Please Support the Hope Fund Program

August 11, 2015Dear Friends,I have not previously made a  clear appeal for donations in my introduction to IMPACT. This issue will be an exception.  Why?  Because on short notice Amideast agreed to assume direct responsibility for the Hope Fund, a program aimed at helping academically talented, but financially needy, Palestinian high school graduates to win admission to U.S. colleges and universities. 

On April 1, 2015, the program was handed over to us. This academic year we will have 45 Palestinian students on scholarship at a variety of private colleges. Their generous scholarships generally require a co-pay of $3,500 to $4,500.  Many of these students also require money for travel to their colleges, computers, books, and supplies, health insurance, health co-pays, dental work, summer lodging/travel, and to cover inevitable, but unforeseen contingencies. 

On average, we need $7,500 per student per annum, once they are accepted at a U.S. colleges, not even counting the substantial labor and overhead charges that Amideast is incurring in administering this program.  Yet, what a travesty it would be to force these young people to turn down these life-changing opportunities because no one would meet the remaining 15% or so of their educational expenses. 
 
Please click the Hope Fund donation link on our website and give today, right now, whatever you can.  Quality education is recognized by almost all experts as one means of lifting individuals and families out of poverty and building strong economies and societies. These young people have achieved far beyond what anyone had a right to expect, in view of the challenges they have faced every day of their young  lives.  Please help us show them that high character and hard work are still rewarded in this world. 

Theodore H. Kattouf
President & CEO