Help Ashraf and Doaa rebuild their lives

The Story of Ashraf's Family: A Journey of Pain and Resilience

My name is Ashraf, and I am the father of four children: Rimas, Razan, Karim, and Kenan. I never imagined I would write these words to describe the pain and suffering that has overwhelmed our lives, but necessity compels me to share our story, hoping that your compassionate hearts will extend a helping hand.

On October 7, everything changed. Our home was destroyed in a brutal airstrike, with bombs raining down mercilessly. We lost our house, our safe haven, and our only source of income—our small businesses—which were completely demolished. We had no choice but to flee, leaving behind all our memories, everything we had built over the years. We carried only a few pieces of clothing soaked with the scent of destruction, and hearts even heavier with grief.

We were forcibly displaced from northern Gaza, with no power to refuse. We moved from place to place: from Shuja’iyya to Al-Nasr neighborhood, then to Nuseirat, and later to Rafah, only to be displaced again to another location in Rafah. Each place was worse than the one before.

During our terrifying journey, we were surrounded by countless missile strikes. Some landed dangerously close to us, and we miraculously survived. These strikes could have easily claimed my life and the lives of my children, but God’s mercy prevailed, sparing us from death that seemed to chase us everywhere we went.

We endured the bitter cold without warm clothes to shield us from the harsh winter winds. Hunger was our constant companion, and thirst drained our strength. My children’s clothes became tattered, and their small bodies shivered with fear. Every sound we hear brings back the terrifying memories of bombings; even the simplest noises have become a source of panic. My children no longer know what safety feels like.

They have been deprived of their most basic rights: education, play, and even the ability to sleep peacefully. Their innocent eyes are filled with sorrow and fear, their hearts burdened with memories no child should ever have to carry.

Today, we are not asking for much. We are simply asking for a chance to start over. To give our children a life that matches their innocence, to rebuild what was destroyed by war and displacement.

This donation link is our lifeline.

You might think that one dollar won’t make a difference, but for us, it is a lifeline. Every contribution, no matter how small, means the world to us. It is not just financial support; it is a message of hope, a sign that someone out there feels our pain, sees our suffering, and wants to help ease it.

Help us give our children the future they deserve.

Help us because we can no longer endure this alone.

Every compassionate heart reading these words is a ray of light in our darkest nights.

We believe that kindness still exists in this world—maybe it’s in your heart right now.