65% of the work has been completed at the Al Quds Open University electronic lab, which has received 103,000 USD worth of computers, printers, network and office equipment and furniture. The project is expected to be completed in April.


Partnerships

As of 2012 we have 300 students enrolled in BA and BSc programs specializing in over sixteen degrees from education to medicine, and our students are enrolled in eight different academically acclaimed universities in Gaza.

Our strategic partnerships with key organizations such as the Islamic Development Bank, UNDP, Qatar Red Crescent, and most recently, Islamic Relief and UCAS, allow us to contribute to the education sector with wider scope, through reconstruction and rehabilitation of education institutions, youth empowerment and psychosocial services.

Over the next ten years Al Fakhoora will focus on providing an additional 1,000 scholarships (100 annually) to students in Gaza in order to pursue higher education both in Gaza and abroad.

Al Fakhoora operates with vital and generous support from a number of partnerships, which continue to evolve and grow. Take a look at our existing projects, as well as new developments, with our dedicated partners.

FIG 4 //

154 Families empoweReD BY economic inteRvention peR sectoR

Economic

Commercial

Industrial

Service

14

16

43

27

%

Economic

Commercial

Industrial

Service

14

16

43

27

%


Vocational TrainingThe following criteria in participants is required for selection onto the income generation project:

— Feasibility study — Social and poverty status — Trainers’ rating — Discipline — Capability to set up a project

Al Fakhoora and IDB update on vocational education programAl Fakhoora signed an agreement with Islamic Relief Palestine (IRPAL) in September 2011, that saw the launch of a vocational training program which was designed to empower marginalized youth groups in Gaza, including those with disabilities, to achieve economic self reliance.

Following a thorough needs assessment and field survey, the courses were selected for their relevance and need. The assessment gauged the academic and capacity capabilities required, while IRPAL identified University College of Applied Sciences and Palestine Technical College in Deir Al Balah as its implementing partners.

10 NGOs and academic institutions were contacted to nominate potential candidates for the program. The 15 month program then kick-started with 18 hours of managerial training designed to help the students learn how to set up new businesses. The training is also designed to enable them to create a clear vision of the feasibility study which will be a critical measure for nominating the most suitable 50 trainees for the second phase of the program.

To date, the students have successfully completed the required 120 hours of vocational training in eight courses. These include cell phone maintenance, sewing embroidery, cooking and food processing, computer programming, web and multimedia design, photography and video production.

Wala Younis is one of the 100 students taking part in the program. The 22 year old student from Deir Al Balah has joined the program and hopes to be selected for the second stage of the program which will provide students with the opportunity of setting up their own business within their new domain. Wala feels encouraged by the possibility of owning her own business to sustain her family financially. She has been seeking employment for many months but has been unsuccessful in finding a job.

“I can feel the change in my mindset and attitude. The idea of setting up my own scheme is really appealing and challenging,” she said.

The students are expected to complete an additional six hours of managerial training before they begin to work on their feasibility studies. The remaining 50 students will be provided with temporary working opportunities for a six month period.

IRPAL has hailed this program for its ability to promote self confidence in young people and illustrate that economic empowerment is not limited to traditional forms of employment. The organisation also stressed the ongoing need for similar capacity-building projects and a growing interest in this particular focus.

120 hours of vocational training hours completed

8 different courses


Mujahed was sixteen years old when he discovered he had diabetes. Living in an extremely poor extended family, which included 9 nephews and nieces, and with no regular financial support, his situation took a toll on him psychologically. He became isolated and was forced to stop his work as a mechanic. This meant that the household lost an important source of income.

Mujahed’s family went on to be registered as a vulnerable family by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The Deprived families Economic Empowerment Programme (DEEP) teams up with Al Fakhoora, to create potential capital resources for deprived families.

For Mujahed’s family, work began on developing an independent business project for their sustainability and independence.

“This project makes me and my entire family comfortable financially, which reduces so much worry and stress.

– Khaldeya

Meet Mujahed Alhasany ual Fakhoora, unDp/Deep success storyMujahed Alhasany is 20 years old. He lives with his family, which includes three brothers and four sisters. Sadly, one of his brothers was killed during an Israeli military attack.


The team, along with the family, developed an idea to start a small furniture renovation business. The business model required equipment and human resources, which the family members could easily provide. In October 2011, Mujahed, his three remaining brothers and his mother, Khaldeya, kick-started their project.

“We are blessed by Allah for providing us with this project, which got all my sons working together. After my fifth son passed away, and Mujahed’s depression and health turned worse, I was afraid that our family was broken forever. I have always prayed for a strong family and the chance to enjoy my grandchildren. Life is so challenging at the moment, especially with our economic situation, that life felt impossible at times,” Khaldeya said.

