Category Archives: Uncategorized

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Ramadan Invetation “Iftar”

Category:Uncategorized

Orange Simple Minimalist Illustration Join us for iftar Ramadan Facebook Post 1

On the 15th of May every year, Palestinen American Comunity Center of Chicago, in cooperation with Uinted Holy Land Fund, put an event to commemorate the “NAKBA” – The Forced Exodus- of the Palestnian People for their homeland. Because of the Convid Pandamic we have not done so for the last 2 years. This year Ramadan Eidul Fitr Fall too close to the occasion. Instead, we are holding Iftar On Sunday April 24th, 2022 at 7:30 PM. Limited to special guests, Friends and supporters to commemorate and rais funds for the orphans in refugee camps in Pleastine. It will be held at P. A. C. C. Hall on 6000 w 79th st. Burbank, IL. 60459. You and your spouse are cordially invited to this “Iftar”. You have the chance to chat with the US congressman Jesus (Chuy) Garcia of the 4th District. They will breakfast with us. Your Kind reply and attindance are greatly appreciated. 

We foundly look forward to seeing you, And Ramadan Mubarak وكل عام وأنتم بخير

Your Hosts

Dr. Qaseem Blan, Muwaffaq Ijbara,
Mohammed shaker, Jihad Modalala, Nader Alghoul, Baheej Elasmar, Majeda Owaida, Fadwa Naji, Mahmoud Zahra, Ali Naji, Riyad Elagha, Maryam Alrazzaq, Aref Musa, Musa Musa, Abdelghafer Alarouri, and Mohammed Aburmishan 

PACC Iftar Invitation


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UHLF.org 1080 x 1080 px

53 years of support

Category:Uncategorized

Thank you for 53 years of support. With your help, our mission goes on


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UHLF 53rd annual fund1 2

53rd Annual Fundraising Dinner

Category:Uncategorized

To Palestinians, Education is the Passport to Freedom

UHLF 53rd annual fund1 2

UHLF 53rd annual fund

Dear UHLF Supporters,
I want to take this opportunity to personally thank you for supporting our beloved organization, the United Holy Land
Fund. I want to welcome our new supporters and our dedicated donors who showed us how to build our organization
to a higher standard in the last few years. Your donations continue to provide our students and orphans in Palestine
with a better life and more opportunity.
We are excited to let you know that in the past 3-years, with your generous donations, we were able to provide our
needy people with $4.5-5 million that supported our orphans and students at all Universities in Gaza and the West
Bank in Palestine.
UHLF will continue to expand and grow as long as our people in Palestine need us. In my last visit this summer to
many of the Universities and the students benefiting from our Scholarship, I learned firsthand that the demand is still
great. That is why I proposed to the Board of Directors that we increase the number of scholarships this year to at
least 1,000 so we can meet the urgent demand of our needy people. Therefore, I set our goal for the second fundraising
activity to reach and hopefully exceed $750,000.
I have complete faith that this goal will be reached before the end of this year. However, from my long experience
with UHLF, I know that the most notable factor in this organization is YOU, our dedicated supporters. I hope we will
continue to earn your trust, support, and loyalty, and I hope you will help us stay on our mission by providing the
necessary support to our people in Palestine.
Respectfully Yours,
Dr. Quaseem Blan
President, UHLF

STATS & FACTS

The grant offers $1,000/year (about $500 per semester) towards tuition.
The program now covers 800 sponsored students in all the
Palestinian Universities.
The number of new students accepted in the program is equal to the number
of graduating from each university.
The grant is awarded to students enrolled in Fall and Spring semesters only.
The grant recipients are selected by a specialized UHLF committee.
Funds are transferred directly to the students’ prospective university on
behalf of the students.

ELIGIBILITY

Enrollment in an accredited 4-year institution.
Accumulative (GPA) of (B) or better once enrolled in college.
Proper personal conduct in and out of school is an essential factor.
Eligible students from UHLF supported orphanage societies have a
priority.
They have proven economic need.
Completion of UHLF application with all needed supporting
documents.

