Dear Friends:
While Gaza remains cut off from the world and thousands are stranded at the border, The Rebuilding Alliance has launched an important initiative. If they receive enough donations in the next 24 hours to maintain their lead, they could win an important financial victory, help in the effort to make Palestinian causes mainstream, and tell the people in Gaza that there are Americans who care about them. Please forward widely.
Thank you,
Rachel's Words
Kathleen Chalfant, Sally Eberhardt, Jen Marlowe, Ann Petter,
Brian Pickett, Dave Reed, Suzy Salamy, Tom Wallace
www.rachelswords.org
Dear Friends,
GlobalGiving.com informed us that our project, the Rachel Corrie Rebuilding Campaign, is narrowly leading their international competition. We have 24 hours to maintain this lead and win an important victory. Please donate before 11:59 EST on Friday, July 27!
Please help rebuild the next home in the Rachel Corrie Rebuilding Campaign in Gaza, the home of physiotherapist Ali Al Bahry and his family. Donate now at GlobalGiving and help us win an additional $5000, $3000, or $2000 for this project through an eBay match.
1. Why build this home in Gaza now? Our partner from Gaza, Mr. Husam El Nounou, Public Relations Director for Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, came to the U.S. in June to raise funds for this home. On return he became stranded Egypt, and remains there unable to return to his home and family in Gaza. Credible reports indicate some 5,000-6,000 Palestinians are stuck in Rafah and Al-Areesh and another 30,000 spread throughout Egypt as the blockade of Gaza enters its second month. Husam's colleague, Dr. Mona El Farrah, lost her mother, unable to see her one last time.
Being home, going home, rebuilding home -- our work is about all of that. Our projects are symbols of hope that help rebuild shattered communities and offer people around the world immediate ways to make peace, starting with the tangible support of a family's right to a home. We ask your help to rebuild a home for the Al Bahry family, and we also ask you to pick up your phone to ask Congress to speak out against this grueling blockade. Donate now
2. Rebuilding during the blockade of Gaza? Yes, we can because we just did! The Rebuilding Alliance completed the first home in the Rachel Corrie Rebuilding Campaign in Gaza on May 24 2007. We built it for the Nasrallah family, the family Rachel Corrie sought to protect when she stood before the Israeli Army D-9 Caterpillar bulldozer that threatened their home. When friends and family saw the home that American families helped build, they volunteered their time and talent to help finish it off right.
3. But how can the Rebuilding Alliance build this house during a blockade, when all imports of building materials have stopped and even the U.N. has called-off construction projects? Everyone is pitching in. Dr. Eyad El Sarraj is taking the list of materials to every contractor he knows to ask if they can spare ten cubic meters of concrete, or a re-bar or two.
"The first step starts with the drawings for the home. An engineering consultancy company in Gaza may want to provide this service as a donation from their company," writes Khaled Nasrallah, an expert in logistics and part of the family Rachel Corrie sought to protect. "The next step is to get the approval from the engineering association which also may be for free or with a big discount. This phase is the beginning and can show the world that the Gaza community still seeks to work in a healthy environment and uphold its responsibilities."
Then the family goes to the municipality to confirm title of the land and apply for water and electricity. Please note that this may not be easy: The Palestinian Center for Human Rights, in urgent call to save the judicial system, also reports that the system of permits, taxes, and fees has been suspended. By applying for a permit and doing this publicly with reports back to you, our donors, we'll find out where things stand.
The next step is building and that starts with clearing land and digging. Our team will be asking the Gaza community to help, a brave step for all who step forward.
4. Can you still transfer funds to the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme for this project? Yes, because the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme is a non-governmental organization, fully in compliance with the U.S. Patriot Act. Funds transfers to Palestinian NGOs for humanitarian projects are allowed.
5. Will rebuilding this house in Gaza somehow help the current government(s)?
No, because ours is a non-governmental project all the way. Construction is supervised by the Rebuilding Alliance's engineer, the Al Bahry family, and our NGO partner in Gaza, the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme. Dr. Eyad El Sarraj at GCMHP is just one of many colleagues who speaks out against injustice no matter where it originates.
6. How does the Global Giving contest work? GlobalGiving.com is offering all projects in their filmfest competition the exclusive opportunity to receive $5,000, $3,000 or $2,000! Thanks to the generosity of one of GlobalGivings most valued partners, eBay, three of the pioneering projects will receive these additional funds.
7. How can I help? Please Donate Now via the GlobalGiving website and forward this message to your mailing list.
It is a brave move for a family to rebuild during a blockade. Your support means everything.
In rebuilding peace,
Donna Baranski-Walker
Executive Director of the Rebuilding Alliance
P.S. Heres a script that can help with your calls to Congress. Urge your senators and congressperson to speak out against this blockade and help Husam El Nounou, Dr. Mona Al Farra and thousands more return home.
P.P.S. Rebuilding Alliance board member, Jenni Fischer, has created a blog primarily dedicated to her Run for Peace, a 31.3 mile trail run she is undertaking for her 30th birthday as a fundraiser for The Rebuilding Alliance. It is called, "The Good Long Road." Check it out at http://jennifischer.blogspot.com/.
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The Rebuilding Alliance, a 501c3 nonprofit organization (EIN 56-2392452), rebuilds homes and communities in regions of war and occupation. We advocate for government policies towards these regions based on human rights and international law. Through a mutual commitment to justice, we create alliances among our supporters, partners, and those who suffer injustice and violence, yet resist through rebuilding. Our projects are symbols of hope that help rebuild shattered communities and offer people around the world immediate ways to make peace, starting with the tangible support of a family's right to a home.
Donations are tax deductible in the U.S. Donate Now
The Rebuilding Alliance
457 Kingsley Avenue
Palo Alto, California 94301
United States
phone: 650 325-4663
fax: 650 325-4667
email: info@RebuildingAlliance.org
www.RebuildingAlliance.org
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For more information, actions you can take to spread Rachel's words, and updates on efforts to bring the play "My Name Is Rachel Corrie" around the world, visit http://www.rachelswords.org
Please consider a financial donation to the effort. You can donate online securely at http://www.rachelswords.org/donate
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