With four sons rotating work shifts, the family business is growing quickly and has even developed an excellent reputation as a professional furniture renovation workshop. According to the accounts kept by the supervising and coaching DEEP staff, the net income of the company ranges from $500 - $600 per month, which is an incredible achievement.

Mujahed’s new employment and the support of his family and community have positively impacted his health and well-being. Despite still suffering from diabetes and his reliance on medication, he happily works alongside his brothers.

But the opportunities don’t end with Mujahed. The Dynamic Futures program has awarded Mujahed’s sister, Yasmeen, a scholarship for undergraduate study in teaching.

“I could not believe it when I heard that Yasmeen would have the chance of a scholarship. She has always dreamed of being a teacher. She was about to finish secondary school with very good grades and

I was so worried about what was next for her. I didn’t know how I was going to find the money for her to study, the money to travel there (to college) and back each day, and all the other costs involved.” Khaldeya added.

Yasmeen says: “I am really living a dream! I knew how much my mother was worried about my future and the future of all of my brothers. Since beginning the Al Fakhoora scholarship, I have been so involved in their community, I feel that I belong to a big family of students now. I have been able to save some money for clothes, I am trying to be independent and not add more pressure onto my family. I feel like I have another family that supports me and that’s a great feeling.”

The Alhasany family’s lives have taken a completely different course since DEEP and Al-Fakhoora intervened. The family has managed to move itself from poverty.

Khaldeya concluded:

“This project makes me and my entire family comfortable financially, which reduces so much worry and stress. My family feel connected again. We can continue to live with dignity and that’s a great feeling.”


Guest speakers: Selma Dabbagh

In a new initiative to encourage more written accounts of the experiences of the students living in the blockade, we have been thrilled to host two international authors, both of whom have provided a large question and answer session in Doha’s Education City, after hosting a virtual workshop with our students in Gaza, and participating in the Virtual Majlis.

Selma’s recently published novel, ‘Out of It’ (Bloomsbury, 2011) bears a special significance for the Al Fakhoora students for numerous reasons. Gaza is the main location for the novel, with other sections based in London and the Gulf, and the two central characters of the novel are also young, like the students, and negotiating their feelings towards the mounting political situation around them.

The students’ interest in Selma’s choice of Gaza as a location for the novel was immediately evident, and if there had been fears of the students feeling territorial, there needn’t have been! It was moving and hugely satisfying for the author to know that the students felt only curiosity, and pride, at her use of Gaza; a wonderful reaction from what Selma called one of her “most important audiences,” for this reason.

Selma was very impressed by the questions that were posed by the students, and the level of engagement and wider reading the students enjoyed, which included writers such as VS Naipaul and Nadine Gordimer, despite the difficulties with importing reading material into Gaza due to the illegal blockade.

When asked about the difficulty of melding factual representation of an aged political struggle, with a narrative that remains engaging and paced, she had some good advice.

She explained to the group the effectiveness of using narrative devices when action is set in a political situation that the reader may be unfamiliar with. Describing a long-standing cultural or political situation, like the blockade in Gaza, and all the physical representations of this, from the checkpoints to the shortage of electricity, can be tricky to intersperse in the narrative without it sounding unnatural.

Selma left the group with a number of recommendations for further reading, tailored to her different students and based on their questions and the interests they had.

Selma’s parting message of, “you are not alone”, resonated with the students, who found the session hugely uplifting and informative.

We look forward to her next visit to us, and to the thoughts on the students’ Edublog entries!

Al Fakhoora Feature stories

The students have been making the most of the CISCo technology and have connected with authors Selma Dabbagh and Susan Abulhawa for Amir workshop writing.


Guest speakers: Susan Abulhawa

International bestselling author Susan Abdulhawa visited us in Doha on March 27th to host our second guest-author writing workshop with Gaza students.

The workshop took the scheduling of the weekly Virtual Majlis with Gaza and ran for 90 minutes before the standard weekly meeting. Again, Susan’s visit provided a wonderful, interactive learning experience for our budding writers and linguists.

These sessions prove to be inspiring as well as educational for the students, as they cover narrative as well as communication. Individuals might be more interested in personal expression, developing their fiction writing skills and styles, or simply improving their English vocabulary.

Susan has also come up against political frustrations, as her book was halted in its publicity trail due to sensitivities surrounding the content. Being of Palestinian descent, Susan’s parents were refugees of the 1967 war, and she based the plot of her novel ‘Mornings in Jenin’ around the town of Ein Hod. The personal references in Susan’s writing was very valuable to the students just as it was with our first visiting author Selma Dabbagh. This really helps to create a common ground and connection between the author and students.

The dialogue and interview skills that are developed through these sessions are also useful for the students, as they are required to use skills of diplomacy, expression and empathy.

Without exception, each student felt buoyed and inspired by the meeting and clearer on how to negotiate an audience when grappling with sensitive subject matter.

