MECA 2017 Annual Report • With 30th Anniversary Highlights

From the Director

Dear Friend of MECA,

Last June when I spoke to Mona (Dr. Mona El-Farra, MECA Gaza Projects
Director) she sounded desperate. I hadn’t heard her sound so distressed
since the 2014 Israeli assault on Gaza. Electricity in Gaza was available
only a few hours each day—down from the “normal” ten to twelve hours.
Children, still filled with fear from living through one, two, or three Israeli
assaults, were terrified of the dark. As summer grew hotter and hotter,
fans stopped working. And cell phones, one of the only ways people could
stay in touch, ran out of charge.
I can’t imagine living this way. On top of the siege that has kept people
trapped in Gaza and kept basic necessities out for more than ten years.
Unemployment reaching new heights. People being shot at the borders.
Bombs falling with no warning. I asked myself what can MECA do about
the new electricity crisis. And before I could figure it out, the answer came
from the people on the ground. A group of young engineers in Gaza de-
signed a small household system that could be charged in an hour or two,
provides electricity for up to twelve hours, and included three lights, a fan,
and a cell phone charger. MECA staff in Gaza immediately began installing
them in the homes of the most vulnerable families. We call this new proj-
ect “Gaza Lights.”
In 2017, a little bit of Palestine, of MECA’s work, came to the U.S. In March,
MECA brought eighteen young dancers and hip-hop performers from the
Shoruq (“Sunrise”) Organization in Dheisheh refugee camp. People from
California to New Jersey heard the voices of Palestinian refugee children
and learned about their lives and their culture. The young Palestinians
visited high schools and universities where they exchanged stories about
their lives, political struggles, and dance steps with U.S. students.
In December, Dr. Mona came to the Bay Area where she spoke to several
groups and MECA supporters about the difficulty of life in Gaza and the
dignity people maintain in spite of all the injustice. She shared her own
grueling months-long effort to leave Gaza to visit her daughter in the UK,
and the struggle she would face to return.
I hope this Annual Report communicates, better than I can the determi-
nation and creativity of our partners in Palestine and Lebanon. We’ve in-
cluded a few “30th Anniversary Highlights,” with more on MECA’s history
in next year’s report. I hope you feel pride in all MECA has accomplished
because we couldn’t do it without your support.

Sometimes people ask me, “What will MECA be doing in ten years.?” It’s
a reasonable question but I can’t really answer it. MECA’s “strategic plan” Barbara Lubin
has always been to respond to the needs of people on the ground, and to Founder and Director 
support their initiatives, their solutions. Our partners in Palestine and
Lebanon are the leaders of the work we do. With the support of a few
thousand individuals like you, we follow their lead.

As refugees continue to flee from the horrific violence in Syria, MECA’s

partner organizations in Lebanon are working to meet their needs for
shelter, medical care, children’s education, winter clothes, heating fuel,
hygiene products, and whatever else arises.

cover photo: Pablo Pitcher Deproto

 Projects for Children

Education for Syrian Refugees

Our biggest challenge right now is the children’s loss of hope for
the future. Kids see their parents sleeping much of the day since
they’re not allowed to work in Lebanon, and the children can’t
attend public schools. They’re angry and feel forgotten by the
world.
—Olfat Mahmoud, Director, Palestinian Women’s Humanitarian
Organization, Shatila Refugee Camp, Lebanon
Credit: AP
MECA Partners in Lebanon: Palestinian Women’s Humanitarian Organiza-
Support for Arrested and Detained Children tion, Children of Al Jalil Center (CJC)

In 2017, MECA supporters provided:

I was thirsty and hungry. When I asked to go to the toilet they told • Classes in Arabic reading and writing, English, math
me to pee in my jeans. • Workshops in human rights and children’s rights
—An eight-year-old child arrested by Israeli police • Field trips, music, dance, theater, and art  

In 2017, MECA supporters provided:

• Lawyers to protect and represent the children
• Psychologists to work with the children and their families
• Academic tutors for children under house arrest
• Library with daily activities
• Videographer and researcher for legal evidence and advocacy

