Friends,
An Alliance member received this appeal from the Middle East Children’s Alliance. Please read and if the spirit moves you, contribute to their work!
“As the Maia Project Coordinator for the Middle East Children’s Alliance, when I visit schools in Gaza and see children drinking clean, safe water I know that you are there with me.
As a supporter of the Maia Project, you have helped MECA provide drinking water to nearly 100,000 pre-school, elementary, and middle school students throughout the Gaza Strip. And last year, we started installing units that serve entire communities.
I am pleased to tell you that after schools were closed for many months due to COVID and then Israeli bombing damaged many roads, MECA has recently completed the installation of two new water purification units for approximately 9,600 people in two remote Gaza villages.
Since the pandemic lockdowns started in Gaza more than a year ago, I was waiting to get to schools to check the Maia water desalination and purification units. For the many months the schools were closed I worried about the condition of the units.
Then the Israeli bombs fell on Gaza. Thousands of people who fled their homes in search of safety took refuge in schools with Maia units and were able to get clean water. At the same time the bombing and blockade made work on the units more difficult and more expensive.
After the Israeli bombing in May, I left my home to check on the water units. I was shocked by what I saw. So much destruction all around me and many of the roads I used to reach the schools were horribly damaged or destroyed.
As you know, we face many challenges living in and working in Gaza. But MECA and I are committed to doing this work no matter what. And with your support we find ways to continue providing clean water to thousands of children every day, as we have for the last twelve years.
Thank you for your solidarity and your support.
Ghada Mansi
Maia Project Coordinator
P.S. At this moment I don’t know how long it will take to get all the Maia units in Gaza up and running--because of the damaged roads, the Israeli blockade, and the school lockdowns that may happen again.
Go to their website to donate.
Caption for photo below: Photo: Just after the bombing, MECA provided water tanks filled with safe, clean drinking water to 100 families who didn't have any running water due to the damage to water infrastructure.