ACHIEVEMENTS

More than 2000 students graduated in the last seven years.
More than $2,000,000 was transferred through this program.
More than 90% of the donations are from the American Palestinian
Communities.
More than 35% of the students are needy orphans.
More than 67% of the students are females.
More than 25% of the graduates continue to pursue post
Graduate degrees.
More than 60% find jobs locally and /or in the surrounding countries.

LOOKING AHEAD

Upon graduation and gainful employment, sponsored students
are expected to help and assist eligible students in need as
they once were.
Sponsored students might be asked to participate in UHLF
efforts to promote, explain and expand the program.
Sponsored students are expected to perform community
services, such as grammar or high school tutoring, volunteer
at hospitals, senior homes, or other local aid societies.
We hope the day comes when this program is self-sufficient,
where the alumni’s contributions will help fund the needs of
other disadvantaged students.


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2nd Annual Zarb 1 1

2nd Annual Zarb

Category:Orphan Care,Uncategorized
2nd Annual Zarb 1 1

raised $200,000.00

United Holy Land Fund

Event took place on 10/10/2021

Address: 

12700 S Wolf Rd.

Palos Park, IL. 60464


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Send Udhiya to Palestine

Udhiya Donation

Category:Uncategorized

Two Million Palestinians Live Below Poverty Line

A World Bank report cited as far back as in 2003 that the number of poor in Palestine had tripled in just three years. Sixty per cent of those residing in the West Bank and Gaza were identified as living ‘under the poverty line’. Despite a call to action, poverty rates have not declined. The staggering increase in recorded poverty has been blamed on a number of factors, including a high unemployment rate, economic decline, conflict and the isolation of the Palestinian people. A donation to United Holy Land Fund will help us deliver fresh Udhiya meat to the poor during Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha.


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Educational Scholarship Grant

Category:Uncategorized

About the Educational Scholarship Grant (ESG) Program

Stats & Facts…

  • It is a GRANT not a LOAN that offers $1,000/year ($500 per semester) for each student toward his or her tuition.
  • The program now covers sponsored students at all the Palestinian Universities.
  • The number of new students accepted in the program is equal to the number graduating from each university
  • The grant is awarded to students enrolled in fall and spring semesters only
  • Funds are transferred directly to the students’ perspective university on behalf of the students.

Eligibility…

  • High School General Exam (Tawjeehi) score of 80% or above.
  • Enrollment in an accredited 4 years institution.
  • Accumulative grade point average of (B)or better throughout college years
  • Proper personal conduct in and out of school is a MUST
  • Nominated academically eligible students from UHLF supported orphanage societies have a priority
  • Proven economical need

Achievements…

  • More than 400 students graduate annually with bachelor degree.
  • More than 95% of the donations are from the American Muslim and Arab Communities.
  • More than 35% of the students are needy orphans
  • More 7% are students of special “physical” needs
  • More than 67% of the students are females.
  • More than 25% of the graduates continue on to pursue post graduate degrees
  • 100% of the recipients would help other students like them once gainfully employed.

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Project Loving Care (PLC)

Category:Uncategorized

PLC is a children sponsorship program that caters to the distressed orphans and disadvantaged children in Palestine.  The sponsorships are administered through established, registered, reputable, and well recognized charitable institutions in the Palestine. Some examples of such entities are:

  • Inash El-Usra in Ramallah
  • Saraya Center in Jerusalem
  • Hebron Orphan Girls at HICS
  • Dar Al-yateem Alarabi in Tulkarm
  • Almustaqbal Society Against Violence in Gaza
  • Future Society for Culture and Development in Gaza
  • North Hebron Red Crescent
  • Attadamon Orphans Society in Nablus
  • Jenin Orphans Society
  • Alsabi Orphans Society in Jericho
  • Bethlehem SOS Village
  • Al-Amal Orphans Institution in Qalqilia

Since 2014, this program caters to 500 children. Sponsorship is only $600 per year ($1.65 a day) per child or orphan. The funds distributed to the children through these institutions in increments of $150 per quarter.