MECA Partner:
Madaa Creative Center, Silwan, East Jerusalem, Palestine
Projects for Children

New Park and Playground in Gaza

The new park provides fresh air, a relaxing place for mothers, and
a safe place for children to play. The pressures of life are increas-
ing dramatically in Gaza. People need green places to free them-
selves.
—Wafaa El-Derawi, MECA Gaza Projects Assistant
Credit: Tamara Abu Laban
In 2017 MECA supporters helped build a new park and playground in the
village of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.
Healthy Food for Palestinian Schoolchildren
MECA partner:
Palestinian Association for Development and Heritage Protection
Palestinian children need strong bodies because we are first and
foremost living under occupation. When the occupation is com-
bined with poverty, this is an impossible situation for the children.
—Um Hassan, Project Founder, Farmer,
Grandmother, and head of the Masara Village Council

In 2017, MECA supporters provided kitchen supplies, a new stove, rent for
cafeteria, and a monthly stipend for volunteers.

MECA Partners:
Al-Zawahra Women’s Society Center, Masara Village, Palestine

ANNIVERSARY
 Girls’ Sports in Gaza and Lebanon

I loved when the trainer gave us balloons and said, ‘Everything

you hate is in the balloon’. Then we tied the balloons to our feet
we kept running to pop the balloons. We felt really awesome and
relieved.
—Jihan, age 11, Jabalia Refugee Camp, Gaza, Palestine
And More
In 2017, MECA supporters provided:
In 2017, MECA donors also supported these children’s projects:
• Bicycles, balls, uniforms, and equipment
• Counseling and trauma intervention
• Coaches
• Community kindergartens and pre-schools
• Workshops on first aid, life skills, conflict resolution, hygiene,
• Summer camps
menstruation, and psychological health
• Classes for children with learning disabilities
• Cultural heritage education
MECA Partners:
• Youth activism for refugee rights
Al-Jalil Children’s Center in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon; Women’s Affairs • Art, theater, dance, and music classes
Technical Committee and UNRWA in Gaza, Palestine • A school for deaf children
• Youth leadership and fundraising training

30th Anniversary Highlight:

In the 1990s MECA and the WelfareAssociation
designed and built three state-of-the-art, accessible
parks and playgrounds in Gaza, Al-Bireh,
and Nablus.
Aid for Gaza and Syrian Refugees

Emergency Aid and Winter Relief

I am from one of the poor families living in the Bekaa Valley. When
we came to Al Jalil Association, we were treated with all respect
and love. The humanitarian assistance helped us keep warm at
home and, on a personal level, the good treatment was as import-
ant to us as the fuel for heat.
—Syrian refugee in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon

In 2017, MECA supporters provided:

• Jackets and warm clothes for children in Gaza
• Weather protection for 600 homes in Gaza
• Heating fuel for 500 refugee families in Lebanon
• Scarves, mittens, and hats for 500 refugee children in Lebanon
• Food parcels for 750 families in Gaza
MECA partners: Children of Al Jalil Center (CJC), Bekaa Valley,
Lebanon; Never Stop Dreaming Association, Palestinian Association
for Development and Heritage Protection, Gaza
Gaza Lights
When the ongoing electricity crisis in Gaza got dramatically worse in June
2017, MECA Gaza Staff launched a pilot project to install rechargeable bat-
tery systems with three lights, a fan, and a phone charger for 390 families.
I want to thank you very much because you bring light and
cool air [from fans in the summer] to 2,500 people through this
project.
—Amal Abu Moalique, Gaza engineer and Maia Project Coordinator

MECA Partners:
Sketch Engineering and Never Stop Dreaming Association, Gaza

30th Anniversary Highlight:

