The Scholarships for Gh4zza Mentorship Initiative
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For the past 350 days, the continuous Israeli bombardment on Gh4zza has wiped out all of the educational institutions and has made Gh4zza unbearable to live in. 12 universities have been bombed, 378 schools have been destroyed or damaged, and over 4327 students, 231 teachers, and 91 university professors have been killed.
Most of the students now are looking for food, water, and shelter. They mostly are looking for basic needs…
The Scholarships for Ghazza Initiative (SFG) is a volunteer-based mentorship program that provides vital educational support to students in Gh4zza and those displaced from Gh4zza, who are seeking higher education opportunities. From undergraduate to postdoctoral levels, the initiative provides personalized support, helping students navigate applications, identify scholarship opportunities, and gain access to higher education institutions around the world. While English language support is available, the program’s primary focus is on facilitating access to global academic opportunities through mentorship and match-making with experts in various academic fields.
Ahmed Issa started SFG after safely evacuating from Gh4zza with his wife and two boys where they lived through seven months of the genocide. Ahmed promised that once safe, he would help Palestinian students secure funded scholarships to study abroad. The program also honors the memory of his late mentor and friend, Omar Ziara.
Over 450 mentors from around the globe have joined the program and 250 students from Gh4zza across various disciplines. These dedicated mentors provide step-by-step guidance toward securing fully funded scholarships abroad.
The initiative’s primary goals are to:
Introduce hope: This initiative aims to provide a sense of hope and purpose to students whose educational journeys have been abruptly brought to a halt by the genocide. By connecting them with mentors and educational opportunities, the program helps them reconstruct pathways toward the future.
Facilitate access to higher education: The program supports Gh4zzan students in their pursuit of scholarships, university applications, and admission into higher education programs abroad.
Assist in navigating the application process: Mentors work closely with students to curate university applications and develop strong personal statements, CVs, and recommendation letters that highlight their academic achievements and experiences.
Provide English language training: Mentors work with students to improve their English proficiency and help them prepare for standardized English language exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo.
Why We Need to Fundraise:
We need your help to ensure the success of this program and support the ambitions of students. Here’s why fundraising is crucial:
Contribute to partially-funded scholarships: The program’s goal is to assist students in receiving fully-funded scholarships to universities abroad. While this may not always be the case, the initiative aims to support students who have received partially funded scholarships.
Standardized Tests and Application Fees: The costs of standardized English language exams are often prohibitive for Gh4zzan students. For example:
- TOEFL in Egypt costs USD 205
- IELTS in Egypt costs USD 155
- Duolingo English Test costs USD 60 (the only exam available to students online)
- The costs of university application fees can sometimes be waived. If not, fees can range between USD 50 and 150.
Access to the Internet and Resources: Many students lack reliable Internet access, which is crucial for online education and exam preparation. We plan to provide funds for students making use of coworking hubs in Gh4zza and provide eSIMs, giving students access to high-speed internet so they can prepare and take exams without interruption.
Administrative Costs: To keep the program running smoothly, we need funds to support essential administrative tasks, including organizing mentorships and providing student support services.
For more information about the initiative, you can reach out to us at
[email redacted]
If you would like to become a mentor and have academic and scholarship mentoring experience you can fill out the intake form:
If you need other ways to donate;
Organizer
Ahmed Issa
Organizer