Dear Friends,
This month we would like to celebrate the fact that LE.O exists thanks to each one of you, the members of our LE.O Community. Without your drive, dedication and hard work, LE.O would never have been founded, it would not exist. And without your participation, it would not be the resounding success it has become.
We look forward to continuing our work, but we urgently need your ongoing contributions to make that a reality.
Inspired by the lifelong commitment and work of Dr. Graham Leonard to the education of the People of Palestine, LE.O is the product of our vision to empower ourselves: bright and motivated Palestinian students who have transcended poverty, violence and under resourced schools to achieve our dreams of higher education.
Dr. Graham Leonard and Dr. Farouk Shami, besides a photo of Sheikh Mohammed Shami.
Dr. Leonard and Sheikh Shami, in Ramallah early 1950’s.
It started with an idea. And with time, passion and commitment, our Community has now grown, thrived, and benefited all of our members for 5 years.
Lead Mentor Samer, working on college prep with a student via skype.
Supporting each other: Mohammed chaperoning Nour from airport to bus station for her trip to her campus, Egypt.
Omar introducing Freshman Mahmoud to his favorite coffee house and cookies.
Our community is organized and managed by our scholars and founder, for our scholars. We are supported by our Board members, Donors, Mentors, Host Families, Volunteers, Partners, Academic Institutions and all the other members of our Community who also participate in their own ways, and are an essential part of our ongoing success.
Fuad arriving on campus.
Mohamed being greeted at airport by Host Family.
Board member, Host Family and supporters attending graduation, holding photos of family back home on West Bank.
Donor The Toledo Hotel, Amman, hosting a student through transit.
Mother sewing embroidered items for sale to help support son’s book expenses in the US.
Aya studying in Gaza, receives her parents full support and encouragement.
Donia (Tulkarm) had her teeth fixed by our generous donors who have a dental practice.
Our participation, along with our commitment to giving back, and to sharing our skills, triumphs and sacrifices, is what allows us to create a better future for us all, and what gives us the institutional continuity to support our members in the long term.
Ahmed teaching youth in his camp in Baalbek, Lebanon during the summer break.
Hadeel volunteering in a hospital in Gaza.
Mohamed (Palestine ’48) volunteering at a school in the US.
Her Excellency Ambassador Feda Abdlehady-Nasser introducing LE.O students at a presentation hosted by The Arab Institute for Women, in NYC.
LE.O Board members at fundraiser in Houston, Texas.
Deya’ presenting at an education conference, in the US.
Thank you all so much for helping us to make LE.O a reality!
Here are some ways you can make a huge difference right now:
- Contribute money by sending a check or using the link below
- Organize a fundraising event amongst your friends
- Create an internship, or other learning opportunity for one of our students at your place work
- Serve as a Host Family for one of our students
- Join one of our Advisory Boards
Please contact us directly to learn more!
Deya’ Leonard Dresner
Executive Director