MECA brought in more than $2 million in medicine
to Iraq between 1995 and 1998, when the U.S-led
sanctions were causing life-threatening shortages.
ANNIVERSARY
 The Maia Project:
Bringing Clean Water to the Children of Palestine
New Maia units were installed in these schools in 2017:
• Beach Camp Elementary Boys A&B schools
Funded by Zam Zam Water on behalf of Yusuf A. Nessary, Sakina The best thing is this unit is accessible to children with disabilities.
Zazay, and the volunteers of Zam Zam Water. In Honor of Fatema They don’t need any help because it is the right height for them.
Adina, Sheikh Omar Suleiman, Ustadh Mohamed Bajour, and the Before we had the water unit in the center, we were forced to
entire Muslim community of Dallas, Texas. wait and buy water from the supplier. Now, we always have
• Sindibad Kindergarten
In honor of Dr. Ralph McCoy, Durham, North Carolina, USA
the water and we became the water supplier for many people
• Msadar Kindergarten nearby.
Funded by Frank and Blythe Baldwin of Ithaca, New York, USA —Wafaa Abu Mashaikh, Maghazi Community
• Al Maghazi Rehabilitation Kindergarten Rehabilitation Center Manager, Gaza
With love from ConnectHer Austin to the beautiful children of Gaza
• Beach Camp Elementary Boys H school & Beach Camp Elementary
Co-Ed B school, Nuseirat Preparatory Boys C, Deir El-Balah
Elementary Co-ed
Funded by Zam Zam Water in dedication to the health, prosperity,
and peace of the children of Gaza. Peace and Blessings
• Shaimaa El-Ola Kindergarten
In friendship and solidarity from supporters in Nevada County,
California

MECA partner:
Palestinian Association for Development and Heritage Protection,
Gaza, Palestine

30th Anniversary Highlight:

In 2009 MECA launched the Maia Project when the Stu-
dent Parliament at a school in a Gaza refugee camp held
an election to select the one thing they most wanted for
their school. They chose drinking water, and that’s how
the Maia Project began.
Investing in Palestine’s Future:
University Scholarships

In 2017, MECA supporters provided scholarships for 112 students at ten

Palestinian universities.

There are twelve people in my family and, since my father died ten
years ago, we have suffered a lot financially. My mother was look-
ing for every chance for me to pursue my university education.
Finally, MECA gave me this great chance to get a professional de-
gree and develop skills like leadership and public speaking.
—Salsabil AlHaw, Pharmacy student, AlAzhar University, Gaza

July 8, 2017 was the best day in my life. I had beautiful moments
with my family on that day that I graduated with an accounting
degree and my dreams and my hopes came true.
—Musab Sarhan, Accounting student, Bethlehem University

I graduated from high school with grade of 97.5% but I could

not think of how I’d be able to pay for my education. A MECA
scholarship came along and it felt like a gift from heaven. Study-
ing at university made a big change in my life. I became more
committed, more confident, and happier.
—Dina Kamal Elbesh, Al-Aqsa University, Gaza,
English Language and Teaching

MECA partners: Al Aqsa University, Al Azhar University, Al Quds

Open University, Al Quds University, An-Najah University, Bethlehem
University, Birzeit University, Hebron University, Palestine Ahlia Uni-
versity College, Palestine Polytechnic University

30th Anniversary Highlight:

In 2003, two generous MECA donors established the Elly Jaensch
Memorial Scholarship for Palestinian refugees in honor of their mother,
a refugee. Now, this fund and other funds provide more than 100
ANNIVERSARY Palestinian students with scholarships every year.
 Community Income-Generating Projects

Resources for Educators and Students
Sanctuary Education, February 2017, Oakland
Responding to requests from teachers, MECA collaborated with Arab Re-
source and Organizing Committee, Teachers 4 Social Justice, People’s Edu-
cation Movement, and Alliance of South Asians Taking Action to hold a one-
day workshop on “Sanctuary Education: A conference for K-12 teachers,
staff and youth workers on meeting the needs of Arab and Muslim youth in
the Trump era.”
In addition, in 2017 MECA supporters provided:
• Workshops for teachers on how and why to teach about Palestine
• A website with resources for teaching Palestine (in progress)
• Support for teachers in developing and implementing curriculum on Bazaar, a main solidarity event in the Bay Area, featuring items made
Palestinian history and current issues
• Collaboration with other educators on evaluating resource materials
on Muslim and Arab history
Syrian and Palestinian refugee women in Lebanon crochet and knit warm
clothing items for refugee children and sell them to sustain and expand the
project.
I’m proud of my work with this knitting project that will help ref-
ugees during winter. Also, I can depend on myself and support my
mother and sister.
—Ibtisam Mohammed Al Ahmad, a Palestinian refugee from Syria
In 2017 MECA supporters
• Spent $148,801.11 helping dozens of women’s collectives, artisans
and businesses in Palestine produce and sell their goods
• Attended the MECA/Joining Hands 15th Annual Palestinian Crafts
in Palestine

