Save Alaa’s Family from Genocide in Gaza

Hello my name is Shadi I am from Toronto, Canada and I fundraising on behalf of Alaa Shihady (pictured above), Raghda Manar, and Alaa’s sister’s family of five, two families currently trapped in Gaza. Here are their words and story:

To those with compassionate hearts and human consciences, with greater sadness and pain, I address to you today an urgent appeal on behalf of my grieving family to revive a small part of the hope that we lost because of this unjust and cruel war. I address you from the heart of Gaza while I am in the depths of my depression and pain after losing everything: our homeland, our security, and many dreams and aspirations.

About Me: I am Alaa, 28 years old, an electrical engineer, and my wife Raghda is 25 years old, My sister, Suhair, who is 27 years old, is married to Murad, and has 3 children: Khaled, 7 years old, Atalla 4 years old, and Jud 1 year and 2 months old. I am writing to you and talking about the most difficult and terrifying situation a person can experience. Until October 6, we had a big dream and hope filled our hearts for a happy and secure life like other peoples. I had I have many plans that I want to achieve with my wife, whom I have only been married to for a short time. I was hoping for a small house that would bring me together with my family, with whom I dream of living in safety, but the outbreak of war turned our world upside down. Our house, which was full of laughter and love, now bears scars. the war. The little business that my wife and I poured our hearts into is now in ruins. Which led to the erasure of years of education, hard work and dreams. We have not seen the light of day for 385 days, we were facing death on a daily basis, as rockets were raining down on our neighbourhood and destruction was everywhere we looked. It was a nightmare. We saw and experienced things that we could not bear at all. Being displaced several times from the north of Gaza to its center and then to its south and back again from the south to the center after the threat. With the invasion of Rafah under tragic, difficult and dangerous circumstances, we witnessed bloodshed, and we saw our friends and relatives being cut into pieces before our eyes. Our minds cannot comprehend this situation. My family and I were lucky to survive, but the shock of those days will haunt us forever. We were forced to flee from one place to another. Another search for safety wherever we find it, but with explosions echoing all around us and death always looming near us, peace cannot be found in Gaza. Since childhood, we have spent our lives in wars and suffering. Help us escape Gaza to build a safer, more stable future and a more suitable life for our family

These words come out of the womb of suffering. The war on Gaza destroyed my dreams and the future that I was seeking. I am an electrical engineer in a plastics factory, and I work in the field of the Internet. The factory I work in was completely destroyed, and with no Internet or electricity, I can no longer work on The Internet is to support my family. All my clients have gone and with them any hope of restarting my career here in Gaza. The industrial sector has been completely destroyed. On the other hand, I cannot work in hard or tiring jobs due to my health condition, as I have an artificial shoulder joint in my right hand and I cannot lift loads on it or deal with it as desired, Years ago, I suffered from a tumour in my right shoulder joint as a result of a traffic accident that I was involved in. This, after a long period of chemotherapy and the implantation of an artificial shoulder joint, prevented me from working freely in many fields of work, as I became one of those with special needs that requires constant care. And medical follow-up. Due to this war, I was not able to follow up on the medical crisis, so I hoped to move to a country where I could receive the medical follow-up of the crisis, engage in the labor market, and support myself and my family.

My sister Suhair’s family consists of 5 members. Her husband suffers from a blockage in the blood vessels (inguinal hernia), which prevents him from working in hard labor. Her children were deprived of education and healthy food that helps them grow, and the minimum basic requirements in daily life, such as the right to play and dress. The little boy who suffers from skin diseases such as fungus due to the lack of diapers and due to water pollution. They did not know the meaning of childhood. They lost their home and were displaced many times. Now they live with us in one tent, which is barely enough, not to mention the extreme cold at night and the coming winter. Soon upon us

Two years ago, I was lucky enough to secure permanent residency in Canada, opening the door to a potential new beginning for all of us. However, the financial burden of moving a family our size around the world is enormous. Unfortunately, the prices for evacuating people from Gaza to Egypt and then to Canada are very high which is why I need your help. The cost of evacuating an adult to Egypt may reach approximately $10,000, while the costs of evacuating a child range between $2,000-5,000, in addition to other expenses according to various sources, including:

Notary public and translation fees equivalent to $800.

Application fee is $100 per person

Hala company fees to secure our exit from Gaza at a cost of $10 000, child between or $2000 - $5000

Accommodation in Cairo for 3-4 weeks while waiting for the papers: $3,500

Mandatory biometrics fees for adults cost $170 per person and $85 per mother

Airline tickets cost $1,500 per person

Settlement expenses (for the first 3 months until I can work): Rent estimates are $2,000 for the house per month (in addition to furniture, estimated at $3,000)

Personal necessities/winter clothing etc. (Estimate $1,500)

Daily living expenses (estimates of $4,000 per month)

Please note all costs are in USD($)

We don't have the ability to raise this money on my own. (Keep in mind that these prices are not exact but are estimates as it is difficult to determine the exact amount you will be charged)

!!! IMPORTANT: If there is any money left after all family members evacuate, it will be used to provide necessary assistance such as permanent housing, food, household items, sanitary products, re-establishing my business, etc.!!!

Not only do we face excessive visa and travel costs under these circumstances, we also face the daunting task of rebuilding our lives from scratch in a new country, including ensuring housing, food, water and treatment.

Thank you for your support, and I really appreciate you taking the time to read my story. Every amount you donate will make a big difference in our situation. From me to you, all my love and respect, my brothers in all parts of the earth, save my family from destruction, fulfill my dream for my son, a bright future, I hope you look at me with eyes. Kindness, love and compassion.