Extraordinary Resolve
Reflecting on 2024, one truth stands undeniable: the students we work with at LE.O are extraordinary.
Over the years, we have tried to share with you their lived reality – a daily battle against crushing poverty, restricted movement, and a maze of identification requirements and travel regulations. Our students face a stark landscape: limited study opportunities, scarce mentorship, and the weight of cultural adjustment. For those who secure precious scholarships abroad, separation from family and community becomes another burden to bear. Even those we sponsor in their “home countries” face their own steep mountains to climb.
We hope we have shown you, even in glimpses, what it means to be part of the LE.O student community. Their path demands great sacrifice – long hours bent over books, unwavering focus, and fierce dedication to learning. As we often say: failure is not an option.
However, it is their extraordinary resolve to keep moving forward no matter what, that stands out this year. A year of unimaginable suffering, that will be etched in our collective hearts forever.
We end this year with hope burning in our hearts and a vision of a brighter year to come.
Our achievements this year reflect the strength of our community:
- A testament to unbreakable spirit: From the ashes of tragedy, one of our students rose. In 2014, she survived the bombing in Gaza that took most of her family. This month, through LE.O’s support at an Egyptian university, she achieved her dream – becoming a doctor. Her triumph resonates through her surviving family and our entire LE.O community.
- Building bridges for Gaza’s future: We spread our outreach and advised, through our years of field work and knowledge, other programs that wanted to support education – we helped them and guided them through vital partnerships with organizations and individuals who share our commitment to Gazan education, dramatically expanding our ability to support more students.
- The Gaza Medical Initiative: We established this pioneering program supporting over 150 Gazan medical and dental students studying across Egyptian universities, addressing their comprehensive needs as they advance through their journey – from medical school preparation through post-graduate training. Our holistic support focuses on professional development, including language preparation, and working to secure residency placements throughout the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the United States.
- Opening doors at universities world-wide: We’ve become trusted advisors to higher education institutions, helping them understand the unique challenges and extraordinary potential of students from Palestine.
- Amplifying student voices: Through our enhanced Instagram presence, we’ve shared powerful stories of resilience and achievement, building a global community of support.
- Growing stronger together: Our community expanded as more dedicated members joined LE.O’s daily operations and strategic planning, bringing fresh energy and ideas to our mission.
For nearly a decade, your generosity has powered our mission to change lives through education. As we mark our 10th anniversary in 2025, we invite you to strengthen this legacy of change. Your donation today will help us expand our reach and deepen our impact, ensuring that even more ambitious students can access life-changing educational opportunities. Be part of our next chapter of transformation.
All of us in the LEO community are deeply grateful for your support and dedication. We extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones.