Help Khaled and his family leave Gaza to safety

Story:

Khaled Al-hendawi and his family — Ahmed, Rahma, Husam, Anas, and Raghad — are in urgent need of support to help them secure safe passage to Egypt, to have a chance at a new life again. They are currently in Northern Gaza, where they have lived their entire lives, and are in the midst of the terrible war that is occuring there. At the moment, they are all facing daily threats of bombs, starvation, dehydration, and illness, and are in need your help to secure a safe passage to Egypt and a chance at a new life again.

Who is Khaled?

A dedicated software engineer and passionate educator, Khaled is a big part of his community in Gaza. He is a computer engineering graduate of Anzar University, specializing in UX design, and teaches with the Paltel Group Foundation. Partnering with organizations like AmidEast, Palestine Telecommunications Company, and Code.X, Khaled has helped train many local Gazan high schoolers in coding and design, helping them hone their talents to boost the local tech economy in the Gaza strip. Prior to this devastating tragedy, Khaled had an enriching life and promising career that was brutally interrupted by the invasion.

Khaled teaching at YouthCode Gaza:

Khaled and some family members:

The Situation:

The war in Gaza has taken a devastating toll on Khaled's family. Their home and Khaled's workplace have both been destroyed, flattened by heavy and ongoing bombing. Khaled’s father put his life savings into building a home only one month before the war happened, only for it now to be completely destroyed. Below is a picture of all that is left of their former place of residence:

There is a huge shortage of food, water, and medical supplies in Gaza, especially in the northern part of the strip. Starvation is imminent. These days, Khaled’s family is forced from shelter to shelter as they try to escape military activity, evacuating more than five times now.Their remaining time is spent trying to secure one meal a day. Many others have already starved to death and died from malnutrition from the ongoing situation.

Despite the turmoil, Khaled and his family have never wavered in their resilience. In order to connect to the outside world via the internet, Khaled must walk several miles in order to get a connection. The most recent time he was able to do so was spent reaching out to me for help in this desperate time. The ongoing violence has made the family’s living situation untenable in the north of Gaza, and they are now looking to evacuate to Egypt.

Who am I:

My name is Nathanael, a current resident of New York City. I taught at YouthCode Gaza in the summer of 2023, where I befriended Khaled and other teachers, teachers' assistants, and students. I experienced the beauty and hospitality of Palestinian culture firsthand, and have been devastated to learn about the ongoing war there. Khaled was one of the nicest people I've ever met, and reached out to me for help during this desperate time. Therefore, I want to do all I can to help, by creating this campaign and helping distribute the funds to Khaled's family.

Our Goal:

We aim to raise $48,000 to help Khaled and his family evacuate to a safer location, somewhere his family can continue their lives, and Khaled can continue his work in education and technology. The funds will be used for their travel expenses, securing accommodation, and ensuring they have the necessary resources to start anew.

Cost Breakdown:

Evacuating Khaled and his family: $36,000 ($6000 per adult)

Six Months Living Expenses in Egypt: $9,000

GoFundMe Fees: $2,000

Bank Transfer Fee: $1,000

How You Can Help:

Donate: Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in Khaled's life and his family's future.

Share: Spread the word by sharing this campaign on social media, through email, or by word of mouth. Your voice can help reach more people who can contribute to this cause.

Follow Khaled's Journey: Stay updated on Khaled's progress and his family's situation through updates we will share here.

Your support can help this family escape the dangers they currently face and provide them with the opportunity to rebuild their lives in safety. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and for standing with Khaled and his family during these challenging times.