Save Abdul Karim's Family: Rebuilding Lives Shattered by War
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Hello,
I am Shereen Dawoud , and I am launching a fundraiser to support my friend’s family in the face of the challenges resulting from the war in Gaza. Our goal is to help them survive and regain their lives under the difficult conditions the region is going through. The story we share was written by my girlfriend’s husband, Abdul Karim Gharbawi, to reflect their suffering and hope of rebuilding.
I am Abdul Karim Gharabawi, a 27-year-old living in Gaza. I am married to Aya Gharabawi, who is 26, and we have a beautiful daughter named Sara, who is one and a half years old. In light of the difficult circumstances in Gaza, I am seeking to raise funds to save my small family's life.
Suffering displacement :
When the events of October 7 began and the war on Gaza erupted, we were living in the Saftawi area, north of Gaza City. This area became a target for intense Israeli airstrikes, prompting us to flee and seek refuge for the first time at my family's home in the Beach Camp, west of Gaza City, for just three days.
We were then informed by the Israeli army through leaflets that we needed to evacuate the entire city of Gaza from the north to the south of the Strip, which they claimed were safe areas. We complied with this order to preserve our lives and the lives of our children, escaping from combat zones to supposed safe havens.
We left our home, taking only a few essential belongings, leaving behind our houses, dreams, and memories, carrying a heavy sense of loss within us. On October 13, at four in the afternoon, we set out, determined to move south via Salah al-Din Street, which connects northern Gaza to the south, bearing our burdens as we headed toward the area of Deir al-Balah in the southern Gaza Strip.
The story of my injury :
During the displacement process, we were subjected to a horrific bombardment that targeted the convoy of civilians fleeing with artillery-guided missiles, in a series of consecutive airstrikes. As a result, I sustained injuries in several areas of my body, with shrapnel widely dispersed. Although most of the injuries were moderate, the most serious one was in my left hand, where I suffered tendon cuts and peripheral nerve damage responsible for finger movement and wrist control.
I was transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital to receive the necessary treatment, but due to the lack of resources and the hospital's overcrowding with critical cases, the doctors were unable to perform the surgery I desperately needed. This operation was essential for me to regain at least 60% of my hand's mobility.
The incident involving the targeting of a convoy of displaced persons garnered widespread global attention that day. The Israeli army targeted civilian evacuees as they made their way to southern Gaza, despite being given 24 hours to leave northern Gaza. This attack resulted in the deaths of 70 civilians and injuries to dozens more, including myself. Below are sources and reports related to this incident:
My daughter Sara :
who was only six months old on October 7, was a source of joy for me as my firstborn after a year of marriage. Now, Sara is one and a half years old, and it is essential for her to have access to basic necessities for her health and development, such as milk, proteins, and vitamins. Unfortunately, throughout the months of war, these necessities have not been sufficiently available, negatively impacting her health and physical growth, in addition to the lack of essential vaccinations for children. Meanwhile, the occupation has closed all the crossings through which humanitarian aid and supplies for children and infants can enter.
Destroying our house :
After our initial evacuation from my home in the Saftawi area, the region was subjected to several intense airstrikes by the occupying forces, resulting in the destruction of part of my house by a guided artillery shell. This destruction directly affected one of the house's columns, posing a risk to its structural integrity. This home held beautiful memories related to my work as a designer, as well as precious moments spent with my daughter Sara. Unfortunately, everything was destroyed, including Sara's toys and her innocent dreams. It is heartbreaking to see your home, which carries the memories of your family, reduced to rubble before your eyes.
Living in Displacement | A Nightmare of Memories and Hardship :
We currently reside in Deir al-Balah, where we have been living in displacement camps for over nine months, surrounded by painful memories and harsh conditions. We suffer from an acute shortage of clean water and basic facilities, making our daily lives a continuous nightmare.
Our suffering is manifested in the difficulty of securing water, as we are forced to search for sources of regular and drinking water, and even when available, it is unfit for use, negatively impacting the health of our children. Diseases and epidemics, such as hepatitis, are spreading among the camp residents, and our daughter Sara has been exposed to these epidemics, further exacerbating our ordeal.
In the midst of these circumstances, we feel as if we are living in a world devoid of life, where our dreams and hopes are fading under the weight of bombardment and displacement. Each day is a new challenge, and every moment carries within it pain and loss. We hope for a day when we can reclaim our lives and live with dignity, far from the horrors of war.
The Father's Work and Struggle to Reclaim His Career :
My work as a graphic designer has always been my passion, as I constantly sought inspiration and aimed to develop my skills in this field. However, since the onset of the war, particularly after my injury, I lost my job and my only source of income—work that I loved and where I felt creative and challenged.
The war has left its negative marks on my hand, as I sustained nerve injuries that significantly impacted my ability to work as a designer. I lost my equipment and became unable to resume my beloved profession. I feel frustrated and saddened by the loss of this important part of my life, but I must try again, despite the difficulties and pain I am enduring.
In these harsh circumstances, I find myself facing a significant challenge in reclaiming my work and returning to what I was before the war. All I have is determination and hope to confront these adversities, as life in Gaza demands even more patience and resilience from us. I will continue to strive until I can return to my cherished profession, despite all the obstacles in my way.
The Goal of Fundraising :
Through our fundraising efforts, we aim to rebuild our lives shattered by war. We seek to secure the necessary funds to reconstruct our home that was destroyed by airstrikes and to undergo the essential surgery I need to regain my ability to work as a graphic designer. Additionally, we need to purchase the equipment required to resume my work, which was our sole source of income.
In these harsh conditions, we also hope to raise funds for travel arrangements in case the border opens, as we need a safe shelter to temporarily accommodate our family away from the horrors of war. We are looking for the possibility of renting an apartment or obtaining a decent tent that can provide us with a minimum level of safety.
Most importantly, we are working to secure the basic necessities for our daughter Sara, such as milk, diapers, and the proteins essential for her growth. With each passing day, we feel the weight of pain and loss, but we cling to hope for a better tomorrow. We appeal to anyone who can lend a helping hand, as every donation is a step toward reclaiming our lost lives amidst these ongoing crises.
Finally, our family hopes to achieve a stable life away from the wars, disasters, and crises that have devastated our lives. We aspire to rebuild our modest life that we lost due to bombardment and displacement. We hope that the father can regain his job and source of income, enabling him to provide for his small family and his infant daughter, who requires special care in these harsh conditions.
Every passing day, we live under the weight of pain and fear, yet our hearts are filled with hope for a better tomorrow. We appeal to anyone who can lend a helping hand, as every donation is a step toward reclaiming our lost lives amidst this brutal war and the genocide ravaging Gaza. We believe that human solidarity can illuminate our dark paths and restore hope to our hearts. Thank you for your support during these difficult times.
Organizer
Katy Sullivan
Organizer
Carrollton, TX