MECA’s Programs

Over the past 35 years, the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) has distributed more that $30 million in direct aid and funding for grassroots initiatives.  MECA has been working for the rights and well-being of children and refugees in Palestine and Lebanon to address the suffering and deprivation caused by war, sanctions, and occupation.  We are committed to meeting children’s basic survival needs and also their right to play, learn, and dream. Below is an overview of some of the programs we fund:

Community Projects for Children

MECA supports Palestinian grassroots organizations, primarily in refugee camps, that provide a myriad of activities including:

dance · music · art ·  drama · soccer · biking · basketball

library and media activities · computer training

psychosocial and legal support

The Maia Project: Bringing Clean Water to the Children of Palestine

The Maia Project is an ongoing initiative to address one of the worst features of Israeli occupation—the systematic deprivation of clean, safe water—by providing funds to install drinking water units in schools, kindergartens and pre-schools throughout Gaza where 97% of water is unfit for human consumption. Currently 80 units are serving more than 100,000 students, school staff, and families living nearby.

University Scholarships

MECA provides more than 100-140 scholarships each year to Palestinian university students so they can obtain degrees, and the skills to make important contributions to their communities and their country. The students hail from Palestinian villages, refugee camps, towns and cities. Their fields of study are as diverse as their dreams for the future.

Playgrounds

Since the early 1990’s MECA has built 15 of playgrounds in Palestinian cities, villages, and refugee camps. We currently work with the Riwaq or Centre for Architectural Conservation to include playgrounds in their “50 villages project,” which restores the historic centers of Palestinian villages, especially those vulnerable to Israeli destruction or confiscation.

Visit MECA’s website to learn more about our programs and other events: https://www.mecaforpeace.org/