As a keepsake from the experience, visiting authors sign a poster for the students that we then send to them in Gaza. Susan added the touching message;

“With so much love and admiration. Keep writing, keep loving and keep living”.

Land Day online Campaign

Inspired by Land Day, which is commemorated by Palestinians all over the world every year on the 30th March, we launched a campaign that asks supporters to “Tweet your Feet!” (on Twitter) or “Show us your Shoes!” (on Facebook).

Land Day marks a day in 1976 that saw the Israeli government take thousands of dunams of land from the Palestinian people, for ‘security and settlement purposes’.

Land Day marks the deaths of those that protested against the aggression of the Israeli government and militia on that day, and reminds the world of the human right to protest without fear.

The catalyst for the actions of that day was, and remains today, tension over land and heritage.

Our campaign understands the importance of heritage, history and belonging and asks our followers and supporters to consider how these ideas and feelings occur in their own lives.

We asked our friends to photograph their feet, and tell us where they were and why standing on that ground meant something to them as a reminder that we all have a right to stand without fear; that there is a space for everyone, and nobody can remove a person’s sense of belonging and connection to their homeland.


For those living in politically sensitive parts of the world, to those lucky enough to walk without any fear in their hometowns, we want to celebrate and commemorate the land we each stand on, as a peaceful statement of where we belong.

The concept is fun and engaging, easy to get involved with, and simple to generate content for. But, most of all, the central theme of belonging and territory is so evocative of the larger situation, that students in Gaza particularly have felt compelled and moved to offer their photo and statement.

We plan to pool the images and text into a great piece of web content that will act like a record in the future and a different way of showing support for Palestine.

Gaza students mark Land DayWhile our communications team launched the international online campaign inspired by Land Day, students on the ground in Gaza planted olive trees to mark the day.

50 students travelled to Ezbet Abed Raboo; the main area used by the Israeli military activities during the Cast Lead Operation back in 2008. During the attacks, the Israeli military uprooted hundreds of trees and destroyed many houses. This area was chosen for the destruction it has experienced and as a symbol of recovery.

The students enjoyed the symbolism, and community spirit, of the event and called for more solid participation in national events.


Dynamic Futuresscholarship programThe Dynamic Futures program currently provides a full academic grant for a student’s period of degree-level study. We continue to develop our empowerment program to ensure that our students are characterized by a unique set of skills in advocacy, leadership, communications and social media proficiency.

Al Fakhoora seeks to identify unique partnerships with innovators in these fields, which are unfolding on the ground to great effect!

Using online resources or face-to-face sessions; the Dynamic Futures international team pool their talents, skills and knowledge to create a varied and colourful program of lectures, activities and experiences for our students.

The advocacy element of the program incorporates classes in leadership skills, media, film, writing, online discussions with international friends, human rights and English language classes.

Once they possess knowledge of their human rights, good understanding of others and the skills of clear communication and expression, these activities instil a sense of power for the students.

FIG 5 //

scholaRships

Pledged

Awarded

1,200LEADERS STRONG

300


Meet Zuhdi Elfranji undergraduate success story

Zuhdi has been attending the Virtual Majlis this semester and has played a key role in the dialogue delivering a sound and mature narration of the situation in Gaza. As Gaza suffered the worst power shortage recorded over the past two months, Zuhdi felt the Virtual Majlis gave him the space to advocate for youth in Gaza, who have experienced unjustifiable hardships as a result of the blockade and the war.

“Over the past 10 weeks, I have felt a change in my approach to the subject and to my thinking. My line of questioning has changed and my ability to reflect has also undergone a transformation. I am amazed at how deep the conversations on the Virtual Majlis are, and I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of such a thought-provoking project. I have also made some unique friendships as a result of programs that are designed to encourage critical

thinking. This has been a great opportunity to practice and improve my English too.”

Zuhdi said he will encourage more students to take part in the Virtual Majlis and he has also been active in his use of Social Media. “I have learnt not to judge things immediately. At first I was not very impressed with the Land Day campaign, but when I stood there ready to take a photo of my shoes, I realized how significant this small act was and how trying to find a place to stand and represent a person is so difficult for some. This campaign creates a powerful understanding of how difficult it is to be where we are, and, at times, to be who we are.”

Zuhdi is a third year student of medicine at the Islamic University of Gaza. He was awarded the Al Fakhoora Scholarship after scoring 98.2% on his Tawjihee exams. He is eager to become a surgeon and hopes to go to oxford Medical School in the UK to specialize.

This campaign creates a powerful understanding of how difficult it is to be where we are, and, at times, to be who we are

– Zuhdi Elfranji

“


Furkan Dogan Medicine ScholarshipIn May 2010, the six ships of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla set sail to break the blockade on Gaza. Furkan Dogan was the 19 year old Turkish man aboard the ‘ Turkish Mavi Marmara’ when Israeli forces raided the ship, killing nine passengers. Sadly, Furkan was one of those killed.

