Rashidieh Camp's Future: Support Their Education and Growth

As I’m sure you have seen, the genocide in Gaza has been ongoing for almost two years now. To say it’s been difficult to watch it be live streamed through social media is an understatement. I’ve felt so many things as I’ve seen atrocities unfold on my screen surrounded by a friend’s latest hike, advertisements for the best stain resistant couch, and our own democracy falling apart and refusing to respond to the realities it helped create. These past two years are only a sliver of the multi-generational displacement and human rights abuses Palestinians have endured. Many were pushed out of their homeland long before this genocide began.

This is one of many reasons why I wanted to focus on Gaza and Palestinians as I decided who to support through my upcoming first ever race. On September 13, I'll be running the Ned Ned Trail Half Marathon, and gathering support for volunteer-run Palestinian youth programs in Rashidieh Camp - a refugee camp in Tyre, South Lebanon.

Recently, my friend, Sameen, connected me with her former colleague at UNICEF, Huda. Huda is Palestinian and lives in Rashidieh Camp. She told me about the Al-Awda Mosque (meaning “right of return” referring to Palestinians right to return to their homeland) in the camp that provides a warm and inviting place for education, creative activities, summer camps, water days, and faith lessons for children living there. They serve 30 children regularly and expand to 80-120 with their summer programming. These 100% volunteer run programs are a beautiful example of the strength of this community.

Huda shared details about how her community rallies around the children - giving their time and limited resources. Volunteer mentors work tirelessly to ensure education continues year-round, including checking on school attendance, visiting classrooms, and meeting with parents. The relentless care gives children stability when their world feels uncertain, and families hope when they need it most.

As I attempt to run 13 miles at 9,000ft, I'll be channeling this resilience and the support you give Rashidieh Camp and me through this fundraiser. Thank you!

Background

The children we’ll support at Al-Awda Mosque represent generations of resilience. Their grandparents and great-grandparents were forcibly displaced from Palestine in 1948—77 years ago. Their parents were born and raised in Rashidieh Camp during Lebanon’s civil war (1975-1990) or its aftermath, inheriting statelessness. Today’s children (ages 4-18), who are the 4th and 5th generation, know no life beyond the camp walls.

As of 2023, UNRWA stated that there are 25,081 people living in the camp, including 9,000 children. The camp is only 248,426 square meters — less than .1 square mile.

When Israel recently bombed Lebanon, most couldn’t leave the camp to seek safety. They endured bombings in crowded alleyways—including one young boy from their classes who was martyred. These children have endured too much. They come to Al-Awda Mosque to find strength in faith and community.

Al-Awda Mosque has become a lifeline for kids: a place for learning, play, belonging, and faith. The programs are 100% volunteer-run. What they create with limited resources and a lot of heart brings smiles, stability, and hope to children in the camp. I’m proud to be able to support it alongside you through this fundraiser.

You can see the impact of their work on their facebook page .

Your support helps fund

A note from Huda:

Our children are extraordinary. Beyond textbooks, we teach them life! We teach them resilience, how to lead the mosque, support their families, and rise above hardship. They’ve got high skills, they handle responsibilities. Their achievements (and there are many!) will be our GIFT to you.

Suggested Giving Levels

$25: Supplies for 4 children to join weekly activities, covers notebooks, pens, and light snacks.

$50: Helps cover a day of summer programming for 5 children, covers a full day of activities including materials, meals, and supplies for the sports activities

$100: Supports a water-day/outdoor activity with supervision and transport for 12 children, covers transport, pool fees and supervision.

$250: fuels a week of youth activities for 15 children, supporting all the activities, tutoring, and games.

$500: anchors a full month of programming essentials, including education, fun activities, and faith circles for more than 20 children.

What you’ll receive

Any donation amount - Updates from Huda on how the money was used and an update from me on how the race went accompanied by photos from both of us.

$50+ - a personalized postcard with a photo of me from my race and a a snapshot of daily life/activities from Rashidieh Camp

$100+ - a creative special greeting from a child at Rashidieh Camp and a personalized postcard from me with a photo of my race

I’m raising these funds personally to support Al Awda Mosque in Camp Rashidieh in Tyre, Lebanon. All donations will be sent to my close friend, Sameen's, UN bank account and then sent to Huda's UN account in USD. She will then make sure all the funds go to the programs outlined here. I will upload proof of transfer to Huda and programmatic impact from the funds. Donations are not tax-deductible. Al Awda Mosque is not on any U.S. sanctions list; I’ve confirmed via the U.S. Treasury/OFAC public lists.