Running for Palestine: Support Gazan families in Egypt

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.