Dogan wanted to study medicine and it is in honor of his dream to become a doctor that Al Fakhoora’s scholarship for medicine was named after him.

Eleven Gaza students were thrilled to be the first recipients of the Furkan Dogan Scholarship this year. Ihab Saleh was one of the recipients and scored 99.1 per cent in his Tawjeehi exams; the fourth highest score across Gaza for the official high school exams. He has since been accepted into the Islamic University of Gaza.

“I hope to become a surgeon and have my eyes set on neurosurgery at Cambridge University in the UK,” said Ihab.

Another lucky recipient is Maysoon Al Haindawi, who scored an incredible 98.2 per cent in her final exams.

“I am not only honored to receive the Fakhoora scholarship, but I also feel a responsibility to carry out Furkan Dogan’s dream and make sure his nobility is never forgotten.”

Maysoon, who was always referred to as ‘the doctor’ in her family, was also accepted at the Islamic University of Gaza and hopes to specialize in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Yousef Ahmed Ghazali, another excited recipient, plans to specialize in Urology:

Al Fakhoora recently completed the reconstruction and full refurbishment of two science labs at the Islamic University of Gaza, which means our very own students too will benefit from new and improved facilities and a far better educational experience.

“The new facilities and the overall attempts to ensure we have access to better education creates healthy competition amongst students and definitely encourages everyone to achieve the best that they can,” said Yosef.

I hope to become a surgeon and have my eyes set on neurosurgery at Cambridge University in the UK

– Ihab Saleh

“


International Masters video project This project aims to record the experiences of the students from Gaza, while they are living and studying abroad. In this year’s intake, five post-graduates made their way to Europe, with four residing in the UK, whom effusion, our communications agency in London, plan to visit for the first video diary sessions.

The video diaries will be filmed in London, Brighton, York and Norwich by acclaimed filmmakers Remigiusz and Anna Sowa. The film will take in the day-to-day experiences of life and study in a western culture, using footage of the surrounding community and interviews with the students on their experiences.

The film will also include footage from, and co-operation with, a number of Gaza filmakers to incorporate archive and current footage from the region.

We hope that we can reflect accurately the students’ UK experiences of the trials of hard study and the tribulations of living with access to all the resources to make study possible. Aside from this, their determination and dedication to study is admirable and we’re keen to convey and celebrate this too!

When complete, we hope to feature the footage on the Al Fakhoora website, to inspire other students in their academic aspirations and as a celebration of this fantastic experience. In years to come, these records will be wonderful to look back on and will serve as a reminder of Al Fakhoora’s accomplishments!

We hope that we can reflect accurately the students’ UK experiences of the trials of hard study and the tribulations of living with access to all the resources to make study possible.


Advocacy and the Empowerment Program

Virtual Majlis launched in London

The London Virtual Majlis group launched on the 15th March at the University of Westminster, in Central London.

Led by the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and project managed by Amena Saleem, a core group of 8 students from across London have now begun their weekly meetings with our students in Gaza.

These students have come into contact with the PSC via their active participation in support of Palestine within university societies, clubs and events.

Questions are pre-prepared and each member of the VM is included as the format takes an individual turn-taking to ensure everyone’s participation. The themes centre around the difficulty of study in such a challenging context, and exchanging accounts of everyday life.

The students in the London VM group are scheduled to take part in our Edublogs project and submit blog accounts to the Fakhoora website; representing a UK viewpoint and offering their support.

London VM students left their feedback on Facebook:

“This project has been amazing. We’re finding out so much about life in Gaza, which our students can’t wait to go out and share on their campuses - spreading the message and raising awareness. And it’s lovely talking to the wonderful students in Gaza - a real privilege. I hope they’re getting as much from this as we are.”

Amena Saleem

“Waiting for the conversation to begin was a little tense because we had some technical issues to deal with on our end. However it didn’t compare to their difficulties as they only have around 6 hours of electricity per day so we weren’t sure if they’d even be there on the other end of the line especially considering Gaza had been bombed the weekend before.”

Maryam Saleem

Here’s an update on the advocacy activities that our students have been enjoying, and developing skills in, recently.


VM London quotes continued

“As their image flickered onto our screen it felt pretty unbelievable that we’d actually managed to establish a connection with one of the most unreachable places in the world. It was so special to hear their stories first hand.”

Hanan Ak

“Thursday held another inspiring discussion with the students in Gaza. Talking about various issues regarding the national media and also the economy of Gaza helped me understand what we in the West truly need to do if we desire our brothers and sisters to live in a “Free Palestine”. The goal to work towards is clear but it is a long one, though, inshallah, one day we will get there.”

Selin Arta

Leadership

Student Election CommitteeEarlier this year we launched a Student Committee initiative as a way of improving knowledge skills and practices of good governance and also as a means of representation.