PLC sponsorship is only a helping hand –for most it is the only one– to help provide food, clothing, and school supplies these children desperately need to improve their lives. Unfortunately, the continued Israeli military occupation causes an increase in the numbers of these unfortunate children almost daily.  However, thanks to the fortitude of this program, these children and orphans in Palestine are given a sliver of hope and that someone out there cares about them.


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Al Bayyara the orchard2

Al-Bayyara (the orchard)

Category:Uncategorized

Al-Bayyara Project

Childhood is a fundamental stage that defines the future transition of children into adulthood. As such, children should be provided with the needed care and education to enhance their mental, psychological and social development. Much of this knowledge development is gained through play.

In Palestine, there are limited areas for safe outdoor playing for children to spend their energy, interact with each other and be creative through play. Most Palestinian children spend their spare time playing in the streets, amongst passing vehicles, exposing themselves and others to high risk and danger of accidents and injuries. On the other hand, children who are restricted from playing outside become passive and unsociable, spending hours in non-interactive activities, such as watching TV or playing digital games, which are equally associated with health hazards including obesity, addiction, laziness, slower development, etc.

Outdoor playgrounds offer families and their children safe public spaces to meet, socialize and spend quality time. Moreover, public spaces require community ownership and involvement to prosper and this can contribute positively to enriching the local environment.

As a means to address this dire need, WA with the Bank of Palestine and the Basem and Muna Hishmeh Foundation launched and financed “Al-Bayyara project” since 2013 to date to establish children ‘s playgrounds in urban and rural neighborhoods to serve as recreational communal spaces for children and their families. So far, 19 playgrounds have been established and 9 are under construction, established in partnership with local municipalities/village councils.

The successful implementation of these playgrounds and their impact on the children, their families (specifically their mothers) and the community at large, motivated WA and its partners to seek additional funding to scale up their efforts to implement 10 new playgrounds annually. WA hopes that this simple intervention will be replicated at the national level in urban neighborhoods, towns, and villages, and championed by other development organizations to restore to Palestinian children their right to play safely.

Al-Bayyara: the orchard

“Al-Bayyara” is the Arabic word for the orange orchard. In the late nineteenth century, historical Palestine witnessed a surge in citrus cultivation and orchards dominated the landscape from the north to the south. After 1948, orange orchards became a symbol of Palestinian history and identity, revered with nostalgia by the old and young alike. The playgrounds will be named “Al-Bayyara” to capture the image and value that these orchards hold in the Palestinian consciousness, as the playgrounds become the focal points in their communities.

Project Rationale

Playground games are what children strive for; for many, it is their favorite time of the day. It is well recognized that children develop much of their learning, cognitive and social skills through play and these are carried forward into their adulthood. Moreover, research shows that playgrounds are amongst the most important environments for children outside their home that enhances their imagination and creativity. Therefore, the importance of physical activity for children is widely recognized and has been the subject of public policy statements in many countries.

Furthermore, there is a general consensus that physical activity reduces the risk of psychological problems in children, fosters their self-esteem, self-care skills, encourages physical mastery and self-development, and stimulates problem-solving skills. Moreover, playgrounds provide a means to communicate with other children and adults leading to personality development and sense of connection.

In conclusion, the long-term impact of playgrounds on children is immense in terms of overall development, health, attitude, communication, interaction, and behavior. Equally, creating safe environments for children will also benefit the families and their children and will promote a sense of ownership that can help in preserving these playgrounds as a focal point for the local community.

The Goal

To establish community-based outdoor recreational playgrounds that are safe for children to play and can contribute to their physical, social and cognitive development.

Objectives

  • To create safe communal spaces for children to play and their families to enjoy;
  • To enhance children physical and mental development and social behavior through play;
  • To improve the local environment by reclaim neglected plots of land for the benefit of the local community;
  • To foster and build community interaction, ownership and participation.

Proposed Locations

Marginalized urban and rural neighborhoods in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip.

Selection Criteria for the Playgrounds

Al-Bayyara playgrounds are designed to meet the needs of children and their families, especially their mothers. They are designed to be safe, robust, can accommodate different age groups and maximize the use of the available spaces. Al-Bayyara utilizes simple designs and recycled materials were possible to minimize operational and maintenance cost.