Ceramics, Olive Wood, Keffiyehs, Embroidery, Jewlery, Clothing,

Books, Prints, Rugs, Olive Oil and more!

30th Anniversary Highlight:

In 2003 Joining Hands, a group of Bay Area women, held
the first Palestinian Crafts Bazaar to support women in
Palestine.
2017 EVENTS

Palestinian Theatre, Dance, and Girls’ Hip Hop

Come to the U.S.
Credit: The Freedom Theatre
In March 2017, MECA brought eighteen young dancers and hip-hop per-
formers from Shoruq (“Sunrise”) Organization in Dheisheh refugee camp,
Palestine to visit the U.S. People from California to New Jersey heard the
voices of Palestinian refugee children and learned about their lives and
their culture. (See front cover photo).

In October 2017, MECA’s long-time partner, the Friends of the Jenin Free-
dom Theatre, brought The Siege to an audience of 3,500 people in New York
City. The play tells the story of the 2002 siege on Bethlehem’s Holy Church
of the Nativity, at the height of the Second Intifada, from the point of view of
six Palestinian fighters who took refuge inside the church and were trapped
there for thirty-nine days. (See top photo).

Bay Area MECA Events

• Jerusalem We Are Here, interactive documentary
• 3000 Nights film
• Kate Raphael Book Release,
Murder Under the Fig Tree
• Mustafa Barghouti speaking event Credit: Nour Productions

30th Anniversary Highlight:

