Fakhoora's First Graduate: A DEEP Story
Majdoleen Abu Loli is 21 years old and lives in the Al Shwka suburb in Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip. Majdoleen joined Al Fakhoora’s Dynamic Futures Program in 2009 and majored in accounting at the Finance and Management College in Al Aqsa University – Khan Younis branch.
Coming from a family of ten encountering hard and challenging livelihood conditions, Majdoleen was very ambitious and wanted to make a real difference in her life. “I wanted to be the top student in my university and in my field, and I wanted to have a chance to gain employment and help my family” Majdoleen said.
In record setting three years, Majdoleen graduated from university, with a very high cumulative GPA of 89.3%. Majdoleen has been officially named as the FIRST Al Fakhoora graduate.
“I am proud of being an Al Fakhoora student, the scholarship itself was very generous and has reduced the financial load on my family, and allowed me not to worry about school fees, which helped me a lot to focus on my studies – I am really proud of being the FIRST Graduate.” Majdoleen stated
In the summer of 2012 Majdoleen received her certificate, “That was the best day of my life. I was so happy with what I had achieved; I had always wanted to be among the best students, and I studied so hard so I could graduate early, get a job, help my family and start my career”
During the summer of 2012, Majdoleen joined the International Computer Driving License training (specialized computer literacy training) at the University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS). Majdoleen believed that the training was a great chance to improve her skills that employers need.
“I have to be optimistic, though, the jobs are very limited in Gaza, and I have been searching since some time for a job, I know now, that its very challenging, and employers needs lots of skills and experience” Majdoleen said.
For Majdoleen “The chance that I have got through Al Fakhoora was really great, not only the scholarship but also the activities that we had, I can still remember the summer camp that we had in the first year, it was great to get us into a new environment.”
Majdoleen's family also benefitted from a micro-project in 2011. Majdoleen's father was almost unemployed. Working in a small shop near the market, he had some business management expertise. The DEEP team assessed their resources and needs, and agreed to start a business of "Renting Chairs". A shop opened and Al Fakhoora/ DEEP supported the family by buying chairs and tables, and other equipment used in outdoor wedding parties, public events (Waleema) or Funeral Houses.
Majdoleen's father, Yousef, is making good progress with his shop and stated "We are so proud of our business, it was a gift from God, as we always felt that we were being left behind. The project is progress, but our business reflects the overall situation in Gaza. Due to the blockade, people are trying to minimize the costs of funerals or weddings as much as possible, but still we have good business, generating around $ 200 a month, and that is much better than nothing."
Beginning in the middle of April 2013, Majdoleen began a paid internship for the sole landline operator in the Gaza Strip.
"This is start. Despite that the job is located in Gaza city, which is a bit far from my home; I accepted it to enrich my CV. This is what they need in Gaza, rich CVs and lots of experience. I still have strong hope for the future."
Mozna Abumery, Al-Fakhoora Dynamic Futures Program Manager in the United Nations Development Programme, commented on Majdoleen “I am very proud of this young lady as the first graduate of the program. She is a unique girl, coming for a marginalized area in the Gaza Strip, and having the determination to make a life achievement to help build a career and help her family. Majdoleen has been stunning in finishing her degree in this short time and with a very good mark. Gender wise, this also says a lot about the capabilities of Palestinian girls”
