I am Anas Alfarra, a 24-year-old Palestinian from the Gaza Strip now living in the United States. Lady luck has no doubt been very kind to me as have many well wishers, steadfast supporters and mentors along the way. However without early access to a quality education I never would have had the chance to pursue so many tremendous opportunities. Access to a quality education in my native birthplace and adopted homeland of the United States has been the foundation on which I stand today. One State Department Summer Exchange Program, One Undergraduate in Computer Engineering & Business Administration and One Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (Digital VLSI Design) later I am working as an Intellectual Property Engineer working on the front-lines of a pioneering field of endless possibilities.
Article 26 (1) of the Universal Deceleration of Human Rights states that, “Everyone has the right to education.” UNESCO underscores the value of education as a fundamental human right, “and essential for the exercise of all other human rights.” And yet the truth remains that this very fundamental human right is still denied to so many children across the world who are afflicted by poverty.
I am one of the very lucky ones but for so many other young people in the world education remains out of reach and this loss of human potential has devastating consequences for all of us in the global community. Never before has the call for educating young people felt so urgent and it is for this reason that I am reaching out to you today to ask that you help support my campaign to raise awareness and funds for the GRAVIS program through the Climb For Asha.
The GRAVIS program improves the lives of villagers in the Thar Desert of Western India through children’s education, self-help groups for women, water-harvesting wells, and health camps. This short video shows the GRAVIS projects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPrPDVLa49Q.
For details about Asha, a nonprofit humanitarian organization, and the Climb for Asha program, please visit these links:
http://seattle.ashanet.org/
http://seattle.ashanet.org/home/team-asha/climb/
As part of the required training, I’ve already made the following climbs this spring with the Climb for Asha team:Tiger Mountain Cable Line; Mt. Si; Mailbox (old trail); Lake Tenerife; Kamikaze Falls; Mt. Saint Helens, Mt. Adams, & Mt. Baker!
My final climb this summer will be:
Mt. Rainier (in June 30th, a 3-4 day climb).
Climbing Mt. Rainier (+14000 ft. elevation), the highest point in the Pacific Northwest, during Ramadan—when I will be fasting from dawn to dusk—holds special meaning for me. In addition to being the high point of my mental, spiritual, and physical journey, standing on the mountaintop will be a triumphant contrast to the highest point in I knew in Gaza just a few years ago—a mere flat surface, pockmarked with the after-effects of a war that continues to devastate the lives of the civilian population that lives there.
I am very grateful for your support, whether it is through well wishes, financial donations, or by spreading the word. Your pledge of support gives new energy to my efforts to bring hope and progress to the people of the Thar Desert—especially the children. No amount is to little and all efforts to partner in any way you can is much appreciated!