Gaza emergency — Haia & family

Dear Friends,

We are now urgently fundraising on behalf of our friend Haia Mohammed and her family, who are still in Gaza, Palestine.

This is an emergency appeal for as much financial assistance as possible to support the family in this time of great hardship. They have lost their homes, possessions, jobs, study, medicines and access to basic supplies.

A little bit of background:

Haia is 22 years old. She was previously studying Computer Programming at university and living at her family home in Gaza, before both were destroyed in late 2023.

She has been displaced 3 times with her family during this ongoing disaster. At the moment she is living with her mother, older sister with her young daughter, and 2 younger siblings on a bit of land belonging to her late father.

Haia is also a writer. Her writing carries a message of resistance and hope, expressing her personal experience of war and destruction. She finds strength in writing to confront the harsh realities of life, transforming pain into power and achieving freedom through words.

Haia strives to share her message with the world — that humanity can resist oppression and poverty through thought and creativity, and that art is a weapon that never falters.

Since the completion of the water project that Haia led in the most challenging of circumstances - to provide water to the area- (see previous update) - all future donations to this gofundme will go directly to providing emergency relief to Haia and her family as they attempt to rebuild their lives.

If anyone has any ideas to support this fundraiser or hold their own on behalf of Haia, please get in touch. Contributions of any size will help, so please donate and share the link to this fundraiser with your contacts.

We thank those who previously supported us and those that will contribute in advance. May your contributions be a means of ongoing charity for you and your loved ones.

Written by Haia Mohammed on the 23rd of October 2023

“Just a simple life, some dreams, lots of family laughter, and adventures with friends, rainy days and hot cups of coffee. To study, graduate, then pursue my dream, working in programming, my passion and area of expertise. To always make my father, may he rest in peace, and my family proud of me. To see the snow one day and build a snowman. To have a home overlooking the sea, filled with windows full of plants. A horse friend I'll name 'Wing, carrying me every morning to soar by the beach. To fly a plane and go far.

To run on the streets of Istanbul with my dearest friend, just as we always dreamed. To buy a house for my beloved mother, the heart of our family. She patiently endured after my father's passing, and she raised us when we were young. She has always been like a mountain, supporting us, unwavering, no matter how heavy the burden. I am constantly amazed by this strength and love. I place my hand on my heart and fear losing her before I can repay her for her kindness.

To see my family grow and witness the family's grandchildren around us. To become a wanderer one day, exploring the world, getting to know the world beyond my small town, understanding their cultures and languages. To spend some dull and monotonous days in my room.

And now, I sit at the dining table with my family. Each of us believes in our dreams and our future. We distribute the dishes and prepare to start our meal... Then... then what? A rocket strikes our house, ending our dreams, hopes, present, and future. Our plates become filled with our fragments, and our story comes to an end.”

Please send Haia love, support and learn her story on [email redacted]m.cara.

Aliya Lahiri and Hannah Yassine from the UK, fundraising for Haia Mohammed from Gaza