About us
The PCIA Foundation is the sister charity of Palestinian Christians in Australia, born from a spirit of compassion and a deep commitment to serving our community.
We are a dedicated non-profit organisation committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and practical support to Palestinian refugees arriving in Australia. Our mission is to ease their transition and empower them to build new, fulfilling lives with dignity and hope. We understand the immense challenges of starting over, and our holistic approach addresses both immediate needs and long-term integration, ensuring that every family has the opportunity not just to settle, but to truly thrive.
Our Story: A Call to Action
In November 2023, as a humanitarian crisis unfolded in Gaza, our community in Australia watched with heavy hearts. We knew we had to act. What began as a grassroots effort by Palestinian Christians in Australia to support the first arrivals quickly grew into a dedicated mission. We witnessed firsthand the trauma and uncertainty faced by families who had lost everything. They arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs, their lives packed into a few suitcases, searching for a sense of safety and stability they hadn't felt in months.
The need was urgent and overwhelming. Our community rallied together, driven by a shared sense of responsibility. We worked tirelessly to provide the essentials: a safe place to live, food for the table, and a warm, welcoming community to embrace them.
One of the first families we helped, Hadeel and her parents and siblings, shared their experience:
"We couldn't feel stable and safe since many months after we left our home in Gaza... this was the most important thing for us because we value the feeling of stability... Rest assured that you change a lot of lives and help them to rebuild their future here in Australia."
Hadeel's words, and the stories of many others like her, are the reason the PCIA Foundation was officially formed. We are the dedicated charity that will carry this vital work forward, ensuring that every Palestinian refugee who arrives on our shores is met with compassion, respect, and the tools they need to rebuild.
Our Core Values
Human Dignity and Respect
This is our foundational value. It's about recognizing the inherent worth and rights of every individual, regardless of their circumstances or country of origin. This value translates into all aspects of the organization's work, from how staff and volunteers interact with refugees to the programs and services offered. It means providing aid without paternalism, listening to and respecting the lived experiences of refugees, and ensuring that all support is delivered in a way that preserves their dignity and autonomy.
Empowerment and Self-Sufficiency
A charity's goal should not be to create a cycle of dependency. Instead, the focus should be on helping refugees rebuild their lives and become self-sufficient. This value means providing resources, skills training, education, and social support that enable refugees to find employment, integrate into their new communities, and regain control over their futures. It shifts the focus from simply providing aid to fostering resilience and agency.
Community and Inclusion
Refugees often face isolation and a loss of community. This value emphasizes the importance of building bridges between refugees and their new communities. It means creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where refugees feel they belong. This can involve programs that connect them with local residents, cultural exchange events, and initiatives that help them navigate social and cultural norms. It also means advocating for policies and attitudes that promote acceptance and understanding, helping to dismantle the barriers that lead to marginalization.
Board of Directors
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Suzan Wahhab
Suzan Wahhab combines deep financial acumen with a lifelong commitment to justice. Born in Jerusalem, she is a CPA, author, and co-founder of the financial firm Money Intelligence. Her proven leadership in financial governance is demonstrated through her treasurer and finance director roles with multiple community and professional organisations. She also serves as the President of our sister charity, Palestinian Christians in Australia.
In her capacity as a PCIA Foundation director, Suzan provides the critical financial and operational expertise necessary to build a sustainable and impactful charity.
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James Harris
James Harris is a campaign architect and peace advocate working at the intersection of faith and social justice. He serves as Director of Strategic Projects with NAYBA Australia and as a Campaigner with Common Grace, where he mobilises faith communities to respond to humanitarian crises. A dedicated organiser with a proven track record of building effective, grassroots movements, James also co-founded and helps lead impactful initiatives like Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages and Aotearoa Christians for Peace in Palestine.
In his capacity as a PCIA Foundation director, he brings strategic campaign expertise and a deep commitment to mobilising grassroots support for our mission.
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Bassam Dally
Professor Bassam Dally is a distinguished academic and a dedicated community advocate. A professor of engineering with a PhD from the University of Sydney, he was recognised by Stanford University as among the top 2% of scientists worldwide. Born in Kufir Yassif, Palestine, Bassam has a 16-year history of impactful advocacy in Australia, working with organisations like APAN and AFOPA, and establishing the prestigious Edward Said Memorial Lecture in Adelaide. Bassam is also the Vice President of our sister charity, Palestinian Christians in Australia.
As a PCIA Foundation director, he brings a unique blend of analytical rigour, strategic vision, and a deep, long-standing commitment to the Palestinian cause.
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Jarrod McKenna
Reverend Jarrod McKenna is a social justice leader who excels at mobilizing people for ethical, justice-oriented missions. Jarrod mentored emerging leaders, taught nonviolent social change internationally, and preached with integrity and theological depth. As the founder of movements like Common Grace and a former National Advisor for World Vision Australia, Love Makes A Way, and initiated the First Home Project —a residential community for refugees— he combines prophetic advocacy with a proven commitment to nonviolent social change.
As a PCIA Foundation director, he brings this wealth of experience to help build our new charity supporting the Palestinian community in Australia and Palestine.