Saving Hashem's Family: A Cry for Tomorrow

My name is Mohammed AlAshi and I am organising a fundraising with a heartfelt plea on behalf of my close friend, Hashem Humaid.

We are currently raising funds to cover the needs of 4 people (Hashem, his wife and their two children), who are displaced in Deir al-Balah, for the next 6 months, which would require around $12,355 in addition to the money already raised.

From Hashem: "We need many things to prepare for the winter. My children desperately need warm clothes and additional blankets, as life in the tent makes it very hard to stay warm. I'm worried that the blankets we have won't be enough when the cold gets harsher. We also need kitchen supplies, additional nylon sheets to reinforce the sides of the tent, and most urgently, flour, as it's currently scarce and very expensive. Moreover, my children's shoes are torn and worn out, so we need new ones for them."

In addition to the items needed to prepare for winter, meeting their daily needs is increasingly difficult due to constant price fluctuations. Their daily expenses vary depending on the availability and prices of items, but on average, they need about $40 to $55 per day to cover essentials like food, water, and other necessities. With this amount, they try to live throughout the month, providing food, water, medication, and other essentials. However, the situation has become extremely difficult, especially with rising prices and the scarcity of basic necessities.

A breakdown of daily expenses:

Drinking water: 6 NIS or $1.65 USD

Bread (8 loaves, when available): 35 NIS or $9.60 USD

Vegetables or rice (including oil and spices): 40 NIS or $10.97 USD

Cooking gas or firewood: 10 NIS or $2.74 USD

Snacks for the children: 6 NIS or $1.65 USD

Dinner and breakfast (canned goods, za'atar, fava beans, feta cheese, or simple salads): 50 NIS or $13.71 USD

Fruits or sweets (when available, not daily): Minimum 20 NIS or $5.48 USD

Medicine, clothes, shoes, blankets, plastic cups/plates, and school supplies: 30 NIS+ or $8.23 USD

This totals to 197 NIS or $55 per day, or approximately $1650 per month for the whole family.

They receive monthly funds from the campaign, which are transferred to Hashem's bank account by me, Mohammed. Hashem has to pay a commission of 20% on the amount withdrawn when he takes out cash from the bank. Therefore, the transfer fees come to $1980.

GoFundMe fees (4%): $475.

This brings the total that Hashem's family requires to survive the next six months of winter to about $12,355 or €12,100. Thank you so much for any support you are able to provide, it means the world to Hashem's family.

Hashem, a 37-year-old father and former web developer from Gaza, faces a dire situation that's hard for many of us to imagine. He once led a peaceful life with his two children, Salah, 11, and Sahar, 9, filled with the comfort and joy of a loving home. However, the outbreak of war in Gaza turned their world upside down, leaving them with nothing but memories of happier times.

In the wake of the conflict, Hashem's home was destroyed, forcing him and his family to flee in search of safety. Their journey for refuge led them to a makeshift tent, far from the stability and security they once knew. Life in the tent is harsh and unforgiving; they battle the extreme cold at night and the unbearable heat by day, with limited access to clean water and sufficient food. The psychological toll on the children is palpable; Salah and Sahar are shadowed by fear and longing for the life and friends they left behind.

Amidst this struggle for survival, Hashem's father's health is deteriorating, with no access to the necessary medical care within the besieged walls of Gaza. The family is caught in a relentless cycle of hardship, desperately needing to escape not just for a better life but for the survival of Hashem's father.

Hashem's ability to work and provide for his family is crippled by the lack of electricity and internet, cutting off any hope for earning a living in their current conditions. Faced with these insurmountable challenges, Hashem has made the difficult decision to seek a better future for his family in Egypt, where his children can continue their education, his father can receive the medical treatment he desperately needs, and he can return to work.

The journey to Egypt comes with a hefty price tag; travel expenses alone amount to $5,000 per person. With a family of four, Hashem needs to raise €30,000 to cover the cost of travel, initial living expenses, and medical treatment for his father. This is where Hashem turns to the global community for support.

"Saving Hashem's Family: A Cry for Tomorrow" isn't just a story of one family's fight for survival; it's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the impact of collective compassion. By contributing to Hashem's fund, you're not just offering financial assistance; you're providing a beacon of hope, a chance for a family to rebuild from the ashes of despair and look towards a brighter future. This campaign is a call to action for anyone who believes in the power of community and the undeniable strength of human kindness in the face of adversity.

The funds will be directed to Hashem's Bank account in Palestine Bank - IBAN : PS91PALS045431069920013000000