Help me and my family escape from Gaza.

Ahmed Matar is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hello! I am Ahmed Mater, I’m 26 years old and I live in Gaza. I want to share the immense challenges my family and I face in this unforgiving war. Our family includes my mother, Taghreed Mater, aged 52, who has devoted her life to caring for us despite the hardships. My father was martyred in 2003, leaving us orphaned with only our mother to provide for us.

My sister Amna Mater, aged 24, is a dedicated doctor in Gaza, tirelessly serving the community amid the chaos of war. Eman Mater, aged 28, was on the brink of completing her master’s degree before the aggression on Gaza disrupted our lives. My brother Salah Mater, aged 29, is a father of four, struggling to provide for his family amidst the destruction and uncertainty. His wife, Islam, aged 26, stands by his side, a pillar of strength in these trying times.

(My niece Taghreed, born in November, 2023, a month into the war)

Just five months ago, my little niece entered a world marked by cold, hunger, and a severe lack of essentials like food and water. She, along with her siblings and me, faces these harsh realities daily. My nieces and nephews include Taghreed (5 months old), Mohammed (5 years old), Sedra (7 years old), and Amir (3 years old), innocent souls robbed of a normal childhood by the ravages of conflict.

Our family home, once a haven in northern Gaza, fell victim to bombings, leaving us not just homeless but also grappling with the loss of cherished memories and a sense of security. Now in Rafah, between Egypt and Gaza, we seek refuge in humble tents. Living in these makeshift tents presents numerous challenges. We use a makeshift bathroom, cook on a makeshift stove, and everything is hard for us. Getting water is very difficult; we have to walk long distances and wait in long queues to obtain it. Food is scarce, adding to our daily struggles. The extreme weather of the desert, with its severe cold at night and extreme heat during the day, compounds our hardships, making life in the tents unbearable at times.

We hope to use the donations to escape the nightmare we are living in Gaza. In addition to that, we want to use donations to obtain essentials such as food, clothes, and other personal items that we lost when our home in northern Gaza was destroyed.

We plan to use the donations to be evacuated from the war zone via the company HALA, seeking a temporary respite from the chaos and a glimmer of hope for a better future. Your support is not just a lifeline for my family and me but also a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of war. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with us and offering your generous help.

My family and I, bound by a strong sense of unity, have made the difficult choice to leave for Egypt together in light of the heart-wrenching devastation we've witnessed in our beloved Gaza. The anguish and fear stemming from seeing our homeland in ruins due to ongoing conflict have left deep scars on our hearts. We yearn for a safer environment where we can rebuild and pursue a brighter future. Although leaving behind our cherished memories is incredibly painful, we are determined to find stability and security in Egypt, seeking solace and support as we embark on this challenging journey.