The students have been asked to volunteer to form a Student Election Committee, which will develop a Student’s Constitution for elections, and the establishment of a Student’s Parliament, an Advisory Committee and a Student’s Union.

During the last three months, a group of 12 students led events and discussions establishing the details of the Student’s Constitution. It was decided that the number of members of the Parliament will be 10% of the total number of scholars. This academic year, 2012/2013, the 300 students will elect 30 students to represent their parliament. 15 of them will act as representatives of their universities, and 15 as representatives of the 3 geographical areas of Gaza Strip. It was also agreed that the elected individuals will include 50% men, 50% women, and two scholars with special needs.

Elections will take place in June of this year.

The activities have been carried out in accordance with an established action plan. Different activities and new partnerships has been developed, most notably a partnership is flourishing with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, based in the UK. Further partnerships are planned for development, with local and international organizations to advance this component.


Fakhoora.org With the blockade crippling movement into and out of Gaza, ‘fakhoora.org’ is of vital importance to link blockaded students to the outside world.

Fakhoora.org is fuelled by Effusion, a UK-based social media and advocacy consultancy that develops, designs and creates platforms for students demanding a global voice. This partnership ensures that students across the world are given the tools to take action to defend education, and ultimately end the illegal blockade that has deterred the natural progress of the youth in Gaza that strive to claim their place in the global arena.

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and Flickr, are used regularly to support and allow advocacy in the communication of ideas and thoughts, and the promotion of new and ongoing projects as well as to support various campaigns.

Regular news updates keep the content on the website fresh and relevant to returning site visitors, while clear descriptions of our various projects communicate our ethos, work and goals succinctly.

We produced an eye-catching and evocative piece of print work with Effusion, which we distribute at events, and we are in the process of planning and designing further web and print work to support our campaign.

We also understand that we must maintain an eye-catching brand identity, with modern functionality online to ensure our work is given the attention that it needs in a global sphere, and Effusion’s consultancy is vital in delivering this and keeping our site visitors loyal.


EdublogsOur international blog network has been launched!

We have been working with student groups across the world to establish a network of keen bloggers to report and reflect on the situation unfolding in Gaza, and reflect on solutions and ideas for progress.

Groups in Gaza, the UK, the USA and Qatar are already busily reporting and sharing thoughts, with more countries set to get involved soon.

Offering regular commitment to the situation by writing brings support to everyone involved, and will provide a central hub to express opinions, thoughts and ideas to an interested audience who know where to go to get tailored information from individuals with real connections to the events on the ground in Gaza.

It also provides a wide and varied readership, with followers and site visitors able to enjoy a variety of written styles, and learn more from the writers that resonate with them most.

More than WordsThe Virtual Majlis initiative has led to further programs which join our students in Gaza with students enrolled in Penn State University (PSU).

More Than Words was created to provide our students in Gaza with the practical opportunity to improve their conversational skills in English. Each week, 17 students from Gaza partner up with a PSU student online, where they speak English together.

Due to the power cuts that Gaza has suffered from over the past few months, the students in Gaza have struggled with keeping up their MTW schedules, but they have taken the conversation on to social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

Devon Jacobs, the project coordinator at PSU is responsible for partnering the students up, and follows up on their progress and timekeeping says:

“Despite the challenges faced in communicating online as much as we would like, the students in Gaza report that they are still able to learn a lot from the class and the experience. Both sides of the conversation express frustration in not being able to get in touch more easily, but I am continually impressed with how they use this struggle as a reminder to appreciate what we take for granted here in the US, and to appreciate the strength of the people in Gaza. We have spent a lot of time in class discussing empathy, reading articles on Gaza, discussing active listening and connecting with people.”

Andrew Luettgan, a PSU student speaking with Msallam Abu Khalil from Gaza said:

“More Than Words has been a very intriguing learning experience on many levels. Being able to connect with a student of a completely different culture on the opposite side of the world is only the beginning of why this class has meant so much to me. Things we’ve done in the classroom have taught me how to replace cheap and repetitive conversation among friends, family, and acquaintances with deeper and more intimate conversation. It has helped me build stronger bonds with many of the people I talk to or meet on a regular basis. It taught me not just how to be a better listener, but also how to better understand what people are saying and where they’re coming from. I learned how to be a communicator. It has taught me to empathize with other people’s ideas and thoughts. This new found ability to engage in more effective conversation on a daily basis has enabled me to collect more ideas from the people around me. I use these new ideas to shape the way I live, and will continue to do that into the future. It’s like a tool that will always give me the ability to keep learning. And the fact that I can use that tool to learn from a student on the other side of the world is awesome.”

