Students fundraise for the people of Gaza

Distance Massey student Lina, originally from Iraqi in the Middle East, is fundraising for her good friend and trapped Palestinian, Walaa.  

Walaa is 24-years-old and recently graduated from medicine. She has been unable to further her studies due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.  

Walaa has five siblings, all who have been denied the opportunity to continue their studies, including her youngest sister, Sama, who is 13.  

The Massey Students Justice in Palestine (SJP) are starting their fundraiser raffle for Walaa, with student’s art and crafts for sale on the Wellington campus.  

Walaa’s GoFundMe has raised over $85,000, just over halfway to the goal that will help herself and her family evacuate when the borders reopen.  

The Diverse Minds club in Palmerston North are asking students to show support by buying items such as photos, poems, art, affirmation cards, crochet accessories and a raffle ticket for a crochet blanket.  

Jess Goodman, the president of Diverse Minds said she really wanted to be able to utilise the amazing community of people connected to the club to to make a positive impact on people who are going through unimaginable trauma and loss.  

“The more money we raise, the more families we can help.”  

All proceeds will go to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRAW). This is a key organisation out of many that aim to provide relief in Gaza, such as food, medical aid, shelter and much more.  

Goodman said $40 will provide one family with lifesaving food and drinking water, while $65 will provide a winterisation kir for one family, and $200 will contribute to safer shelters for displaced families. 

Goodman sympathised with the people of Palestine, “Reading about the horrific events happening in Gaza, and knowing the unimaginable trauma, horror and loss these people are facing, I really wanted to help in some way.”