From Birmingham to Hermel with love

Hi, my name is Dima. I'm from Lebanon, and I've been living in Birmingham since 2013. Friends from Moseley and Kings Heath - where my kids go to nursery and school - have been reaching out to ask how they can help with the escalating war in Lebanon. This morning while on the phone to one of my closest friends in Beirut, we came up with an idea that I'm hoping you'd be happy to help me with. Her hometown - Hermel - is right on the border with Syria. Many people have left, but a lot of families stayed behind. These are people who couldn't afford to flee to Beirut, or to safer neighbourhoods. There are men, women, children and elderly struggling with basic access to food, fuel and medicine. A friend of ours who is from Hermel has moved his wife and children to a safer place, but decided to stay behind to help supporting these families.

What he is trying to do:

I will send all the money I raise here via OMT to him in Hermel. Your donations will directly help support the basic needs of people I know personally, in a town which had become a place I 'run' to every time I visit home in the summer.

I am not planning a big campaign for this fundraiser. I thought I'd keep it hyperlocal, and share with my friends, my kids' circles, my colleagues at Meedan, and former colleagues at Birmingham City University. Thank you for taking the time to read my post, and do reach out if you have any questions about how your donations would help!

Here's a video of Hermel and all the beauty it held before the war <3

Dima