Why I Fundraised for Anera: Education as Empowerment
by Raya Zinicola
Posted in: Fundraisers
I’ve always believed education is more than just learning. To me, it’s empowerment, hope, and a chance to rewrite stories. Refugees who gain access to education can build businesses, support their communities, and break free from cycles of poverty.
As a high school student in Dubai completing the International Baccalaureate curriculum, I know how transformative education can be. On my visits to Jordan, where part of my family lives, I’ve seen firsthand how many Palestinian and Syrian refugees are denied that same opportunity. Some are forced to leave school just to find work and help support their families. That loss of education limits their chances of building better futures. Jordan is home to more than two million registered Palestinian refugees and about 655,000 registered Syrian refugees, a reality that is easy to overlook until you see it yourself.
Raising Awareness Through Action
Having lived in England and Dubai, and with family in both Jordan and Italy, I’ve grown up with a global perspective. One thing I realized is that not everyone around the world understands the challenges refugees face, especially around education. Many people don’t even know how many refugee camps exist in Jordan or how many Syrians have sought refuge there.
That’s why I wanted my fundraiser to be more than just about raising money. It was also about raising awareness. When I spoke with friends, some were surprised by the statistics and the extent of the situation. Those conversations became as important as the donations themselves.
When I was researching organizations to support, I chose Anera because of their hands-on approach to improving education. Their communication and support made it easy to run a peer-to-peer fundraiser. When I told my family in Jordan, one relative immediately said he knew Anera’s work well and was impressed. That confirmed for me that I had made the right choice.
Why Anera’s Work in Jordan Inspires Me
Anera’s education programs in Jordan’s refugee camps motivated me to support their work. Education in the camps is not just about learning in the traditional sense. It’s about giving people real tools to build a future.
Anera provides access to laptops loaded with educational materials and resources, covering everything from math and science to computer coding and geography. These programs give students and teachers access to knowledge that many of us take for granted, while also building the digital skills that are so important in today’s job market.
I was especially inspired by how Anera links education with opportunities for women. Through early childhood development programs, young children can attend school while their mothers pursue jobs and income outside the home. It’s a cycle that strengthens whole families.
Anera also provides vocational and digital skills training. Young men and women are gaining the confidence and expertise they need to find good-paying jobs or even start small businesses. That kind of empowerment is life-changing.
After witnessing the challenges refugees face in Jordan and learning about the hope Anera is creating, I knew I wanted to take action. My fundraiser was one way I could contribute, but I also wanted to share these stories so that more people understand what education really means for refugees: dignity, opportunity, and a chance to shape their own futures.
A Caring and Supportive Community
To make my fundraiser personal, I connected it with something I love: sports. I set a goal to run and cycle 276 kilometers in four weeks, representing the 276 schools in Dubai. My faithful dog Zaki often kept me company. I shared the fundraiser via social media and reached out to friends, family, teachers and my school community.
The result was bigger than I imagined. People from around the world joined in to support. And together, we reached the fundraising goal.
What I Learned
Asking people for donations can feel intimidating, but I discovered something important: it’s not as scary as you think. There will always be people who want to support you, sometimes for reasons you don’t even expect. And there will always be someone behind the scenes rooting for you.
My biggest advice? Stay focused on why you’re doing it in the first place. For me, it was never just about how much money I raised. It was about sharing information, intent, and hope. In the end, that’s what matters most.
Want to support Anera’s work? Start your own fundraiser to support:
>> Refugees and vulnerable communities across the Middle East
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