Hi, I am Alan, Programme Director at the global humanitarian aid organisation, Mercy Corps. I am trying to help a Palestinian colleague to do her Master’s in Global Development at SOAS in University of London. Please see her story below.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanelkadhi/

My name is Haneen . I am a 33-year-old Palestinian. I have just been accepted to do a 12 months Master’s in Global Development at the University of London’s prestigious SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) commencing September 2025. To make this dream a reality, I am fundraising to cover the cost of tuition fees. This opportunity to advance my education will allow me to contribute to the development of Palestine. I welcome any support that you can give.

The university fee is £25,000. I have been awarded a partial scholarship of £10,000.

So I need to raise £15,000 before the end of August to cover the remainder of the fees. .

I was born in Hebron, a city in the south of the West Bank, where daily life was shaped by tension, restrictions, and the constant presence of occupation. Growing up, I never knew the peace of a normal childhood. Instead of carefree days at the beach or family gatherings without fear, my earliest memories are of checkpoints, soldiers, and the resilience my community had to build to survive. These experiences instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to speak up for my people and work to create opportunities where so few exist.

In 2024, I was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Cambridge Summer School in International Development and International Relations. I spent one month at Cambridge, where I built valuable global connections and gained insights that profoundly influenced my work and my vision for change.

For the past 5 years I have been working for the International NGO Mercy Corps as the Community and Mentorship Lead for their Gaza Sky Geeks programme, Palestine’s leading tech hub that empowers young Palestinians to join the global digital economy. In my role, I connect a network of international and national mentors with community members and companies across Palestine through technical training, events, and workshops. My focus is to enable growth through international collaboration and overcome regulatory hurdles, limited global exposure.

The impact of this work is tangible. In 2023 alone, Gaza Sky Geeks trained more than 4,000 young Palestinians in market-relevant skills, enabling them to secure online work and generate sustainable income from overseas clients. Seventy percent of our graduates moved from unemployment to earning online, with monthly incomes ranging from 700 to 1,500 US dollars within a year of graduation. For me, every one of these success stories is a step towards a more empowered and resilient Palestinian future.

Before stepping into the humanitarian field, I worked at the largest telecommunications company in Palestine as a Data Specialist. I was responsible for designing targeted campaigns and programs based on customer behavior analysis and segmentation, creating initiatives that improved engagement and retention. While this role strengthened my strategic, analytical, and project management skills, my heart was always in advocacy and community driven development. I volunteered as a mentor, joined global initiatives, and seized every opportunity to represent Palestine on the world stage.

After high school, I moved to Ramallah to study Economics at Birzeit University and was on the honor list for 3 years. This move gave me independence, new perspectives, and the confidence to take on leadership roles. My university years shaped my personality, deepened my belief in the power of community action, and set me on the path I continue to walk today.

I was accepted to SOAS University of London in 2024 to pursue a Master’s degree in Global Development, but I was unable to attend due to financial restrictions. This year, I have been offered a partial scholarship that covers part of my tuition fees. SOAS is one of the world’s top universities in this field, and this program will equip me with advanced knowledge and skills in international development, enabling me to design and implement sustainable solutions for the social and economic challenges facing Palestine. The insights and networks I gain will empower me to better support vulnerable communities and advocate for systemic change.

I believe that my experiences and education are powerful tools for raising awareness and driving change. I envision a future where I can serve as a mentor and role model for Palestinian women, inspiring them to lead with confidence and make a proactive impact in their communities. My ultimate goal is to break down barriers and challenge societal norms, creating a more inclusive and equitable world for all. I am determined to leave a lasting legacy, empowering future generations to continue the fight for justice and equality in every aspect of life. If you believe in the power of education as a tool for justice and liberation, please consider donating. Every contribution brings me closer to the classroom, to my degree, and to the future I am trying to build.

Thank you for reading my story. I hope that you can help me.

If you want to donate but avoid the commission to GoFundMe, please contact me via (eg. via LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanelkadhi/) and I will provide you the bank account details to do a bank-to-bank transfer.