Help the El-Bawab Family Flee Gaza and Rebuild

Hello, we are Krystal Elliott, Danielle Szasz, and Celia Summers three friends of the El-Bawab family. Danielle and Celia live in the US and due to restrictions placed on fundraising efforts in Gaza, Celia is acting as the beneficiary for this fundraiser, although all funds raised are being transferred directly to Tareq El-Bawab. The following message is from Tareq:

Hello, my name is Tareq El-Bawab, and I'm reaching out to you from Gaza, ten months into the war, where my family and I are facing challenges we could never have dreamed would become our daily reality.

Prior to the war I worked as a software engineer, and my wife, Areej, lovingly managed our home while caring for our baby, Emad, who was 10 months old at the time we were forced to leave our home and all our belongings. She now cares for Emad, who is currently 20 months old and our daughter, Tala, who is three months old, and was born in April 2024 amidst the ongoing turmoil of war.

During the past months we have had to endure unimaginably difficult conditions. The war has disrupted our daily lives and shattered our hopes for a peaceful future. In Gaza, we experience frequent power outages, relying on solar energy when available. Access to clean water for drinking and washing is a daily challenge. Food shortages persist due to the blockade, with canned goods as our main source when available. For our children, obtaining milk and diapers is particularly challenging. When possible, I buy large quantities to store for a month or two, but ongoing displacement limits storage capacity and has made these everyday necessities extremely expensive and often difficult or impossible to find..

Alongside these hardships, I lost my job after the war, and we still do not know the condition of our home prior to the war because it is in the north of Gaza and it is unsafe to go back and check. Now, as we move around in southern Gaza, I struggle to provide basic necessities like food, water, and medical care for my children. We are currently sharing a small room located in a dangerous combat zone. Our savings are nearly depleted, and our current living conditions are unsafe.

Furthermore, hospitals have been severely damaged, and access to medical care for my children is scarce. Obtaining necessary medications is also difficult. On top of all this, we face the daily challenge of having to try to cook whatever food we are able to obtain every day over wood fires, which consumes a significant amount of time for both myself and my wife, reducing the time we can spend caring for our children. Every day, I have to fetch water for washing, bathing, and drinking, as well as wood for cooking, often standing in long lines. Sometimes, water is not available or unfit for drinking, an unthinkable situation when caring for a baby and toddler.

**Our Goal**

We are seeking to raise $30,000.

**How Your Donations Will Be Used**

$15,000 will go towards coordinating our travel and covering the governmental coordination fees for crossing the border:

- $5,000 for Areej

- $5,000 for myself

- $2,500 for Emad

- $2,500 for Tala

**Securing a Home - $5,000**

$5,000 will be allocated to rent an apartment for at least six months. This will provide us with a stable and safe environment where we can begin to rebuild our lives.

**Essential Items and Support - $10,000**

After deducting GoFundMe's fees, which typically amount to around 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation, the remaining funds will be used as follows:

- Covering residency and passport application expenses.

- Purchasing new clothing for the family, as we've been in need of new attire after 10 months of war.

- Providing essential items such as food, drinks, diapers, and milk. This will sustain us until I secure employment to support my family again.

- Paying utility bills including water, electricity, and internet to ensure we have the necessary services for daily living.

- Seeking psychological treatment to help us cope with the trauma of the war. After enduring ten months of conflict, we need professional help to address the emotional and psychological impacts on each family member.

Your generous donations will not only provide us with immediate relief but also give us the foundation we need to start anew and rebuild our lives after this devastating experience. Your kindness and compassion mean the world to us during this difficult time. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

**How We Will Receive the Funds**

Celia Summers will transfer the funds from the US to my bank account to cover the costs of coordinating our travel and other needs. This will help us navigate the complex and costly procedures needed to leave Gaza and find safety.

Every donation, no matter how small, will have a profound impact on our lives. It will help save my children's lives and give us a chance to start anew in a safer place. Your generosity and kindness mean the world to us, and I promise to keep in touch with everyone who helps us along the way.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone willing to help us. Your support gives us hope in our darkest hours.

With deepest gratitude.