Heeba Sarsour
Heeba, with PCRF patient Anan
Tell us about yourself, and how you came to be involved with PCRF
I am first and foremost a mom of four. I am also a wife and a college student working towards a degree in early childhood education and autism intervention.
I am the Eastern North Carolina chapter president. I first learned about this organization from a sister of mine who was involved with another of its chapters. After that, I began following them on social media and learning more about their work. Few weeks later, I decided to reach out to my community, where I learned of their support. In 2013, we started our chapter.
What has it been like working with PCRF?
The PCRF is an amazing organization. What stands out most to me about the PCRF is its transparency. You always know where your money is going. The teams overseas are very good at documenting the projects and efforts so donors see what has been done, what else needs work and what more they can do to help.
What inspires you to do the work you do?
What inspires me is my ability to be able to do something for my brothers and sisters in Palestine. Palestine is where my parents were born, where my roots are. There is no worse feeling then hearing and seeing what takes place in Palestine and Syria and across the Middle East really, and not being able to help. So the PCRF gives me the ability to do that.
What’s the most challenging aspect of working with PCRF?
The most challenging would probably have to be, keeping people interested. In my city, there aren’t many Arabic based nonprofits. So for some the PCRF is all they know. You don’t want to keep feeding them the same information, the same issues. Its hard because as much as the PCRF has helped and are helping, the Palestinian people will always need help. As long as there is occupation, the PCRF will be there. So many families depend on them.
Your chapter, in North Carolina, is made up of many women. How has this contributed to the success of PCRF?
I think the fact that it’s been rated 4 stars on Charity Navigator says a lot about the female directors and their contributions. Women have a determination in them, especially when it comes to children, to do whatever they can, no matter how small or how large. Honestly, I am grateful to the PCRF because I feel like it gave a platform to women overseas to get into the nonprofit, charitable work.
How can people help out and get involved?
There are multiple ways people could help the PCRF. The PCRF is always in need of donations. There is so much tragedy and suffering in Palestine. We cannot house, heal, rebuild, and feed those who need it most without donations. You could also consider volunteering for your local chapter. You could do fundraisers, where money raised will go to the PCRF The possibilities are endless. Or simply raise awareness.
Tell us about some of PCRF’s Ramadan initiatives.
PCRF’s Ramadan campaign is a campaign dedicated to Syrian refugees in Gaza, Jordan and Lebanon who are victims of conflict in their war torn countries. We want those suffering to know we have not forgotten about them. The PCRF’s field teams in Jordan, Lebanon, and Gaza have identified Syrian families who were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. They are in desperate need of basic necessities such as medication, clothing, and food. Some of the individuals identified are children that have been injured in the conflict and have lost limbs and are in urgent need of medical treatment. Through this campaign, the PCRF’s promise to the Syrian refugees is to secure their needs through humanitarian aid sponsorships and arranging for medical treatment.
Each day in Ramadan we will be sharing a story of a Syrian refugee family. We are asking for your support in spreading awareness of this very important campaign and sharing our posts on your social media sites.
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