One of ARAHA’s keystone programs is education, with an emphasis on serving refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). These populations are living in limbo, locked up in refugee camps without the ability to sustain themselves. Because they are often strangers to the countries they flee to, refugees are unable to work, travel, or find other means of regaining their livelihoods. They remain in a cycle of poverty, dependant on charity and aid organizations.  

The best, proven solution ARAHA has found to this problem is education. When the children stuck in these refugee camps have a chance to learn, it gives them a massive advantage and a chance to improve their futures as well as those of others in the camps. This is why ARAHA has built two high schools in Shegerab refugee camp in Sudan. Every year over 80 refugee students graduate from these schools, which are the only ones in the camp of over 35,000 people.

The next best step for many of these students is to study at universities, where they can further their education. ARAHA has put a scholarship fund in place for the brightest graduates.

But schools and scholarships don’t fund themselves. They are ongoing and often large expenses, and to keep them running, continuous support is required.

Fortunately, ARAHA and the refugee students of Shegerab have the generous backing of Holy Land Grocery and Deli as well as its owner, Majdi Wadi.

A socially responsible business with a concern for humanitarian issues, Holy Land has long been an involved donor and benefactor of ARAHA’s programs, contributing more than $127,000 over the past several years.

As just the latest example, in 2017 Holy Land sponsored scholarships for 15 refugee students from Shegerab refugee camp. Scholarships cover tuition fees, food, hostel fees, and transportation for the student for the minimum time required to graduate. These high school graduates will be going to college to continue their educations and attain even greater heights for themselves and their families.

In addition to these 15, Holy Land has committed to sponsoring an additional 5 refugee graduates every year for the next several years, to reach a total of 60 students sent to college.

Going even further than support for individual students, Holy Land is almost single-handedly supporting one of ARAHA’s two high school in Shegerab with multiple donation options onsite in their store–which, to date, have contributed more than $33,000 towards the school–as well as through direct monthly donations.

Holy Land’s generous long-term partnership with ARAHA, and its commitment to educating students in need, makes it a wonderful role model for other businesses to follow.   

Support Holy Land Scholarship Fund