                    A minimum area of 1000m2 is considered suitable for the plot of land to be developed into a playground so as to accommodate the following zoned activities:

  • Active play area fitted with fixed equipment such as swings, slides, seesaws, climbers, as wells as fixtures that allow climbing, jumping, balancing and hanging;
  • Free play area of open space, paved or sand covered for running, informal ball games, cartwheels, somersaults and rolling;
  • Quiet area surrounded by trees and shrubs and fitted with benches and shaded areas to allow families and groups of children to socialize and observe the activities around them in comfort.  

In addition, Al-Bayyara site selection and implementation shall meet the following fundamental additional criteria:

  • Location: The playground shall be centrally located in residential neighborhoods. It shall be safely accessible on foot by children and away from main roads and dangerous intersections. Pedestrian crossing and other warning signs shall be fitted to warn drivers and pedestrians of the location of the playground and to give priority for children were relevant and safe.
  • Ownership: The playground site should be owned collectively by the community and the local municipality/ village council so that entry to the playground will be free of charge. The project will encourage the election of a local committee to follow up on the operation and maintenance of the playground but other means can be negotiated if deemed plausible and supported by the community.
  • Safety: The playground will be fenced completely and fitted with gates to control children mobility and keep them safe. All equipment shall be certified to ensure they conform to international standards and all measures shall be taken to reduce the risk of injuries through equipment design and floor treatment without compromising children fun and play.
  • Sanitation:  Maintaining a high level of cleanliness and hygiene is not only vital for children’s well-being but will encourage them to follow suit and keep their playground clean and safe. It is this communal ownership that will rally children and families alike to maintain and preserve these playgrounds in good condition and invest in them in the long-term.

Methodology

For the successful selection, implementation and future sustainability of Al-Bayyara, the project team engages directly with the municipality/village council as partners in the whole process to promote ownership and interest in operating and maintaining the playground once completed. The municipality/village council is expected to:

  • Provide a suitable plot of land that meets the selection criteria set by WA;
  • Be actively involved in the design of the playground and its construction;
  • Provide connection to power supply and water supply for playground use;
  • Follow-ups on the operation and maintenance of the playground;
  • Setup a local committee to ensure community engagement in preserving and maintaining the playground for the welfare of the children. 

Office Location & Contact

6000 79th St. Suite 200, Burbank, IL 60459 United States

Phone: (708) 430-1968
e-Mail: info@uhlf.org

Testimonials

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

تحية طيبة وبعد ؛

أنا الطالبة مرام حامد أتقدم بجزيل الشكر و الامتنان لجمعيتكم على تقديمها العون لي وتسديد جزء من أقساطي الجامعية ، و أشكر أيضاً كل الأطراف و الجهات التي تساهم في دعم هذه الجمعية، لتكون عوناً لكثير من الطلاب و تساعدهم على تحمل أعباءهم الجامعية ، راجيةً من الله أن تكون لهم في ميزان حسناتهم الجارية و الله في عون العبد ما دام العبد في عون أخيه.
حيث انكم من خلال ذلك تساعدون الكثير من الطلاب لإكمال دراستهم و علمهم،
العلم الذي يعتبر سلاحنا الوحيد في هذه البلد و في هذه الظروف ؛ لنستطيع العيش و التغلب على أوضاعنا المأساوية من احتلال و أوضاع اقتصادية صعبة و غلاء معيشة و ارتفاع الأسعار وأهم من ذلك ارتفاع أسعار الساعات الجامعية.

و قد أنهيت الثانوية بمعدل 95.4 ، و الآن أنا طالبة في جامعة بيرزيت سنة ثانية، تخصص دكتور صيدلي و سعر الساعة لهذا التخصص 80 دينار أردني و هي من أغلى الساعات في الجامعة و مقارنةً بالجامعات الأخرى فهي تعادل سعر ساعة الطب البشري ، حيث أن قسط الفصل الواحد يزيد على 1400 دينار بالإضافة الى رسوم التسجيل الجامعي.
أنتمي لعائلة مكونة من 8 أفراد و أبي هو المعيل الوحيد لنا و هو يعمل موظف بإحدى الشركات براتب متوسط لا يكفي لإعالة العائلة و دفع الأقساط الجامعية معاً.

