I am helping raise funds for Tasneem, a kind and brilliant UMN graduate student from the West Bank. Tasneem began her PhD studies a semester ago, but her family was unable to join her due to visa issues. Tasneem's husband and their four school-age children were finally able to obtain their visas, and are expected to join her in the U.S in mid-July. Tasneem needs to rent a 3-bedroom house and buy furniture to prepare for her family's arrival. The salary for a PhD student in Tasneem's department is $21,000/year. This amount is barely sufficient for one person to cover rent, food, transportation, and other expenses. Since Tasneem is on a student visa, she is not allowed to work off-campus. After paying the cost of plane tickets for five people (approximately $9,000), rental deposit and rent for July ($3,600 total), and legal fees, Tasneem and her husband are in a financially precarious situation. Until Tasneem's husband secures a job in the U.S., the family could use some community support to purchase furniture, pay rent for a couple of months, and buy essentials.

Let's show up for our Palestinian graduate student and her family! You could either make a monetary contribution to this mutual aid effort or gift the family with furniture (email me if you would like to donate furniture). Tasneem and her family need four twin mattresses, a queen mattress, kitchenware, a sofa, a dining room set for 6 people, and desks for children. Except for mattresses, other things can be used.

Thank you for supporting this effort! We keep each other safe!