Guest blogger George Zaidan sheds light on his memories of celebrating Christmas under occupation. He hopes his story will make you feel compelled to share your blessings with Palestine refugees this holiday season.

Professor George Pearson Smith is a Nobel Prize-winning American biologist, and a Curators' Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. He spoke to us on why he believes Palestine refugees deserve a life of dignity filled with education and empowerment.

“When asked how the situation in Gaza is, I find myself stumbling over my words trying to describe it in a way that inspires empathy and a sense of shared humanity.” UNRWA USA’s Communications Director, Laila Mokhiber continues the team’s recap on their field visit to Palestine in summer 2022.

UNRWA USA’s Director of Philanthropy Hani Almadhoun reflects on our latest Gaza 5K in the Bay Area on October 1st. The Gaza 5K was a huge success, which came as a pleasant surprise for our team as there has been a five-year hiatus since the last San Francisco event. The California wildfires coupled with the pandemic have kept UNRWA USA’s Gaza 5Ks within the virtual space, but we are ecstatic to finally be back with our supporters on the West Coast.

Harley Dority, UNRWA USA’s Community Engagement Manager writes about her team’s trip to Palestine in the summer of 2022.

700 words are not enough to capture my first trip to Palestine. Even words like ‘eye opening’ and ‘painful’ do not do it justice. This piece is the first of our Communications Team’s recap series to highlight our trip to Palestine in summer of 2022.

Like so many Palestinians looking for a place to plant roots and call home, my father searched for that all his life. Home for him was an elusive notion but always within reach. Having a safe haven for his family was a given but making it resemble the ‘B’lad’ (homeland) was another challenge. In honor of this Father’s Day, I will be making Knafeh and remembering the man who instilled in me pride in my heritage and everlasting love and yearning for Palestine.

Fadi Kiblawi is a lawyer based in Tokyo, Japan, and son of Nada Kiblawi. Nada is a Palestine refugee, a founding member of the UNRWA Alumni of North America, and a successful businesswoman. He is a contributing guest writer to the Voices of UNRWA blog, where he pays tribute to his mother and all Palestine refugee mothers in honor of Mother’s Day.

Join Nadia Tommalieh as she revisits a distinct childhood memory during Ramadan. Learn about her father’s refugee story and how to make your own date and cardamom bread.

Susannah Aziz is the Palestinian-American author of children’s book Halal Hot Dogs. Using her book proceeds, Susannah successfully matched $5,000 – dollar-for-dollar – of donations made towards UNRWA food assistance and orphan support last Ramadan. Thank you Susannah!