He added:

“Talking with my partner, Msallam, has showed me that people from around the world are just as interested in learning about me as I am in learning about them. This is such a great incentive to seek out the opportunity to connect with other people. And when I do learn more about him and his culture, I take that information, bring it to the More Than Words class, and converge it with my classmates’ ideas to dig deeper into what we can get from these conversations. It shows you that conversation should be, and is, more than just words.”


Health and Wellness Services An update on infrastructure and expertise development in our projects which tackle learning difficulties

The right to education is not the exclusive right of one person over another, and it is unrelated to physical or mental capability. In our pledge to service all the youth in Gaza with access to education, we are committed to providing students with disabilities with access to our programs. Our efforts for social integration have led us to partnership and collaborations with NGOs and entities that have ‘on the ground’ experience of empowering the disabled and providing them with essential services.

The $5 million program, will benefit 50,000 people suffering from disabilities. Moreover, eleven organizations that provide services to this category will benefit from the scope of the projects thanks to improvements in training, equipment and construction.

The scope of the work includes:

— Upgrading the physiotherapy department at the University College of Applied Sciences and Al Ahli Hospital

— Establishing a new rehabilitation department in Al Amal Hospital

— Capacity building of physiotherapists within specific specialties

— A psychosocial support program for 8-14 year olds at the Palestine Red Crescent Society Play Center

— Capacity building of staff working as mental health professionals

— Audio-logical screening of pre-school students and plans for ophthalmological services

— Research into the current status of disability in the region

Facilities and staffing for physical disability

Upgrading the Physiotherapy department at the University College of Applied Sciences and Al Ahli Hospital:

The project includes equipping a new state of the art physiotherapy lab to be available for physiotherapy students of the college. The project is making steady progress and a biomedical engineer is overseeing the technical components of the project to ensure the technical specifications requested are achieved.

Establishing a new rehabilitation department in Al Amal hospital:

The 12-month project will deliver reconstruction work and provide medical rehabilitative equipment, furniture, IT support and staff training. Upon taking on this project, Al Fakhoora is implementing partners have conducted field visits to further understand and evaluate the needs of the hospital. Hospital staff and patients have been interviewed to evaluate the future impact of the project and its sustainability potential.


Capacity building of physiotherapists within specific specialties:

In association with the Palestinian Physiotherapy Association, Al Fakhoora will select 20 physiotherapists to receive a local introductory ‘TOT’, or ‘Training of Trainers’ session. Eight of the participants will then participate in an advanced training course. Upon completing their training, the qualified trainers will be assigned to groups of 10 physiotherapists to be trained in eight specific specialties.

The 20 physiotherapists assigned to the first level of training have been selected, and have completed their training. Simultaneously, training institutes in Egypt have been visited to help identify the best offers. The trainers are expected to begin their training in Egypt this April.

Steady progress has been made to provide medical equipment, furniture and medical disposables to establish a high quality diabetic foot center at Al-Wafaa Hospital. This will include an in-patient department and two daily clinic units. Furniture requirements and medical equipment bids have been determined and contracting is expected this month.

Facilities and staffing for psychological supportPsychosocial support program for 8-14 year olds at the Palestine Red Crescent Society Play Center in Gaza:

This project includes a center where entertainment and skill-enhancing activities are provided. Children will have access to a theatre where they can watch animated movies and relax. The Play Center will also house a library and a ‘sports corner’ activity area. Al Fakhoora has pledged to cover the center’s running costs for one year.

Al Fakhoora and the Palestine Red Crescent Society are working on implementing a PSP contingency plan that will act as a guide for emergency action and response when needed. This will offer clear instructions on the roles and responsibilities of various actors and articulate the needs of vulnerable categories during emergency situations. As its implementing partner on the ground, QRC conducts frequent filed visits to evaluate progress and trainee satisfaction on behalf of Al Fakhoora.

Capacity building of staff working in mental health and PSP services:

43 medical staff, including doctors and nurses, and 42 psychosocial workers have been selected to receive training for a mental health and psychosocial support program to partner with the Gaza Community for Mental Health Program (GCMPH). The program will build capacity on two major areas.

Two 60-hour theoretical training sessions will provide 60 professionals with 3 months of training at GCMHP centers. Three partner NGOs will then provide the trainees with supervised access to 100 severe cases to be transferred to these centers.

40 recent graduates of medicine and nursing will be trained to detect mental health problems, treat mild to moderate cases, and be able to refer patients to more specialized services if needed. Following 60 hours of theoretical training and 18 practical assessments, with case discussion and supervision, the trainees will also receive the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Global Action Program manual.

In Al Fakhoora’s bid to contribute to the integration and wellness of children with disabilities, it has partnered with the Palestinian Medical Relief Society to provide a program that includes entertainment and educational activities for this category. The program has been designed to allow children with disabilities with an opportunity to integrate with able-bodied children through various recreational activities and play programs. The program also features activities for ‘mother and child’ and creates a strong public awareness campaign. This program is 75% complete and mothers have applauded the efforts to integrate their children in mainstream activities.

