Help Rebuild Hope For Gazan Family

Our Story from Gaza:

My name is Abdel-Rahman Kouta, I am a Canadian citizen from the north of Gaza. After being displaced, I evacuated to southern Gaza with my wife and 2 young daughters. We have been sheltering with hundreds of displaced families for the last few months at a school that’s become our community shelter. Women and children sleep inside the classrooms and the courtyard is where I stay in a makeshift tent with 15 others. Finding food or clean water is very difficult. There is no privacy, the washrooms are a mess, and the constant buzzing of surveillance drones keeps us up at night. There are also stray dogs fighting & looking for food just outside the gates of the school. We are not safe.

You may have found this page from my TikTok or Instagram accounts where I have shared daily updates and live-stream the circumstances we are living in. As you may know, it’s a dire situation for us. 

I was born in Ontario but came to Gaza 9 years ago for my education. I majored in architectural studies and graduated in 2021.  

I delivered my 2nd daughter amidst the chaos we are currently in, with the help of my mother before we were forced to evacuate our homes. Our beautiful house has been reduced to rubble leaving nothing behind; creating a big loss for my little family. 

My parents were able to evacuate Gaza soon after this, but being granted to leave Gaza now is a more difficult process. Our names have been listed for a few months with no updates. To evacuate on our own, we must pay large fines (per person) to cross the Rafah border into Egypt. From there, we will navigate our travels home to Canada as a complete family unit. 

Our dreams as a family are different now. I dream for restoration and to build upon our memories of Gaza; as a continuation of love. To remain a steadfast example of Palestine’s beauty, courage and strength. To witness my daughters grow with the same steadfastness and compassion. To one day return to Gaza, with stability and the unwavering faith of my people. 

Our situation becomes more dangerous and unpredictable as the days pass by. It’s with my utmost humility that I am creating this fundraiser, supported by my online community who encouraged me to create a page for direct contributions to my family. I am thankful for your boosts of encouragement and your desire in supporting this new evolution of self-sufficiency for my family. 

I’d like you to know that your generosity will support us in evacuation fees and travel expenses down the line. You will also be supporting the future of my children as we restore what once was ours. 

Thank you for being a beacon of hope during this perilous time. Inshallah my family can begin healing back in Canada. ❤️

Please keep advocating for an immediate ceasefire!

From Clodagh Tinney: 

Hi - I'm another friend of the Kouta family! Abdel & Abby have asked me to assist with the GoFundMe until we reach the goal. Abby & I have been in communication to make this a very smooth process. I communicate with Abdel each day to ensure that he receives the new donations promptly. Abby has certainly handled most of the heavy-lifting here, so I'm happy to help as we continue to support the Kouta family rebuild their life.

From Abby Carroll: 

Hello everyone, I'm a friend of the Kouta family and set this fundraiser up on Abdel's behalf. In the event Abdel's personal accounts cannot be connected with GoFundMe (as a beneficiary) , proceeds will be collected and deposited into a savings account with my credit union. Transfers would be made in increments for now, while we find another method for this process to be sustainable. It's an unpredictable situation but I would like everyone to rest assured, this is not a scam and I have no personal interest or gain.