Executive summary

A study space that already works — held back by solvable problems

Riva Hub is an affordable educational workspace in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis. Opened on 1 June 2026, it gives displaced students the essentials many no longer have at home: reliable power, internet, quiet, and a desk for lectures, assignments, applications, and exams.

Students seated along shared tables, laptops connected to power strips running down the centre
Shared tables and shared power: each added power strip enables another student to work.

In its first six weeks, more than 300 students used Riva Hub for study, coursework, power, internet and exams. More than 200 used it for scholarship searches and applications, and more than 10 completed the Duolingo English Test on site. Demand is immediate and daily.

The premises can hold about 200 students, but power, connectivity, heat, shading and worn facilities limit current use to 50–60 at a time. On busy days, students are turned away or parts of the room lose power. These are defined, solvable constraints.

Riva Hub charges about $0.50 per hour, compared with $1.30 or more at commercial workspaces. The fee covers only part of rent, internet, electricity and maintenance. Donor support will expand capacity without pricing students out.

Key facts at a glance

Opened
1 June 2026
Location
Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, Gaza Strip
Operating hours
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Reach in the first six weeks

What the numbers show

300+
Students served

Study, power, internet, coursework, and exams

200+
Scholarship applicants supported

Scholarship searches and applications

10+
Duolingo English Tests

Tests completed on site

50–60
Current capacity

Students served at one time today

~200
Physical potential

Students the space could serve, once equipped

Categories overlap: one student may study, take an exam, and apply for a scholarship. Figures are reported separately and must not be added together.

Our operating model

Affordable by design, not by accident

Riva Hub operates from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, aligned with available daylight for solar generation. Solar alone cannot meet full demand, so the hub still relies on costly external power.

The fee covers only part of actual costs. It keeps the doors open; it does not generate profit.

Laptops, cables and a shared power strip on a patterned table covering

Cost of five hours of study

$2.50
Riva Hub $0.50/hr
$6.50
Commercial $1.30+/hr

Figures in U.S. dollars, rounded for clarity. Commercial workspaces charge about $1.30 per hour or more.

The bills behind the fee

Known operating expenses

The fee contributes to, but does not cover, the recurring costs of daily operations.

≈ $825

Rent

Per week — former café premises

≈ $250

Internet service

Per month

up to ≈ $10

External generator electricity

Per kWh, when solar is insufficient

High & variable

Maintenance, spare parts & repairs

Ongoing

All figures are in U.S. dollars and rounded. Invoices, supplier quotations and detailed records are available on request.

Who we serve

Open to every student, without distinction

Female students working at laptops at Riva Hub

Students

  • Secondary school students
  • University students across disciplines
  • Male and female students
  • Students with disabilities

Opportunity seekers

  • Scholarship applicants
  • Applicants to universities abroad
  • Job seekers
  • Students exploring opportunities

Exam and project needs

  • University & international exams
  • Online interviews & meetings
  • Lectures, assignments & projects
  • Anyone needing power & internet

Riva Hub can provide separate, more private areas for male and female students when needed, especially for exams, interviews and online meetings.

A study space that already works.

Support helps Riva Hub serve significantly more students in the same space.