Hello Everyone

Americans for Palestinian Orphans (APO) was established in response to the profound and urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis faced by Gaza’s orphans. Our story began with a stark realization: the plight of these children demanded not just sympathy, but dedicated and compassionate action.

The seeds of APO were sown during a time of intense crisis. At our founding, Gaza was home to approximately 22,000 orphaned children, yet there was only one functioning orphanage available to care for them. This overwhelming reality was a call to action for Dr. Mai Abdul Rahman, founder and president of the American Palestinian Women’s Association (APWA). Driven by a deep commitment to humanitarian principles and extensive experience in addressing complex humanitarian needs, Dr. Abdul Rahman recognized the immediate and critical need for an organization solely focused on alleviating the suffering of these young lives.

Under Dr. Abdul Rahman’s leadership, APWA achieved remarkable milestones, including supporting Palestinian women by promoting their products, funding critical medical facilities like Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, and building a guest room at Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem to assist families facing barriers to care. APWA also delivered hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies to students across Palestinian territories and supported educational programs for children with special needs. These accomplishments reflect Dr. Abdul Rahman’s dedication and effectiveness in driving impactful change.

Dr. Abdul Rahman’s experience with APWA, coupled with her research into youth homelessness in Washington, D.C., has profoundly shaped her approach to addressing Gaza’s orphan crisis. Leveraging this background, she founded APO with the mission to provide safe, nurturing environments for Gaza’s orphans, aged 0-13. Our work includes the development of boarding schools designed to offer stability and care amid Gaza’s prolonged isolation and ongoing conflict. The region’s challenges—marked by recurring violence and the longest-standing blockade in modern history—have compounded the difficulties faced by orphans and obstructed essential humanitarian aid.

In 2021, APO achieved 501(c)(3) status, which has expanded our ability to engage the American public in supporting Gaza’s most vulnerable children. This nonprofit status enables us to mobilize resources and advocate for the fundamental human rights every child deserves, including access to education, healthcare, and safety. All contributions made to APO are used exclusively for our charitable mission.

At APO, we believe that every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves compassion and support. Our mission is to ensure that Gaza’s orphans not only survive but thrive, with the hope of building a brighter future. The urgency of our mission has intensified. As of October 2023, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated further due to continued siege and heavy bombardment, leading to a collapse in medical, educational, and food resources, and an increase in unhoused and unaccompanied children.

While we focus on addressing these immediate needs, our long-term vision remains to establish infrastructures that ensure lasting stability and care for Gaza’s orphans. Through your support, we strive to bring hope and a brighter future to these resilient young lives.
Regards
Dr.Afshan Hashmi
www.afshanhashmi.com
www.drafshanhashmi.com
https://www.drafshanhashmisradio.com/