Message from Naomi Shihab Nye “The right to learn and imagine”

Children reading new books that MECA staff shipped to Gaza from the West Bank

Dear Friend of MECA,

As you may know, I am a Palestinian-American writer and teacher. I am also, like you, a supporter of the Middle East Children’s Alliance and I’m writing you now to ask you to join me this Giving Tuesday in supporting children’s deep desire to learn.

For many years I have had the honor of teaching children in Palestine, online and in person. They are some of the most beautiful children I have ever seen or listened to. Heroes on earth, they survive regular episodes of horrible wholesale violence against their communities, home and school demolitions, massacres of family members and teachers, neighbors and friends.

And somehow these children never seem to complain.

Of course, children must have healthy food and clean water to survive and MECA provides both. But I think you understand that children need more to grow up with the strength to face their difficult lives and the knowledge to imagine and create the free country they long for.

That’s why I’m writing to you now to ask you to make a special Giving Tuesday donation to support four of MECA’s wonderful education projects that are changing the lives of young people who are living in dire circumstances:

Scholarships for Palestinian university students so they can obtain degrees, and the skills to make important contributions to their families, their communities, and their country
Three branches of the Edward Said Public Library, which hold thousands of books in Arabic and English, regular workshops for writers and teachers, English language classes, visits for school children, and creative activities for all ages
The Child Labor Project, which offers counseling and academic support for young people who have been forced out of school and into dangerous and exploitive work by Israel’s economic devastation of Gaza
A special school in Lebanon for children who fled the war in Syria but can’t attend local schools because of unaffordable fees, bureaucratic regulations, or outright discrimination

Make a special Giving Tuesday donation to support four of MECA’s wonderful education projects that are changing the lives of young people who are living in dire circumstances

Donate now

Long ago, I learned about the work of MECA and visited their headquarters in Berkeley, participating in a poet fundraiser for their good supportive works. Always MECA has labored hard and inspired so many people like you who support the organization.

Please make a Giving Tuesday contribution to MECA to support the bright lives of young people, who may be able to solve many world problems we have not solved.

Help give them the joy and knowledge they deserve. They already have the hope.

Thank you.

In solidarity,