292 participants (139 children and 153 mothers) have attended the 45 sessions from November to January. A further 15 sessions were introduced in Feb-March in which 146 children took part in PSP sessions, bringing the total to 399 children and 403 women.


Hearing and vision support

Audio-logical screening of preschool students and plans for ophthalmological services:

Atfaluna Society is working with Al Fakhoora on an audiological screening of preschool children.

Approximately 10,350 under 5 year olds in Gaza, will be screened for early hearing problem detection.

Diagnosed children will be provided with the necessary attention.

Children who suffer from hearing loss will be enrolled the Atfaluna’s rehabilitation program which offers hearing aid fittings. The program also aims to create more awareness and counseling services to the families of hearing impaired children, and the community in general.

The technical specifications for the required medical equipment have been determined.

To date 2216 children have been screened, 379 of which have been found to suffer from hearing problems. 33 of this number will receive advanced screening tests.

Al Fakhoora is collaborating with the Ministry of Health in Gaza to set up an advanced ophthalmic department with top quality surgical equipment, to provide better quality interventions.

Research into the current status of disability in the regionCommissioned by Al Fakhoora and supervised by QRC, the Palestinian Central Bureau for Statistics will conduct a survey to collect data on the numbers, needs and conditions of disabled individuals in Gaza.

This project has seen the establishment of a steering committee of stakeholders in the field of disability, which includes local governmental and non-governmental bodies, as well as international organizations such as the WHO, ICRC and Handicap International (HI).

The steering committee has held meetings to launch the project officially and determine the role of the committee. PCBS’s action plan has been reviewed by the committee, and has also assessed the collection tools proposed.

Personnel conducting the survey will receive the required training in May. The training will cover the definition and classification of different types of disability and the appropriate methods of data collection. The database will include information on distribution, services available, and gaps on individual and regional basis. This will allow for rational planning in the field of disability and will provide a much needed baseline for evaluation of future disability programs. Upon its completion the results will be disseminated and made available to the public.

There has been no such study conducted in Gaza before and we look forward to gathering this data and using it to inform the most effective and needed advances in the region.


New PartnershipsEducational InstitutionsThanks to partnerships with educational institutions in the region, we are able to offer grants for study, use of facilities for the empowerment strand of our Dynamic Futures program and the opportunity to build valuable relationships with like-minded organisations.

We are pleased to think that our connections encompass a variety of colleges and universities so that we can offer a thorough range of facilities, experiences and support to the young people of Gaza and the West Bank.

Al Aqsa University Al-Aqsa University consists of seven faculties including the Faculty of Arts, Sciences, Education, Media, Fine Arts, Physical Education, Administration and Financial Studies and is the sole academic institution in the vicinity that is able to offer bachelor degrees in the fields of media studies, fine arts and physical education.

Al Azhar UniversityAl Azhar aims to offer human resources in scientific research and sustainable development, with a constant focus on the use of modern technologies and techniques, combined with the originality of Palestinian, Arabic and Muslim heritage.

An-Najah UniversityAn-Najah specializes in scientific subject teaching, preparing young people with the skills and attitudes to tackle an international job market and realize their potential in a scientific industry, as well as support the Palestinian community.

Al Quds open UniversityWith a focus on the philosophy, principles and methods of open education, Al Quds maintains a freedom of thought and expression while avoiding ideological or political conflicts. The university offers MA and BA qualifications, delivering teaching using a mixture of printed, visual, audio, computerized and electronic resources.

Birzeit UniversitySupervised by a board of trustees, Birzeit University endeavors to excel in higher education, scientific research and service to the community. The university operates in an atmosphere of liberalism, alongside an emphasis on Arab-Islamic heritage.

University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS): This college focuses on applied sciences with a dream of equipping Palestine and the rest of the region, with highly qualified and skillful professionals to build a modernized state.

Islamic University of Gaza This university offers a wealth of qualifications in all kinds of subjects and disciplines; drawing researchers and teachers from all areas and always offering well-planned programs.


Human Rights

We also work with human Rights’ and development groups which lend us the expertise and support that allow our work to continue in the most effective and lasting ways that it can.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign ProjectDuring March, an agreement was signed with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to engage UK students with Al-Fakhoora scholars in a variety of virtual and real communication activities.

The weekly Virtual Majlis between Gaza and London students will be conducted by the PSC over a 12 week period, using the University of Westminster as a base for students from universities across London to meet.

Many of these UK group members have a vested interest, or passionate dedication to the Palestinian struggle, and one element of the arrangement with PSC is to ensure these young people, and many more, have the knowledge and understanding to benefit most from it. Student advocates in the UK will be taught and instilled with knowledge on the Palestinian right to education, to go on and raise awareness of Al Fakhoora’s work amongst the student body.

