Help Palestinian Student Continue Studies in Newfoundland

Hi

We’re Nikita Stapleton and Sadie Mees. We have set up this fundraiser to help our dear friend Faisal complete the final year of his studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada.

We have attempted since May to get Memorial University to commit to and follow through on establishing bursaries and scholarships for Palestinian students like Faisal who struggle to pay huge international student fees amid the financial hardships exasperated by Israel’s attacks on their homes and families. While the university initially committed to this, they have seemingly abandoned the commitment and their students with an Oct 24 meeting confirming no tuition bursary was yet available and no timeline in sight. The student life office does offer what they've referred to as "band-aid" funding meant for any student in distress to cover groceries and rent for a month. There is no tuition bursary established like those offered to Ukrainian students in 2022 and 2023.

With overdue tuition Faisal and others were initially restricted from registering for courses for the fall semester. After protesters demanded meetings the university finally agreed to temporarily lift holds. However, those offices have now said there will be no hold lifts for the winter semester and so without a means to pay his outstanding tuition, Faisal will not be able to register for his final semester courses, something that could then effect his study visa.

We have tried for months to convince Faisal to allow us to set up this Go Fund Me. But he is proud and was trying so hard working multiple jobs to manage on his own. He is now willing to allow our community to support him and we know you will!

See message from Faisal below:

Hi! My name is Faisal, a Palestinian student at Memorial University of Newfoundland. I've been in Canada for almost four years, working towards my B.A. in Business Administration with a minor in Law & Public Policy. My family, who has funded my education from Palestine, are still in Jerusalem and now face severe economic hardships. They continue to support my siblings' education, and despite my efforts to maintain self-sufficiency through jobs and scholarships, I am now at a point where I need help. I was always raised never to ask for help and be self-sufficient in life, which makes writing this 10 times harder, but I have realized I can’t go on without asking for some help from my community

With one last semester to complete, I’m facing an unexpected financial gap that prevents me from finishing my degree.

My challenges are small compared to the struggle of my people in Gaza and the West Bank, but I feel the ripple effect of the genocide affecting my family’s ability to support me. Any support you can provide will make a difference in helping me cross the finish line of my education. I hope that, one day, I will be able to give back in the same way that others have helped me. Thank you for your kindness and generosity