Call to Action: Keep Gazas Talent Alive

Said Fadel is currently living in Gaza. He is a band member and co-founder of Sol Band Gaza, an incredible band of musicians who perform songs about Palestine and its beauty, rich history, and culture. An artist, a musician, a storyteller, and more, Said is a talented young person who deserves a just and free life, and this is a call to action for the global community to help Said support his and his family's well-being and safety so that they can have the funds to survive daily but also to begin planning their painful journey out of the place they've always known as home, Gaza.

Keeping culture alive is a form of resistance in times when ethnic cleansing is rampant and a threat to ways of Life, heritage, and traditions. Creating art, music, dance, and other traditional expressions of culture is a form of brave resistance that should be a birthright to everyone. It should also be protected and preserved at all costs. The world needs people like Said, Hamada, Fares, Rahaf, and Ahmed. They are the youth of Gaza who must continue sharing their gifts of music, creativity, and storytelling with the world.

My name is Etty, and I became friends with Said after this latest and immensely destructive aggression. A friend created a post requesting that we share any accounts we may be following to continue amplifying Gazan Voices, and I shared the list of people I have been following daily: Doa, Hamza, Hatem, Youmna, Rahaf, Said, and more. Through this comment, we became connected and have become friends. Although I don't know Said in person, he is a friend I wish to see prosper and persevere through this earthly experience. I am hopeful for Said and his band Sol Band; they will again be back on the stage together and touring the world, fulfilling their dreams.

This is a Call to Action for you to help make a difference and make this a reality!

The Egyptian government is asking for 8,000 per person in exchange for granting access to Egypt. Said has six family members, which include his little brother, his mother, and his father. Your contribution can allow them to rebuild their lives, fulfill their basic needs, and begin taking the critical steps in preparing for their departure into Egypt.

Everything counts, and Said is grateful for those who have already donated ($725!) before the creation of this GoFundMe. Initially, I was raising funds for Said via my accounts, and he was receiving them via Wise through his sister-in-law, Bushra. I am creating a GoFundMe so that donations are more streamlined, with Bushra now as the beneficiary directly receiving all donations and who is in the West Bank. Bushra herself is a humanitarian who has spent countless hours dedicated to the people of Gaza by fundraising for those in need and organizing different types of distributions to families during the holidays, back to school & EID along with Said and his sister, who would help with the distributions. Bushra tells me she can't believe how the tables have turned and how they (and Gaza's entire population) are now asking for the help of others with the hope of surviving this nightmare.

Please continue amplifying Palestinian voices and sharing this cause so that this call to action can reach as many as possible. The humans of Gaza are some of the most resilient, poetic, and beautiful people on this earth. Join me today in raising money to keep their culture, aspirations, and dreams alive.

Please follow Said

@saidsol1

His band account

@solbandgaza

His band members

@rahafmarwan20

@hamada.pr1

@abood.qassim7

@faressol2

@ahmed.haddad

With Gratitude,

Etty Alberto