The family sponsorship program is at the heart of TAKAFUL's work. Through Family Sponsorship, you have the ability to
help alleviate the suffering of impoverished families in Gaza Strip, Palestine, and show solidarity to those who are impacted
the most by the dire humanitarian crisis.
Family sponsorship is a community development initiative that aims to
change lives by delivering long-lasting, self-sustaining improvements to help lift generations out of poverty. Your sponsorship
will empower parents and children caught in the cycle of poverty.
With your support, you are giving your
sponsored family the option of sustaining essential life needs, including food, health, and education.
Your
own family will experience the joy of building bridges with your sponsored family as you begin to build a relationship with
them. Your children will learn invaluable lessons about caring, sharing and selfless kindness.
What
is the Family to Family Sponsorship Program?
You and your family would financially sponsor a family in a Palestinian
refugee camp, primarily in Gaza Strip and Lebanon, on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis.
Are my donations safe?
You should feel secure about helping Palestinian families through TAKAFUL, the Palestinian
Refugee Support Network. We are a project of the Working Families Relief Fund, a California-based organization. Our tax-exempt
status in the United States is currently pending approval. We have been providing support to families in Gaza and Lebanon
since 2007 with the support of fiscal sponsors.
Donating to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and Lebanon
is safe and legal. We work with recognized, independent partners. Hanan and Al-Khalsa are independent non-governmental organizations
that have worked with and received financing from major international institutions, and engage in the strictest accounting
practices, ensuring that your donations go directly to support needy families. All monies are disbursed fully in accordance
with all U.S. laws and regulations.
How much does a family need?
An Al-Karmel Cultural Association
- Gaza assessment states that a family needs $200 per month to minimally survive poverty and siege. The $100 provided by a
family sponsorship will allow the family to cope partially, and allow us to bring assistance to more families.
How long will my sponsorship last?
Your sponsorship can last several months or many years. The goal of the
Family Sponsorship Project is to bring your sponsored family and their community to health and self-reliance so they can step
confidently into the future and survive the hard conditions under siege, under occupation and in exile. The campaign will
continue to expand to serve other communities in desperate need of help. You will be given the opportunity to sponsor a different
family in a new community when your sponsored family becomes self-sufficient.
How do I contact my sponsored
family?
Once you become a sponsor, we will provide you with contact information for the family if they have
their own telephone. Otherwise, Hanan Association will arrange for an appointment for you to speak to the family at their
offices. You will also be able to write letters to the families, and receive letters back from them. Please contact us to
make a connection with your sponsored family.
Gaza Reconstruction Project
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Hanan Association is launching a project to reconstruct 25 homes of the poorest families in the Gaza Strip. These
homes were deeply damaged during the war on Gaza and have not yet been reconstructed, leaving families homeless, in unsustainable
crowded conditions with family, or in unsafe structures. 5000 housing units were completely destroyed during the attack on
Gaza and 50,000 housing units were partially damaged; 50% of them are so heavily damaged as to be unsuitable for living.
Hanan Association's project plans to reconstruct 5 totally damaged houses and 20 partially damaged houses, in order
to return about 170 people from the shelters to their homes and their normal life.
Background information:
Prior to the war on Gaza which began on December 27, 2008, Gaza’s emergency and human situation was already overstretched
and under-supported. Between December 27, 2008 and January 18, 2009 1366 were killed and over 5380 injured, including 1870
children and 800 women. Gaza’s infrastructure was severely damaged, causing fuel shortages and damage to transportation
structures throughout the Gaza Strip. This damage has remained unrepaired in many cases, despite aid, due to the near-total
closure of Gaza that has prevented the flow of crucial supplies.
The project is estimated to cost a total of $850,000
and take six months to complete. When international agencies assessed the financial tally of the destruction in Gaza, they
assigned a value of $200 for 1 square meter for the totally damaged houses.
| Item | Details | Cost |
Reconstruction of 5 totally damaged homes
| 5 homes, 750 sq. meters * $200 USD/sq. meter | $750,000 |
Reconstruction of 20 partially damaged homes
| 20 homes, 100 sq.meters
of damage * $50 USD/sq. meter
| $100,000 |
| Total | | $850,000 |
$30 donation helps to support an Al-Awda back-to-school bag and school tools for a Palestinian refugee child.
Education
has been a pillar in the lives of the Palestinian people, especially for kids living in refugee camps whose education can
bring improvement in the living conditions of their families.
Notebooks, pencils, pens, schoolbags, and art creation
supplies are the school tools every child needs. With your contribution of $30, you can secure one bag with essential school
supplies for a child.
