Yusra Abu Kwaik

Residing in Greensboro-North Carolina, United States

Palestinian

You must be the change you wish to see in the world", Mahatma Gandhi

You must be the change you wish to see in the world", Mahatma Gandhi
Admission Letter from Guilford College
Admission Letter from Guilford College
After 6 months of genocide in Gaza, edSeed give me the Eid gift, I reached Cairo and met Rama AlhumdAllah.
After 6 months of genocide in Gaza, edSeed give me the Eid gift, I reached Cairo and met Rama AlhumdAllah.
Learning Freelancing at Business and Technology Incubator #ITC #BTI
Learning Freelancing at Business and Technology Incubator #ITC #BTI
Training with "Go Digital" project on Remote accounting
Training with "Go Digital" project on Remote accounting
Uploaded 3 years ago.
Uploaded 3 years ago.
Virtual Work Readiness Program Training
Virtual Work Readiness Program Training
Islamic Relief Certificate of Attendance : Children Empowerment for a Better Future in Gaza
Islamic Relief Certificate of Attendance : Children Empowerment for a Better Future in Gaza
Certificate of Participation in training on Community Initiatives
Certificate of Participation in training on Community Initiatives
Certificate of Attendance at the School of Business and Management in the UK
Certificate of Attendance at the School of Business and Management in the UK

From Survival to Success: A Palestinian Woman's Journey of Resilience and Ambition

$15,701 of $47,890 target

Fall of 2024/2025

Help Yusra out, donate now!

Grant Matched by

Abdullatif Chakaki Fund

The Abdullatif Chakaki Fund was established in 2020 to support students in higher education that embody Abdullatif Chakaki’s values of educational excellence, integrity, generosity, pluralism, a love of learning and the natural world.

Campaign Start
Spring of Fourth Year | 24 Credit Hours
Fall of First Year | 32 Credit Hours

Yusra Abu Kwaik

Residing in Greensboro-North Carolina, United States

Palestinian

Prospective Degree

Business Administration
Guilford College
Professional Post Graduate

Prior/Current Education

Accounting
Al-Azhar University
Undergraduate

10,000 USD

Tuition

Tuition for master in Business and administration for 1 year "3 semesters"

7,500 USD

Room and Board

10-months accommodation in Guilford College in the United States.

7,500 USD

Living Expenses

Living Expenses for 10 months

1,250 USD

Flight fees

Flight fees from Egypt to the United States

200 USD

Cengage Unlimited Subscription

Cengage Unlimited Subscription to access Learning materials required for the MBA program

Story
Updates (4)
Comments (2)
Backers (41)
Blogs (2)

Palestinian; seeking Professional Post Graduate degree in Business Administration and is enrolled at Guilford College.

My name is Yusra, a Palestinian refugee from Gaza, accounting major.

I owe the university $4200 USD. I won't be able to receive my degree or be employed without paying the debt I owe.

My father called me "the busy bee". I was hardworking and always knew what it takes to succeed.

My parents did not have college degrees, but they always insisted that we give learning our best shot.

I love numbers. I have excellent computer skills, and good English, but lacked the financial means to cover my college cost. My aunt gave me her savings to pay for the first semester. She told me: "I will give you the first push then you are on your own. She believed in me. I felt I should not fail her.

I studied hard and tutored my classmates. I graduated with a 4.7 GPA.

I want to be the first successful female accountant in Gaza. I want to break the glass ceiling. Accounting is not only for men.

I have vision and am willing to challenge adversity. I am a passionate ambitious girl, and have many goals that I would like to pursue.

I consider knowledge a trust that each one of us must pass to others. My education is a community service. I will payback with interest.

Establishing a center to train young people on freelance work in remote accounting. I will focus on negotiation and communication skills and customer service.

When I work, I will allocate a percentage of my income to fund a project that supports orphaned children .

I will be a role model to others who can see that I triumphed over adversity and realized my dream. I come from a poor family but I did what I could to complete my education.

Today I am a student and tomorrow a donor, so I am very happy to volunteer with edSeed and help the students get the opportunity I got.

1-Volunteer with MA'AN Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship "Generation Free" in cooperation with UNICEF To find an idea for a project that supports and develops children's education

2-Volunteer as a project accountant with the Association for Rehabilitation and Social Training for Small Businesses for People with Disabilities

3-I volunteered with Islamic Relief within the project to enable a better future for the children of the Gaza Strip to help them express their opinions and make them brave and self-confident.

4-I was accepted for training in the field of self-employment in accounting within a project " go digital"

5-I presented a creative idea with my team within the hackathon competition to spread international humanitarian law

Certificate of Community Initiatives and Certificate of Advocacy and Political Influence.