و أنا و غيري في هذه الجامعة نعاني في بداية كل فصل من عدم السماح لنا بالتسجيل حتى نقوم بدفع القسط كامل، و لا يتم فتح باب التقسيط إلا بعد مرور فترة من بداية الفصل و هكذا لا نستطيع التسجيل في الشعب المرغوبة حيث تكون قد امتلأت .

أتمنى من هذه الجمعية الاستمرار في دعم الطلاب قدر المستطاع ؛ و أن تقوم بزيادة قيمة المساعدة المقدمة لكل طالب و ذلك بالاعتماد على قيمة القسط المدفوع ،حيث أنها في بعض الأحيان تقوم بتغطية ما يزيد على 50% من قيمة القسط لبعض الطلاب ،لكنها في نفس الوقت لا تشكل سوى جزء بسيط من أقساط الآخرين , فعلى سبيل المثال فهي لا تغطي سوى 24% من قيمة القسط الذي أدفعه أنا في كل فصل .
و في نهاية رسالتي أقدم لكم مجدداً كل الشكر و الامتنان ،متمنيةً لكم كل الخير و الأمان
و مزيداً من دعم الطلاب .

Ladies and Gentlemen in United Holy Land Fund,

I'm Wassim Abdallah. I study in the Arab American University of Jenin - Palestine.
I study computer system engineering in my third year.

I have no words to tell you how much we feel happy and hopeful when you help us. People like you should be respected from everybody. I would like to thank you as a group of people who care and think about others.

I like the idea of your association, by your help you give us the power to continue and go on with our ambitions.

Me as a young man , I live in a big family we are eight. my father is an electrician he work all the day in order to give us the opportunity to study in university , actually many times I was thinking to leave university because of the fees of my studying which is so expensive . My father faced a very critical economic situation in his life, i'm number four who enter universities so we are talking about a big number of money.

which made his situation very bad. But by your support you give us and give me the support
and the first step to continue .

I would like to say that you don't just help me, you also teach me and give me lessons in life .
To think about others and helping them . this shows how kind and great you are !

I'm 21 years old and I feel that I have a great power inside me . I participate many social youth activities and I have my own talents I like music so much , I play on violin , oud( an Arabic instrument), and drum .

I sing in concerts , and in church in all celebrations . I lead our university coral from the first year in the university which consists of 30 students how sing and play instruments. I have been in a folklore dance group (Dabkah ) for six years . This year I started to train 20 kids and start to design my own dances .

I like to paint , I'm interested in face painting , I like to challenge my self that if anybody saw my drawings he would know the person .

I decided to tell you about myself in few words in order to know that you help people who deserve your help .

Finally, I send you all our love and respect from me and my family for your help and I pray to God to bless you all and bless your work and ask for having more people like you in this world .

With all my respect,
Wassim Abdallah

انا الدارسة عبير عمر عبدالحليم الديراوي أدرس في جامعة القدس المفتوحة-منطقة غزة التعليمية تخصص التربية الابتدائية اتقدم بجزيل الشكر للقائمين على الجمعية الخيرية للأراضي المقدسة (United Holly Land Fund) لمساعدتهم للدارسين في اكمال مسيرتهم التعليمية واخص بالذكر الجالية الفلسطينية الامريكية في نيويورك ، كما اتقدم بالشكر الجزيل لامام مؤسسة جامع (Bridgview) الشيخ جمال سعيد بالاضافة لامام جامع (ICCI) الشيخ سعيد كما اشكر الجالية الفلسطينية في ممفيس " Memmphis" وكل من ساهم في جمع التبرعات املا منكم استمرار هذه المساعدة لما لهذا العطاء من اثر ايجابي في نفسي ونفس زملائي المستفيدين.
اسم الدارس : عبير عمر عبدالحليم الديراوي


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