Hooray!

Rebuilding Alliance Places 2nd in GlobalGiving.org Competition Date

SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, June 16, 2010 (WAFA) - In an exciting finish, the project, “Rebuilding a Future in Palestine!” placed second place in the international matching grant competition on GlobalGiving.org. With the funding now raised, the Rebuilding Alliance, a Californian NGO, will work with the Palestinian village of Al Aqaba in the Jordan Valley, West Bank to hold a and pubicized a design collaborative in July to create sustainable homes and community, supported by people throughout the world, and so lift the threat of demolition.

'Thanks to 116 donors who gave during the competition, the matching grant, and another 16 donors who gave before and after the competition, we've nearly met our $24,660 goal,' said Donna Baranski-Walker, founder and Executive Director of Rebuilding Alliance. 'Planning begins tomorrow to be ready to come to Al Aqaba in July!'

Currently, Palestinian families are not being permitted to build on their own land in 60% of the West Bank solely administered by Israel. Since 1967 the Israeli army demolished over 24,800 Palestinian homes, displaced more than 180,000 people, and built Israeli-only settlements on land that belongs to Palestinian families. Demolition orders now blanket the Jordan Valley. This man-made policy can be changed, starting with Al Aqaba. Families, ready to build homes despite the risks, need good design, mortgage financing, and solid advocacy to build trust and a future.

Rebuilding Alliance (www.RebuildingAlliance.org) is a non-governmental organization in California dedicated to rebuilding war-torn communities and making them safe. Founded in 2003, RA offers a village-centered rebuilding model with projects and advocacy initiatives selected with an eye towards setting precedent. RA’s life affirming vision is a just and enduring peace in Israel and Palestine founded upon equal value, security, and opportunity for all.