Friendly Welcome is a group of Quakers working with others to respond actively to the terrible events in Gaza. Our initiative was formed after we saw the wide scale destruction in Gaza and heard from families who have lost family members and their homes and their livelihoods over the past two years.

Many young people in Gaza are sustaining hope in the midst of destruction by applying for university courses overseas, hoping to build a better future for themselves, and to be able to contribute to their communities in the years ahead.

Our goal is to help individuals who - despite the suffering and constant threat they are surrounded by - have managed to secure a place to study at university in Europe. We will support them to meet visa requirements & help them with the substantial funds needed for tuition and living expenses. We will ensure that there is a welcoming network and community to embrace them & their family when they arrive in Europe.

As a small group we are focussing on one person at a time. You can read about Bashir, who is the focus of our current project, here.