Hala’s Here!
HALA’S HERE ! From Iraq to DePaul University
Because of the invasion of Iraq, Hala took refuge in Syria to complete her high school education. One day, while doing volunteer work with the Red Crescent, she met Gabe Huck and Theresa Kubasak, formerly of Evanston and now residing in Damascus.
Determined to help rebuild Iraq, Gabe and Theresa have founded the Iraqi Student Project (ISP) specifically to assist talented young people like Hala, whose lives have been disrupted by war. With one out of six Iraqis displaced from their homes and basics like electricity still lacking, most young Iraqis are living in limbo, their lives and education interrupted by war and occupation. The ISP enables them to get the higher education they need so they can return to help rebuild their country.
Here’s how the ISP works: ISP staff and volunteers in the United States convince American universities to grant tuition waivers for qualified Iraqi students. Gabe and Theresa screen applicants carefully and help them to improve their English and navigate government paperwork. Local support groups then raise the funds to bring the students to the U.S. and provide personal support while they’re here.
That’s where we fit in–and YOU! DePaul University has granted a generous four-year tuition waiver to Hala, and local supporters need to raise an additional $12,000 each year so she can take advantage of the waiver. This money will be used for travel, visa fees, books, supplies, housing, and living expenses.
Can you contribute to this simple and personal project to begin repairing the damage done to Iraq? Send your check today to the address on the right. Then explore this site, looking particularly at how your group can help raise funds for Hala’s four years in Chicago. Download, print, and distribute our brochure and ask your friends for donations, personalizing a letter from our sample.
Hala arrived in Chicago on August 24 and began classes a week later. She is doing very well in her DePaul classes and working for the DePaul Law School International Center for Human Rights. She has spoken at several area events and enjoys meeting her many supporters. Send a welcome to Hala by posting a comment under “Getting to Know Hala”.
Check back often for events where you can meet her; By the way, we have removed her picture and last name because of concerns about her family’s safety.
Thank you so much for joining us to work for peace in the world!
Betty Jane Wagner
Rosalie Riegle
Margaret Sents
Elizabeth Mertic
Margaret Feit Clarke
The DePaul Support Group Core Committee
Thursday, October 1st, 2009, by roriegle and is filed under "Uncategorized ". leave a response here, or send a Trackback from your own site.