UPDATE: We've reached our goal for this campaign! But there is much more to do. New donations will go towards additional projects to bring STEM to underserved communities. Or donate at www.astro4equity.org.
UPDATE: We extended our goal to send telescopes to Libyan astronomy students, and we did it!!
The extension allowed us to send a fifth telescope so that all five astronomy outreach clubs in different Libyan cities have their own telescope.
We originally could only reserve four telescopes due to COVID-19 supply chain issues, but now there is a fifth telescope available.
We are so excited to make this happen!! THANK YOU!!
Here's a video of an event with students and adults for Libyan astronomy with NASA astronaut Nicole Stott!
And here's our recent blog about the event!
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Students in Libya Need Peace and Hope
 | Astronomy for Equity, a US-based nonprofit that supports marginalized communities around the world, is helping students in Libya (Africa) who are growing up in the aftermath of war and political unrest. The 2011 revolution, part of the Arab Spring, led to a fractured government and civil wars, leaving casualties and displaced families in its wake. A six-year war aga inst ISIS left the infrastructure shattered, along with an economic crisis and reduced health services. But the biggest casualty has been education. |
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With many schools reduced to rubble, transformed into military barracks, or used as shelters for displaced families, getting an education in Libya is difficult.
Young people have suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from living with gunfire or losing family members.
A recent political settlement for a unified government provided hope, but COVID-19 closed many schools, further destabilizing Libya's vulnerable youth. |
| Why Astronomy?
Where other science labs don't exist, the natural laboratory above is accessible to all, day and night. Hands-on experience inspires students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). “Roaya Astronomical Clubs in Libyan Schools” is a project that brings STEM education to children in five Libyan cities - Tripoli, Sabha, Sirt, Benghazi, and Derna - through astronomy workshops and meetings with astronauts and scientists. Interactive education and recreational activities after school and on weekends bring awe and wonder back into the lives of these children. Workshops provide psychological support through building handmade astronomical models and competitions. A new, unified network of astronomy clubs in the most war-impacted cities will help rebuild peaceful social interaction and educational institutions. |
How You Can Help
Roaya Astronomical Clubs in Libyan Schools is a project of Roaya for Astronomy and Space Applications, a Libyan NGO, and has support from the Libyan Ministry of Education. But they are unable to obtain one critical tool-- telescopes. Astronomy for Equity will use your donation to buy telescopes in the U.S. that will be shipped directly to the schools. In this initial phase of the campaign, the first four telescopes will be sent to Libya, with more to come. These telescopes will inspire STEM in thousands of Libyan students. Viewing the Universe for the first time can lead a student to a lifetime of inspiration.
Astronomy Club Activities
This project provides hope and inspiration for children, allowing them to see a future for themselves and their country. The project is a model for other schools and cities, helping the country recover in youth education, and bringing hope to survivors of war.
 |  |  | Training and Workshops | Outdoor Activities | Competitions and Exhibitions |
Roaya Astronomical Clubs in Libyan Schools is a project of Roaya for
Astronomy and Space Applications, a
Libyan youth group created in 2012 that became a
government-recognized Non-Governmental Foundation in 2021. The
project is supported through partnerships with the Libya Ministry
of Education.
Be a part of it - Please donate today.
About Astronomy for Equity's Mission: Astronomy for Equity brings together the resources of the worldwide astronomy community to support STEM outreach and education for marginalized communities. Astronomy enthusiasts in every country share their passion for understanding our place in the Universe. Astronomy fascinates us all, and shows us how we are all fellow crewmembers on Spaceship Earth, and that we all share the same sky. Astronomy for Equity supports marginalized communities worldwide using astronomy for science education, providing opportunities, inspiration, and hope. | Image: NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott encourages the Libyan students to keep looking to the stars. |
Astronomy for Equity supports marginalized communities worldwide using astronomy for science education, providing opportunities, inspiration, and hope.
Learn more about Astronomy for Equity by visiting our website. |
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Highlights
See all activity26This is amazing - we met our goal to send five telescopes to Libya!
THANK YOU!!
Because you generously donated and spread the word, astronomy students in Libya will have access to study the universe.
This
is great news for the students, whose schools have suffered due to
civil war. This will bring them comfort, hope, and inspiration.
It will also help spur the STEM workforce in these areas, as students who learn astronomy become more interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math careers.
We appreciate your heartfelt involvement in this campaign and we are overjoyed to share the progress of Roaya Astronomical Clubs with you!
Clear skies,
The Astronomy for Equity Team
Image: Students and adults in Libya parade for World Space Week
We did it! THANK YOU!!
We successfully raised enough funds to send four telescopes to astronomy students in Libya, Africa. The students are overjoyed!
We also exceeded our goal and got some very good news: a fifth telescope is available for us to purchase for the students! Previously we could only find four telescopes due to COVID-19 supply chain issues.
There are five Roaya astronomy clubs across Libya, and we are so pleased to be able to supply a telescope to each club!!
Thank you for your generous donations, and thank you for supporting these students with your well wishes. You are changing the lives of these students.
The Astronomy for Equity Team
P.S. Here is a letter from our founder, Mike Simmons about how grateful we are and about our goals to bring STEM and astronomy to underserved communities.
We are thrilled to report that - thanks to you - we have met 28% of our goal to send telescopes to Libyan astronomy students in Africa!!
Libyan club leaders have been in touch with us to express their gratitude and excitement for the hope we are bringing to these students' lives. Students who have survived a debilitating civil war and harsh cuts to their education support systems.
THANK YOU and please remember to share!! Every amount matters!
-The Team at Astronomy for Equity
We are overjoyed to report that we have reached 18% of our crowdfunding goal to help astronomy students in Libya with telescopes!
This week we are spotlighting our Libyan partner, astrophysicist and community leader Atiyah Alhasadi. Atiyah is cofounder and CEO of Roaya, the organization that is bringing astronomy to middle schools across Libya!
Next week we will bring personal stories from the students who are attending school in the midst of a civil war.
Please remember to share our story and to ask for donations. Every amount helps!