There will be four sessions focussing on Social Media, and the PSC will teach and advise the Gaza students on the best ways of engaging with these tools for fast and effective results in their campaigns.

A stall at the three-day National Union of Students conference in Sheffield, UK, will advertise and promote the work of Al Fakhoora, in a fantastic opportunity to reach up to 2,000 students. Al-Fakhoora post graduate Rania Al-Najjar will be present to answer questions and share her experiences.

In the National Union of Black Students’ conference, the PSC will provide a speaker to talk about Al Fakhoora’s work, and in particular, the advocacy project, for which they have created very strong Facebook and Twitter profiles for in the UK.

Three of the Virtual Majlis sessions have been conducted with the participation of four students, led by Abdul Rahim Mahallawi as a Facilitator, who is currently receiving training from a Penn State University, USA, facilitation program. He has proved to be an excellent facilitator.

The sessions are already underway, and the responses to them have been very good according to both British and Gaza participants, and especially in the UK participant accounts featured in the PSC newsletters.

Empowerment Program Partners

We have a number of international friends that offer their time, expertise and support to our Empowerment program, within ‘Dynamic Futures’, in various ways.

CISCo Generously work with us to provide the technology that we need to communicate with groups in Gaza, and also to facilitate the Virtal Majlis sessions.

World in ConversationThis online communication organization aims to create a dialogue about social and cultural issues that expand perspectives and invite greater understanding between groups.

Penn State UniversityThis multi-campus university provides teaching, research and service to a diverse western collegiate. We continue to foster good relationships with members of the student body, particularly within our Virtual Majlis program.


Financial Support

We are endlessly grateful to a number of kind donors and benefactors, some of whom prefer to remain anonymous, that support the work of Al Fakhoora.

Islamic Development BankWe work with the IBD and continue to appreciate their dedication to the economic development and social progress of member countries and Muslim communities.

Practical SupportPartners with a more practical function ‘on the ground’ in Gaza are crucial in providing that all-important ‘hands-on’ support, service or research during the occupation and within the blockade.

yMCA GazaAs the oldest and largest youth charity in the world, YMCA are an established and trustworthy organization that we rely on for safety, shelter and support for the young people of Gaza.

Qatar Red Crescent and Palestinian Red CrescentThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization; providing assistance without discrimination at all times. We are working closely with this organisation both in Qatar and Palestine, to monitor the development of Palestinian universities in our Reconstruction Program.

Healthcare Providers

We have links with a number of hospitals in Gaza, and with the majority of citizens in Gaza living in refugee camps; hospital care is absolutely crucial, as well as sought after. These institutions also cooperate with Al Fakhoora in our Disability and Psychosocial Program ‘Health and Wellness Services’.

Al Ahli Hospital GazaEstablished for well over 100 years, this hospital became an Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in 1982 and continues to provide medical and surgical care to the Gaza Strip.

Al Amal Hospital GazaThis similarly busy establishment aims to serve the area with high-quality healthcare despite the difficulties surrounding the occupation and the pressure of a crisis on resources and staff.

Al Faluna Society PalestineAl Faluna is an organization that provides support, treatment and practical aid for victims of hearing loss and impairment in the region. The bombings in Palestine have affected huge swaths of residents and Al Faluna is a crucial component of the healthcare provided in Gaza.

The Palestinian Physiotherapy Association (PPTA)The Palestinian Physical Therapy Association (PPTA) is a national non-profit organization representing all Physical Therapists working in the Palestinian territories.

Gaza Community Mental HealthThe GCMH is a knowledge-based institution that strives to empower vulnerable children, women and torture survivors by developing local resources and health services. The GCMH also aims to combat the stigma attached to mental illness.


Medical And Wellbeing organisation

Aside from healthcare providers operating in the region, we rely on the work, advice, guidance and partnership that advisory organizations lend to our work.

Palestinian Medical Relief Society This is a grassroots community-based Palestinian health organization that seeks to aid the fractured and damaged health service in Gaza and the West Bank by educating and empowering Palestinian people using national health programs. This non-profit and voluntary organization is one of the largest health Non-Governmental Organisations in Palestine.

Islamic Relief WorldwideFounded and based in the UK, IRW is an NGO of consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and is a member of the Islamic Council for Relief. Islamic Relief works to help and empower the poor, regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender, with programmes focused on extending emergency relief, contributing to sustainable development and investing in child welfare.

Islamic Relief PalestineIRPAL is an affiliate of Islamic Relief Worldwide and have responded to emergencies, supported the poor, and invested in sustainable development since 1998.They are dedicated to eradicating poverty, alleviating suffering in Palestine and respecting the humanity and dignity of Palestinians. They provide relief, development and child welfare services.


Fakhoora.orgPO Box no.34000,Education City, Doha, Qatarfakhoora.org

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