Gaza bakery: Families helping each other to Survive

Urgent Help for Gaza: Families helping Families

My name is Stephanie Byars, a certified public accountant based in the USA. I volunteer to assist families facing extreme emergencies, such as those affected by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina or the families displaced by war. This includes the families trapped in Gaza, where death and starvation threaten daily survival.

I have worked closely with the Aldaghma family living in Khan Younis, Gaza - who is the recipient of this fundraisers aid. I’ve known them since December 2023, and I am in awe of their unshakable love for one another despite the constant fear of death and the devastating bombings. Since they began fundraising to help others, I have been carefully accounting for every dollar they have earned, ensuring the funds go directly to feeding tens of thousands—if not hundreds of thousands—of suffering families in Gaza.

The Aldaghma family faces ongoing discrimination, with systems working against them to prevent aid from reaching those in need. Countless volunteers are helping this family continue their work, and we are deeply grateful for everyone’s support.

We are especially thankful for Mohammed Aldaghma, who has put in countless hours every single day to get these vital funds to the families of Gaza, despite the ongoing challenges and delays.

Our Mission: Providing Emergency Aid to Gaza

Thanks to your generosity, we have expanded our volunteer operations and are now providing food, water, and emergency aid to thousands of displaced families, including over 200 children and 50 orphans. Your support is saving lives, offering hope, and allowing us to continue helping those in desperate need.

Spending Breakdown:

100% of your voluntary donations are sent directly to Gaza. We operate transparently, and no funds are retained for expenses outside of the direct aid being provided.

About the Aldaghma Family:

As-salaam 'alykum. My name is Mohammed Aldaghma, a Palestinian from Gaza, now living in Belgium.

In Gaza, my family owned and operated Bab Al-Hara, a restaurant in Khan Younis that provided comfort food to beachgoers. This restaurant was more than just a business—it was our home, our livelihood, and our passion. In 2014, everything changed when our restaurant was bombed during military raids. We lost many loved ones, including my cousin Hamdr, and like many Palestinians, we were left homeless and without work. We have struggled to survive ever since.

Since October 2023, as families fled their homes and sought shelter in camps, we decided to use our skills to feed those in need. Thanks to your kindness, we’ve been able to cook hundreds, even thousands, of meals for displaced families in Gaza.

While we have lost much, we have not lost our will to help others.

This is Not a Charity—It’s an Emergency Relief Effort

This is not a registered charity organization. It is a grassroots emergency relief effort where citizens are helping citizens in a time of extreme need. No services, products, or tax receipts will be provided to donors. Your donation will directly support families in Gaza and Egypt, providing them with food, water, and shelter to survive.

All funds go directly to the cause. Mohammed personally handles all transfers to ensure that the money reaches the families in Gaza. Due to government restrictions and blockades, it is nearly impossible for people in Gaza to receive money directly, so the survival of these families depends on the generosity and support of people like you, who are willing to navigate the many obstacles in place to deliver aid.

Why Your Donation Is Not Taxable in Belgium

In Belgium, personal donations made for emergency situations like this are not considered taxable income, provided that the donations are voluntary and no service or benefit is exchanged. This campaign is entirely focused on providing life-saving relief to those in need, not for tax deductions or receipts.

No funds are retained in Belgium, nor are they used for anything other than helping the Aldaghma family trapped in Gaza, and the thousands of other families we are feeding and supporting in Gaza.

Meet the Aldaghma Family / The recipients of your voluntary donations:

In Egypt (escaped Gaza in May 2024):

Mother: Hanan (55), Master Baker & Chef

1st Sister: Fedaa (31), Baker

Fedaa’s Children:

Afaf (8 years old, Down Syndrome)

Hassan (9 years old, Epilepsy)

Rawan (7 years old)

Ayman (1 year old)

Husband: Hani (41)

1st Brother: Mahmoud (23)

In Gaza:

Father: Ayman (52), Manager

2nd Sister: Reena (20)

2nd Brother: Khader (21)

Aunt: Ibtessam (54)

Grandmother: Najah (91)

Numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles still trapped in Gaza

Why Your Help Matters

This is an urgent crisis, and your generosity is making a life-or-death difference. The funds you donate are going directly to feed, shelter, and support families who have lost everything. Your help is the lifeline that keeps them alive.

We are not a registered charity but a family-driven relief effort, and we need your support to keep going. Thank you for your kindness and for being part of this effort to help those in the most desperate need.

You can follow us on Instagram at @gaza.bakery