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In the late autumn of 1979, I embarked on a journey that would forever change the course of my life. With little more than a suitcase, a dream, and unwavering determination, I arrived in the U.S. to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. Leaving behind my family and my beloved Palestinian homeland presented me with both financial and cultural challenges, yet I was resolute in achieving my academic ambitions.Growing up in a family of twelve children and with my father’s limited income as a high school teacher meant constant financial strain and uncertainty. Managing school tuition and living expenses became a significant challenge. With little support from some family members, I relied particularly on the immense generosity of my great-uncle in the U.S., who graciously supported me through my first two years of college. During this time, I explored financial aid opportunities. Thankfully, in the fall semester of 1981, I received my first grant from Arab Student Aid International (ASAI), a U.S.-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting financially needy yet outstanding Arab students. Their aid was crucial to completing my college education. 

ASAI’s timely and generous support enabled me to graduate with honors in the summer of 1983, completing my four-year engineering degree in three and a half years. ASAI encouraged students to return to their home countries by stipulating that aid would be considered a grant if they did so; otherwise, it would be a zero-interest loan, payable in installments six months after graduation. 

Determined to apply my degree and acquired engineering skills, I returned home to Palestine. After a frustrating three-month job search, I decided to return to the U.S. to pursue a master’s degree – both to enhance my employability and to specialize in wireless communication.

I applied to several U.S. graduate programs, and within weeks, I received admission and secured a visa to return. Six months after arriving back in the U.S., I landed an engineering job, and soon after, my employer sponsored my U.S. residency to ensure my legal status.

In 2007, my late father called to inform me of receiving a letter addressed to me from ASAI. Overwhelmed with apprehension but with a sense of guilt, I realized I had forgotten my loan obligation to ASAI, having not returned to work in Palestine as I initially planned. 

Upon receiving the letter from my father, I immediately contacted ASAI, apologized for the oversight, and committed to repaying the loan in full. To show my utmost appreciation to ASAI, I paid the full loan amount and donated an equal sum to help ASAI support other students, just as it once supported me.

I worked as Director of Engineering for over two decades at a technology firm specializing in wireless devices and home satellite receivers. In 2005, I co-founded Xirgo (https://xirgo.com/) Technologies, a fleet management and asset tracking solutions company. 

As a start-up, Xirgo operated out of my house garage for the first year. Our breakthrough came with the development of a device that monitored driving behavior for auto insurance risk assessment. Building on this success, we later developed solar-powered GPS and cellular tracking solutions for major U.S. shipping couriers. Xirgo grew into a global leader in GPS and wireless tracking solutions. In 2021, we successfully exited, selling the company to a multinational industrial technology firm.

Bringing Innovation Home: A Commitment to Palestine

Despite the financial security afforded to me by exiting Xirgo, I chose to pursue my long-held dream of helping my homeland by introducing and promoting advanced wireless technology. 

During my visit to Palestine in the summer of 2021, I was introduced to a young entrepreneur, the founder of Snipe (https://www.snipe.ps/), a promising Ag-Tech startup developing irrigation and fertilization controllers to combat water scarcity and food insecurity. This mission deeply resonated with me. Impressed by the company’s founder and his team, I decided to invest in and manage the company. 

Over the past three years, we have revolutionized Snipe’s technology by integrating cutting-edge hardware and software solutions to improve farming efficiency and profitability.  Today, Snipe is a regional leader in precision farming, helping customers optimize the use of water, fertilizers, and energy while maximizing crop quality and yield. Despite the immense challenges of operating a business in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, we remain committed to growing and expanding the reach of the company into regional markets.

Philanthropy: A Legacy of Giving Back

Beyond my professional endeavors, philanthropy has been my most fulfilling pursuit. I believe that giving back is of the highest calling, and I’ve been blessed to support numerous charitable projects in the U.S. and Palestine, focusing on health, education, and community support.

Furthermore, I am a long-time donor and now a board member of Anera(https://www.anera.org/), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization providing humanitarian and development aid in Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan. Over the past 16 months, Anera has been at the forefront of relief efforts in Gaza, delivering millions of meals, clean water, and medical supplies to displaced families affected by the war in Gaza. Anera’s work has been crucial in alleviating the suffering of those most impacted by this horrific war.  

Reflection: A Journey of Perseverance and Purpose

As I reflect on my journey – from an ambitious young Palestinian student in the U.S. to a technology entrepreneur and philanthropist – I feel a deep sense of gratitude. First and foremost, I’m grateful to my parents for their unwavering guidance and the values they instilled in me from a very young age. Second, I am grateful to ASAI for its invaluable financial support, which enabled me to complete my college education, an opportunity that set the foundation for my career and life’s purpose.

Looking back, those early years in the U.S. were a testament to the power of perseverance, discipline, and determination. They shaped who I am, my career, the values I hold dear, and my commitment to giving back to my family, community, and homeland.

My journey, which began with a single step across an ocean, continues to inspire me to strive for excellence and to help others achieve their dreams, just as ASAI once did for me.