From Despair to Hope: Help us to rebuild our life.

Hi I am Fatima and live in London UK. I have known Rola now for approximately seven years. Rola is a mother to two children and lives in the middle of the Gaza Strip.

As you all know Gaza is in a catastrophic state. There is no electricity, access to clean water or food. Due to the horrific conditions 50% of the population is currently homeless and dying of starvation. Most days the Weather is very harsh with constant rain and cold conditions.

Rather then me write about Rola, Rola herself has decided to write to you and explain her reasons for this fundraiser. I am Rola from the Gaza Strip, married and I have two children.

I was living in a house full of love and hope, till October 7th. This war started and destroyed everything. Our house was destroyed, and our lives and dreams were destroyed. At exactly 7:30 in the morning, my husband, my children, and I were sitting drinking coffee on the balcony, and suddenly there was a cloud of dust above us and the sound of a missile exploding loudly. My husband ran to the kitchen with my son and from the speed of running, they fell on top of each other, I did not move from the shock that I felt. I still had the feeling in my hands that I was holding my cup, but my ears were ringing due to the intensity of the sound. Everything around me was shattered. There was no doors or windows left. The house shook violently, I thought the bomb was in my house. Moments later, I heard the sound of screaming and crying. We went to the window. I found my neighbors’ house, which consisted of several floors. It had become ashes. There was no house and the sound of ambulances everywhere.

People were running everywhere, taking children, women and men out from under the rubble to take them to the hospital. The bombing continued all day, nothing more terrifying. Can you imagine it? We could not sleep at all due to the intensity of the bombings. At night it rains heavily and it is very cold. Every few minutes I cover my children so that they dont feel cold, and I look at them with so much love, just like every other mother and contemplate. Suddenly the sound of a missile descends and a big explosion occurs.

Our neighbors’ house was bombed and they have many children. The ambulance and people came out to remove those inside from the house from under the rubble while the heavy rain fell on them, the smell of sulfur was everywhere. The ambulance found them dead with blood on their bodies. Can you imagine that?!

The children were cold and their mother covered them as they slept, then they went to sleep but the cover did not protect them from death. The cover was full of blood and the children were dead.

I looked at my children with tears in my eyes and said, “How will I protect you?” What do I do ! I had to go to my parents' house because everyone was leaving the area. My children and I were crying so hard because I didn't have time to take much of our own things. We left our house with a heavy heart without taking our childrens toys or clothes. We left their beautiful bedroom behind. Now everything is destroyed. Our memories are gone. Everything we had is gone.

We are now living in a nightmare. There is little foodnand it is very expensive. I went to buy some sugar and the price of a kilo was $20! We are living in a nightmare. We used to work and have a home, a life, and a story. Now we have nothing but bombing, terror, and fear of death at any moment,

Everyone used to live with dignity in their homes, but everything has been destroyed. We are living in a nightmare. Why is this happening to us and why are our children living this nightmare? Why in their childhood they have become homeless? Why don't we live a normal life like every one else on this planet, go to work, visit our families and our children go to school and are able to play in the amusement park!? Why do our children sleep afraid of death? Help us rebuild our lives, and help our children from dying.

My friend Rola, needs to save her family, she needs get her family out of Gaza or restore their home if they are allowed to return.

Rola and her family miss life before October 7th. Just like me and you Rola would take her children out to eat ice cream, or to amusement parks. Now all that has gone. Can you imagine such a loss?

Thank you for reading about my life, please donate whatever you can. Every donation matters and will make a difference. Please share my story with your friends and family.