Saving Yusuf's Heart & Family: A Cry for Help from Gaza

Hello everyone, my name is Corentin Richard. I am a 26 year-old, living on the French Riviera. You can contact me via IG (@jeanmichelpetanque) or WhatsApp (+33695175108).

I first came in contact with Hanan Abu Shaaban & her family a few months ago. Her family consists of 4 people: Hanan, her husband Mustafa Al-Shurafa, and their two boys, Yusuf (8 years old) & Bashir (2 years old).

Her previous GFM reached around 14,000 €. However, the bank of the benefitor, in Finland, blocked the fundraiser. The goals of this GFM are the same as before, namely:

- pay for everyday expenses (food, water, medicine, shelter), with prices that have skyrocketed since the war started

- pay for Yusuf's medical care (heart issues)

- evacuate to Egypt whenever the Rafah crossing is open again

Now Mustafa will explain the family's situation in more details:

Hello, dear friends,

I am Mustafa Al-Shurafa from Gaza, a devoted civil engineer, and a loving husband to Hanan Al-Shurafa. Let me introduce you to our family, with our precious sons Yusuf (8 years old) and Bashir (2 years old). We are facing a very difficult situation, and we urgently need your support to leave Gaza and to literally save our lives.

Yusuf, eight years old, our little hero, battles not one but two heart conditions: a narrowed pulmonary valve and a deviation in the aortic artery. His journey to treatment was halted by the war, which started now more than 10 months ago, leaving him vulnerable and frail. The overall bad conditions and the summer heat even cause Yusuf to faint at times. Due to the lack of suitable medical care and nourishment in Gaza, Yusuf's health deteriorates day by day, breaking our hearts as parents.

Bashir, our two-year-old bundle of joy, deserves the innocence of any child in this world, yet he's grown up amidst the chaos and uncertainty of conflict. His laughter mingles with the echoes of explosions in Gaza, and his tiny frame bears the burden of displacement and deprivation. As parents, it pains us deeply to see our children robbed of the innocence, safety and stability they deserve.

Our family was living peacefully until we were forcibly displaced from our home, in Gaza City. With nowhere to turn to, we sought refuge with family members, in crowded spaces, and with little sustenance. Each move brought new challenges, from bitter cold to constant illness, leaving us desperate for a glimmer of hope.

Today, I stand before you, humbled, desperate and tired after 10 months of this crisis, pleading for your kindness and generosity. Our journey to safety and healing requires significant financial support, including travel expenses to Egypt, where Yusuf can receive the life-saving treatment he urgently needs. We also need these funds for simple, everyday expenses, such as shelter, food, water, or medicine. With your support, we can at least stand on our feet, before we get a new start in life, all four of us. Our two boys especially need your help.

- 10000 € will be utilized to facilitate my family's relocation from Gaza strip to Egypt.

- 65000 € will be allocated to cover medical expenses for my son, including doctor consultations, specialized treatments, and medications.

- A portion of the donations, around 15000 €, will be allocated to cover residence procedures of my family in Egypt after relocation, including legal applications, housing arrangements, and relavant expenses.

Our destroyed house:

Our current shelter:

Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to our goal. Together, we can save Yusuf's precious heart and preserve Bashir's innocence amidst the chaos. With your support, we can stay together as a family and find safety and medical assistance in Egypt. Your support is our lifeline, and we are eternally grateful for your compassion and generosity.

Please, help us rewrite our family's story and restore hope in the midst of darkness. Join us in this journey of love, healing, and resilience.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Mustafa Al-Shurafa