Rebuild Gholam Family Home after Beirut Explosion

Hello,
 
My name is Bechara Gholam (Bicha), and by now I’m sure you’ve seen that horrible explosion in Beirut, Lebanon on August 4th, 2020 that decimated the port and surrounding areas unlike anything the country has experienced before.  My decades-old family home in Gemayzeh, Lebanon, was destroyed by the chemical explosion. Over 6,000 people were injured by the massive blast, over 180 civilians have been killed and leaving an estimated 300,000 people homeless. The apocalyptic scene has left Lebanon and its people in complete destruction and disarray. Lives, homes, and businesses have been devastated or lost forever.
 
Now, I need your help. I’m raising money to help my family in Lebanon rebuild their home – and their lives. They were fortunate enough to survive the explosion that occurred only a quarter of a mile away from their house. However, everything is destroyed – their home, their belongings and some of their sentimental possessions. My grandparents’ home, where my uncle and his family live, was reduced to rubble. As you see in the photos and videos, walls and ceilings have collapsed, windows are blown out, and all the furniture needs to be restored. They are in dire need of assistance, and amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, their entire life has been upended.
 
I hope to help them fix the house up and make it livable again – a place they can feel security and peace. My childhood memories come from spending time in that house with my grandparents, running from room to room and going up 100 steps just to get to the front door. The house has been in our family for more than 100 years. My father and all his siblings grew up in that house. My uncle Gaby Gholam, who is the youngest of all the brothers is the life of the party and he would always go out of his way to take me around when I visited Lebanon.  Even though he had a family and worked all day he still made time to make sure it saw the nightlife in Lebanon. Growing up in Lebanon made me the person who I am.  Made me strong, resilient and taught me that you can make it through anything no matter what happens.  I will always call it home.

Thus, our family set up this GoFundMe to help them begin the rebuilding process, and we appreciate all who are willing and able to contribute to the effort. We understand this is an incredibly tough time for everyone, so we are grateful, from the bottom of our hearts, for any contribution – no matter how big or small. Your generosity means the world to our family.
 
I know that with the pandemic that times are tough and I understand that it might be hard to donate but every little amount will be so helpful to my uncles Gaby’s family.  I hope that you can help. If you are not able to donate, please share this post with friends and family.

Please feel free to Venmo @bicha if that's easier.  It will all go to the same place. 
 
Thank you,
 
Bechara Gholam (Bicha)