In 1996, then-Congressman Bernie Sanders spoke at a benefit for MECA
on “The State of the Union: A Progressive Perspective”.
ANNIVERSARY
Friends Raising Funds
14 Friends of Palestine, San Rafael, California
Abrar Ebady on Facebook
Arab American Community Center, Youngstown
Arabic Classical Music Concert, Berkeley
Big Ride for Palestine, UK
Cardiff Reds Choir
(Cor Cochion Caerdydd), Wales
Charlie Cassey on Global Giving
College of Marin Students, Kentfield, California
Comma Press
Denison University
Friends of the Jenin Freedom Theatre, New York
Jewish Voice for Peace – New Haven
Joining Hands Fundraiser in memory of David Halaby, Berkeley, California
Zam Zam Water raised more than $120,000 for Gaza in 2017
Kate Brunotts on Global Giving
Liverpool Friends of Palestine
Madison Rafah Sister City Project, Madison, Wisconsin
Manchester Palestine Solidarity Campaign, UK
Medha, Josh, and Naija for Naija's First Birthday
Mervette Jebara on Facebook
Palestine Heritage Group, Seattle
Palestinian American Community Center, New Jersey
Palestinian American Women’s Association – San Diego
Palestinian American Women’s Association of Southern California
Paliroots
Pilgrims of Ibillin
Presbytery of Greater Atlanta Joining Hands for Justice in Israel Palestine Partnership
Rana Rezapour, “Basmeh” Photographs of Syrian refugees, Berkeley
Recitation of World Poetry, Rumi’s Caravan, Oakland
Sandra Ramini and Ann Wright, London, UK
Santa Feans for Justice in Palestine, New Mexico
South Connecticut State University Women’s Studies
University of New Mexico Muslim Student Association
Tree of Life Educational Fund
WILPF Challah for Gaza Brunch, Tucson
Women Against Military Madness, Minneapolis
Younos Aboulnaga, Google Giving Week, Ontario, Canada
Zam Zam Water, Fremont, California
Board of Directors Prof. Naseer Aruri Alice Walker
Rabbi Leonard Beerman Prof. Dick Walker
Sherry Gendleman
Prof. Joel Beinin Sharon Wallace
Howard Levine Jeanne Butterfield Hon. Maxine Waters
Barbara Lubin Prof. Noam Chomsky Leonard Weinglass
Osha Neumann Ramsey Clark Brian Willson
Dr. Charlie Clements Leon Wofsy
Gus Newport Dr. Davida Coady Tawfiq Zayyad
Jos Sances Hon. John Conyers Howard Zinn
Michel Shehadeh Angela Y. Davis Jim Zogby
Ossie Davis
Staff Hon. Ronald Dellums Support MECA’s profit making business!
Prof. Troy Duster
Amal Abu Moaliqe, Kathy Engel
Maia Project Water Engineer Samih Farsoun
Deborah Agre, Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Max Gail
Development Director
Allen Ginsberg
Wafaa El Derawi, Hon. Jackie Goldberg
Gaza Projects Assistant Yvonne Golden
Dr. Mona El-Farra, Bluma Goldstein
Director of Gaza Projects Susan Goltsman
Khader Hamide
Nancy Ippolito, Rabbi Burt Jacobson
Finance Administrator Hon. Grantland Johnson
Barbara Lubin, June Jordan
Co-Founder and Executive Director Casey Kasem
Ying Lee
Penny Rosenwasser, Ph.D.,
Special Events Coordinator
Riyad Khoury Remember the Future!
Prof. Mel King
Jos Sances, Felicia Langer with a Planned Gift to the
Jerry Levin
Art Director
Ibrahim Abu Lughod Middle East
Zeiad Abbas Shamrouch,
Manager for Cross-Cultural Programs
Bill Means
Holly Near
Children’s Alliance
Josie Shields-Stromsness, Prof. Hilton Obenzinger There are several simple ways to make
Program Director Jack O’Dell contributions through your will.
Father Bill O’Donnell
Susan Silva, For further assistance, please contact
Matti Peled
Administrative Coordinator Deborah Agre at deborah@mecaforpeace.
Antonio Rodriguez
Nawal Tamimi, Michel Roublev org, 510 548-0542.
Volunteer Coordinator Prof. Edward Said
Rev. Gus Schultz MECA also welcomes: Employee giving,
Founding Advisors Pete Seeger
Prof. Hisham Sharabi
employer matching gifts, car donations, gifts
Sen. James Abourezk of stock, gifts of time (volunteers), and
Maya Angelou Stanley Sheinbaum
Anan Ameri Samir Totah donations by phone, mail or online at
Dr. Swee Chai Ang Leah Tsemel www.mecaforpeace.org/donate.
Dr. Fathi Arafat Marc Van Der Hout
 Financials

Income:
Individual Donors $1,632,097.37 47.7%
Income:
In-kind Donations $951,758.00 27.8%
Foundation Grants $276,330.00 8.1%
Benefits & Fundraisers $222,202.62 6.5%
Sales of Palestinian Crafts $148,801.11 4.4%
Children’s Circle (monthly donors) $61,732.53 1.8%
Miscellaneous Income $55,243.62 1.6%
Individual Donors Sales of Palestinian Crafts
Events $40,715.04 1.2%
In-kind donations Children’s Circle (monthly donors)
Bequests $31,471.74 0.9%
Foundation Grants Miscellaneous Income
TOTAL $3,420,352.03
Benefits & Fundraisers Events
Bequests

Expenses:
Humanitarian Aid $1,151,741.22 37.0% Expenses:
Projects for Children $608,158.11 19.5%
Education & Cultural Programs $354,315.31 11.4%
Fundraising $315,072.91 10.1%
Administration $213,306.04 6.9%
Maia Project $181,251.22 5.8%
Scholarships $139,228.62 4.5%
Humanitarian Aid Education & Cultural Programs
Shop Palestine/Bazaar $125,846.93 4.0%
Maia Project Shop Palestine/Bazaar
Community Income Projects $23,858.00 0.8%
Projects for Children Fundraising
TOTAL $3,112,778.37
Scholarships Community Income Projects
Administration
 NON PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
BERKELEY, CA
PERMIT #265

www.mecaforpeace.org