2- Certificate of Employee Stress and Welfare Management from the Metro School of business and Management, UK.

3 Certificate of Creativity and problem solving from a metro-school of business and management UK.

4- Certificate of Remote Employment Skills and How to Build a Successful Resume from Challenge to Change foundation.

5- Life Skills at the Russell Center for Creativity.

6-Data analysis course within the One Million Arab Coders from Udacity platform

6- I continue to improve my English by watching TEDx.

4 months ago
Fall of First Year | 32 Credit Hours
Following the motto "the path is made by walking," I'm thrilled to announce my acceptance to Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, for an MBA program! Guilford College has generously awarded...
Fall of First Year | 32 Credit Hours
Following the motto "the path is made by walking," I'm thrilled to announce my acceptance to Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, for an MBA program!

Guilford College has generously awarded me a Presidential Fellowship, which will cover half of my tuition and living expenses. To achieve this dream, I still need to raise $3,500 per semester for three semesters to cover the remaining tuition, as well as $1,500 per month to cover the other half of my accommodation and living expenses.

Earning this degree will significantly enhance my business expertise, fortify my role as a Deal Pipeline Fellow at Transform.VC, and boost my competitiveness in the job market.
My family, the people of Gaza, and the world are anticipating and counting on my success.
Your support could turn this dream into reality.
Thank you for your consideration!
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4 months ago
Spring of Fourth Year | 24 Credit Hours
Hello! Yusra here. In 2022, my biggest dream of graduating debt-free became a reality thanks to your incredible support. I persevered and launched my career. Then, on October 7, 2023, a date I will ne...
Spring of Fourth Year | 24 Credit Hours
Hello! Yusra here.

In 2022, my biggest dream of graduating debt-free became a reality thanks to your incredible support. I persevered and launched my career. Then, on October 7, 2023, a date I will never forget—a devastating war turned my life upside down and forced me to rebuild what I had started. After being displaced three times and suffering many personal losses, I arrived in Cairo on April 11, 2024.

Despite the hardships, edSeed became my silver lining. With your help, a year ago, I had begun to spread my wings internationally. I secured an internship at Transform.VC, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, where I scouted potential startups throughout 2023. I became the first woman in Gaza to rise this far.

I also took on additional responsibilities, becoming the accountant for the TAMKEEN Fund at VIP.fund and volunteering as an accountant for edSeed. My tasks included reconciliation, preparing financial statements, using Stripe and Xero apps, scheduling payments, and communicating with universities, funds, and students.

These experiences have allowed me to support both myself and my family.
Will you stand with me again as I build on this silver lining? Thank you!
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7 months ago
In 2022, my only hope was to liberate my diploma. With your help I did. With perseverance and practice my career took off. My life was turned upside down since October 23. Again, edSeed was my silver ...
In 2022, my only hope was to liberate my diploma. With your help I did. With perseverance and practice my career took off. My life was turned upside down since October 23. Again, edSeed was my silver lining, Thanks, Allah.

On April 11, I arrived in Cairo after enduring a cruel war, three displacements, and many personal losses.

Back in 2023, I spread my wings from the Mediterranean to the Pacific Ocean. I started interning with Transform VC, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital company. I researched deals for potential start-ups. I was the first Gaza woman to do this.

I also became the accountant for TAMKEEN Fund on VIP.fund. I volunteered to perform accounting tasks for edSeed, learned reconciliation, prepared monthly and weekly financial statements and spreadsheets, used Stripe and Xero apps, and scheduled payments. I communicated with universities, Funds, and students. I supported myself and my family.

and guess what just happened! I was admitted to Guilford College to study for an MBA! I believe in the saying that you attract what you are.

I need $5000 US dollars to cover my tuition for each semester and $3400 monthly for the accommodation and the living expenses.
My family, people in Gaza, Palestine, and the World are waiting for me.

Your support could make my dream a reality.
Thank you
more
7 months ago
Salaam everyone, Thanks to Allah, after 6 months of genocide and being cut off from learning, working, or doing anything I love and used to do, edSeed gave me the Eid gift, I reached Cairo on the 11...

Salaam everyone,

Thanks to Allah, after 6 months of genocide and being cut off from learning, working, or doing anything I love and used to do, edSeed gave me the Eid gift, I reached Cairo on the 11th of April,2024, safely and met Rama Chakaki.
Now I can continue my learning journey and work to help my family and the people in Gaza, I still know that I have a mission on this earth: I want to live and preserve life. To do so, I must continue to learn, my next academic step is to pursue MBA in the United States.

I'll appreciate your help to continue my journey.

Thank you.
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