Denizens Society Global

Hi, I’m Meghan and I’m racing for a cause close to my heart. On July 13, I’ll be competing in my first-ever sprint triathlon — and I’ve decided to dedicate this challenge to raising awareness and support for Denizens Society Global (DSG).

What is Denizens Society Global (DSG)?

DSG is a U.S.-based nonprofit led by Palestinians and operating out of Cairo. Their mission is “dedicated to empowering and protecting families, youth, and children, focusing primarily on those affected by war and displacement”. They provide on-ground, real-time support to communities impacted by the ongoing crisis.

Why DSG matters to me:

Having lived in Palestine, this cause feels deeply personal. I still remember my first official run — between checkpoints in Nablus, Palestine back in 2018. Since then, my fitness journey has taken many turns, but now, as I train for a triathlon, I’m bringing that same spirit of resistance and resilience into this race — with a purpose rooted in justice and solidarity.

My fundraising goal: $1,000 USD

Every dollar will go directly toward DSG’s current projects, helping to deliver vital aid and support where it’s needed most.

If you’re able to contribute — or even just share — it would mean the world to me and those impacted.. Thank you for supporting this effort!

And if you’re interested in learning more about DSG, checkout their site: https://denizenssociety.org/ or their IG @denizenssociety

Your support helps Denizens Society Global make a difference by contributing towards efforts like:

Field assessments and focus groups conducted by Denizens revealed that over 85% of displaced Gazan families in Cairo have at least one member suffering from untreated dental conditions. These include chronic toothaches, cavities, broken or decaying teeth, and infections requiring urgent interventions such as extractions or root canals. The pain and discomfort from these issues often interfere with eating, sleeping, and daily functioning, further compounding the hardships of displacement.

The cost of even basic dental treatment in Cairo is far beyond the reach of these families, most of whom lack legal work status and any regular source of income. With no affordable options, many are forced to rely on painkillers or ignore their condition until it becomes unbearable.

To address this urgent humanitarian gap, Denizens proposes a four-month emergency dental care intervention targeting at least 100 of the most vulnerable displaced Gazans in Cairo, Egypt. In partnership with 3 local clinics, the project will ensure immediate access to essential dental treatments, with a primary focus on pain relief and urgent care. Services will include diagnostics (including periapical radiographs), composite or glass ionomer fillings, root canal treatments, zirconia or lithium disilicate crowns, dental cleaning (scaling and polishing), routine and surgical tooth extractions, as well as pediatric dental procedures such as fillings, root canals, and extractions.

This initiative not only seeks to alleviate physical suffering but also aims to restore dignity and strengthen the resilience of a population grappling with the psychological and physical toll of war and displacement.

While the cost of dental procedures is probative to many Gazans in Cairo, they are quite affordable by western standards. Small donations can make a big impact. Here are some average costs for the most common procedures:

Root Canal - $70

Filling - $24

Extraction - $60

Cleaning - $20

Diagnosis and X-rays: $5

Crown: $100

Read about this project and our other work on our website here: https://denizenssociety.org/pages/projects

and feel free to reach out with any questions via the email address on our website.

Hi My name is Manuela and on October 25th, I’ll be running the Lisbon Marathon, and as part of this journey, I have decided to fundraiser for a cause that means a great deal to me. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to run for a Palestinian cause, as the situation unfolding there represents one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time.

Choosing which charity to support was not easy - there are so many incredible organisations doing such vital work for Palestinian communities. After careful consideration, I decided to work with Denizens Society Global (DSG), which is a non profit organisation that is aids and supports Palestinians who have fled to Egypt. Their mission is dedicated to empowering and protecting families, youth and children, focusing on those affected by war and displacement - through programs that strive to promote human rights, enhance resilience and improve access to essential services - which is something that is deeply urgent. This organization also holds a personal connection for me, as one of my course mates, Ahmed—a Palestinian himself—is part of the Denizens Society Global team. To see someone my age lead an organisation dedicated to such significant humanitarian work is incredibly inspiring, and I feel proud to support and uplift the work of a peer who is making such a tangible difference in the lives of others.

Specifically, the project I’ll be fundraising for is the Restoring Hope - Gazan Family Relief Program, which is one of the most far reaching and fundamental initiatives on DSG. By early 2024, over 150,000 Gazan found themselves stranded in Cairo after fleeing conflict - many without long terms plans or support systems. To address these needs, DSG launched a 5 month emergency relief program that provided 43 families with rent support, food vouchers, hygiene kits and essential home items like mattresses, stoves, fridges and water filters. This support offered crucial moments of stability and relief for those living in unfurnished homes, often without basics to cook, sleep or store food. Now, a larger scale version of this project is being implemented in partnership with an Egyptian NGO, expanding its reach to support even more vulnerable families. This work is vital - not just for survival, but for restoring hope and helping Palestinians begin to rebuild their lives with safety and self determination.

That’s why I have chosen to fundraise for this cause - because every pound/dollar raised goes directly toward improving the lives of Palestinian families who need it most. My fundraising goal is £1,500, or about $2,000 and with your help, I hope the even surpass it. With this much funding, it can be put towards: 155 therapy sessions, hygiene essentials for 30 families, or 25 food vouchers (which covers a month of groceries for a family).

Every single donation, no matter how small, contributes to something meaningful - from helping bring food on the table, to providing families with the basic tools to live with comfort and dignity.

Thank you for taking a moment to stand with a cause that means so much to me - and to so many others.