Help Waleed Family From Gaza Rebuild Their Life
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Hello, dear world!
This is Waleed Family from Gaza, Palestine. We would like to share the immense challenges we are facing during this dreadful war. We are a beautiful family struggling to survive amidst the war and brutality in the Gaza Strip. We have not only witnessed the devastation and the massive loss, but we have endured the suffering of hunger and the desperate need for a safe livelihood.
Before the war, Waleed Family lived a stable, beautiful life. Waleed, the husband, and Tahreer, the mother, together worked tirelessly to provide for their family everything they need. But since the war began, everything has negatively changed. We lost our source of income, stability, and security. At the start of the war, we were forced to evacuate our home in North Gaza to South Gaza under heavy fire and shellings. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine we would one day be struggling to survive.
Waleed Family consists of 6 members: parents and 4 beautiful kids.
Waleed (the father, 37 years old) is originally a teacher of English language. He has been one of the most distinguished teachers across Gaza for the last decade. After the war started, he lost his job and he is no longer a teacher; he lost his source of income. All he is doing during the war is trying to secure water and food for his family.
Tahreer (the mother, 36 years old) is an owner of a women's beauty salon in North Gaza. The salon was destroyed and she is hoping to rebuild a better salon in the near future. She is suffering from posterior discal bulges at C4-C5 and C5-C6. She planned to travel to Egypt last year for medical treatment, but the war prevented her. Now, she is suffering more and her pain is increasing because she is doing her housework, especially washing clothes, by hand, as there is no electricity at all.
Meera (daughter, 13 years old) lost her rights to learn, to play and to live in peace. She loves drawing; she is an artist. She lost all her colors and paintings when our home was destroyed during the war. She tries to practice her hobby of drawing and painting in our tent, but she doesn't have all the necessary materials.
Khaled (son, 10 years old) has been deprived from going to school to learn and meet his friends for over a year. He is always helping dad filling water gallons and carrying them to the tent. He is suffering from 'uncontrolled urine' while sleeping at night as a result of getting scared of sounds of bombings and shellings.
Malek (son, 7 years old) was supposed to be starting his first school days in grade 1 when the war started. He went to school for only one month. Since then, he wasn't practicing his right to learn in a peaceful environment just like the world's other children. As a result of the fear from bombings and death, he is suffering from bumbling when speaking.
Sanad (son, 3 years old) is my youngest innocent son who is too young to witness the hardest war, destruction, death and blood. As a result of shortage of hygiene items, he is suffering from skin eruption.
My four kids are enduring inhumane living conditions in the tent after forced displacement. Additionally, they are living in an unhealthy environment. Sadly, instead of going to school every morning to learn, they stand in a line for a long time under the hot sun to fill water and get food. (Below is a photo of my kids before and after October 7th 2023)
Filling water is the most tiring mission; we have to walk long distances and wait in long queues to obtain it. Food is scarce, adding to our daily struggles. (Below are photos of my kids while waiting daily to fill water)
Our home, which is our haven in Jabalia Camp in North Gaza, fell victim to bombings and totally destroyed, leaving us not just homeless but also crying for the loss of cherished memories and the sense of security. Now in the South Gaza, especially in Deir Al-Balah City, we are seeking refuge in a humble tent. Living in these makeshift tents presenting numerous challenges. No bathroom, no kitchen, and we use firewoods to cook, and everything is hard for us. (Below photos of the home building where Waleed was living in North Gaza before it was completely destroyed)
Living in a tent is hell. Our children, who once had their own rooms and warm beds, are now exposed to the cold and the diseases. The extreme weather of the coast, with its severe cold at night and extreme heat during the day, compounds our hardships, making life in the tents unbearable at times. (Below is a photo of my youngest son Sanad while suffering from the heat inside the tent while sleeping)
After more than one year of heavy bombings, it's hard to imagine the pain and suffering of Waleed and his family. Without electricity, fuel or water, even baking bread entails suffering. (Below Waleed and his wife are preparing bread and cooking under the burning sun over fire)
The objective of this fundraiser is to help Waleed Family to cover the costs to cross the Rafah borfer to Egypt and flee Gaza. In addition, the donations will help us obtain life essentials like food, drinking water, clothes, shoes, hygiene products and other necessities that we need and we lost when our home in North Gaza was shelled and destroyed. Noting that prices of goods keep being very high and expensive; they are multiplied 5 to 6 times compared to their original prices. This puts more burdens on our shoulders during this difficult period, and make it unaffordable.
Examples:
- One can of shampoo costs $40 while it's originally only $3
- One piece of soap costs $10 while it's originally only $0.27
- A liter of cooking oil costs $5 while it's originally only $2
- A cartoon of eggs costs $20 while it's originally only $3
- One kilo of apples costs $5.5 while it's originally only $0.55
- One can of yogurt costs $0.82 while it's originally $0.27
- One packet of biscuits costs $2 while it's originally only $0.5
- One kilo of potatos costs $5 while it's originally only $0.5
- One pair of slippers costs $55 while it's originally only $2.5
- One pair of pants costs $27 while it's originally only $10
My family is looking for a safer environment where we can rebuild and pursue a brighter future. Although leaving behind our cherished memories is incredibly painful, we are determined to find stability and security abroad, seeking solace and support as we embark on this challenging journey.
Here is a video of Waleed Family life before and after October 7th 2023.
Please, refer to Waleed Family Instagram account if you'd like more information or to contact me.
Your help will make an incredible difference in our lives. By contributing, you will help Waleed Family give their children the warmth and safety they deserve. Every contribution, no matter its size is, brings us one step closer to regaining the life we lost.
Your generosity will not only rebuild our life but restore hope in our hearts. Your support is not just a lifeline for my family but also a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of war.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with us and offering your generousity.
With deepest gratitude,
Waleed, on behalf of his family
(This fundraiser is hosted by Liam Orr from London, UK. Liam is a dear friend of Waleed's since 2018. We met when Liam volunteered as an online teacher with Waleed's classes via the Hands Up Project charity.)
Organizer
Liam Orr
Organizer
England