Urgent Relief : Help Shadi's Family Evacuate Gaza

Hi, my name is Lorenzo Brown. I am from Dallas, Texas USA. I am a former volunteer instructor with the Gaza Sky Geeks Program. I am running this campaign on behalf of my good friend and former pupil, Shadi Ed. All proceeds will be sent directly to him via Western Union since he is not able to set up an account on his own. I will provide transfer details on every penny of the funds once the campaign closes. I will let Shadi introduce himself below:

Hi

I'm Shadi from Gaza, a young man in his twenties. I recently turned twenty-five in January. I work in the field of software development. I've lived a life filled with mental peace, emotion, energy, and commitment. I had dreams and aspirations, an educational and professional journey I wanted to continue. However, this destructive and brutal war came, shattering my dreams and altering the course of my life to ashes.

I reach out to you with an urgent request amid these challenging circumstances that have drastically changed my life and my family's life. Through sharing our story, I hope we can find support and assistance during these tough times, facing unimaginable hardship.

We endured a horrifying war that left nothing but destruction for 139 terrifying days. The toll of this conflict extends beyond the material world, as it consumes our souls mercilessly. The calm rhythm of our lives was abruptly shattered by the arrival of a devastating war. The symphony of falling rockets, distant and nearby explosions we woke up to on the first day of the war, was a harsh and extremely painful introduction.

My family faced immense difficulties, with the hardest being at the beginning of the war when we received the shocking news of the loss of my sister's husband and their three children. Abdulrahman, Abduljawad, and Layan Abu Ras lost their lives when their home was bombed while they were sleeping peacefully. My sister's resilience amid this tragedy is heavy, and the pain of losing her family in such a tragic way is unimaginable. We are all that she has left.

I don't want to forget my mother's struggles with osteoporosis, aggravated by difficult living conditions and a shortage of necessary medications. This adds another layer of difficulty to an already challenging situation, making overcoming daily struggles of displacement, fear, and danger even harder.

I won't prolong the story. The Israeli army threatened our home and asked us to leave to the southern part of the Gaza Strip. We fled to Rafah, living in a tent without electricity, gas, clean water, or food. The constant displacement in Rafah, searching for clean food whenever available, and the constant quest for a safe haven were part of our reality.

This war didn't just destroy our homeland; it also affected our physical and mental health. As an athlete and software developer, I not only lost my source of income but also my sense of security and comfort. The bombing of my father's factory, our main source of income, rendered us vulnerable and on the brink of collapse.

My transition from a software developer to someone seeking basic necessities like firewood is a stark example of the profound changes that war can bring. The challenges of displacement, rising prices, and difficulty accessing essential resources worsen the difficulties my family faces.

Life in the south, as described, is not just difficult; it is a continuous ordeal. Constant exposure to danger, challenges of displacement, and the spread of diseases due to a lack of vaccines and medicine exacerbate the difficulties we face, forcing us to adapt to an unimaginable life.

The ground invasion approaches the place where I sought refuge these difficult and perilous circumstances, with increasing threats looming at every moment, with a heavy heart, my family and I made the difficult decision to seek refuge through the Rafah crossing – the only way that might lead us to safety.

As you know, leaving Gaza is extremely costly. I rely on your generosity to please donate to my fundraising campaign and share my story with your friends. With your cooperation, it could be a lifeline for my family to escape the clutches of war and pave a new path towards a safe and hopeful future.

My plea is a desperate call for survival and to keep my family intact, a call to escape the imminent danger surrounding us. Every night, I dream of a life free from the horrors of war and an opportunity to rebuild and continue pursuing the aspirations I held just five months ago.

Help Jwan Overcome a Rare Genetic Battle

Jwan, born on December 31, 2016, came into the world like an angel, yet faced a rare congenital defect affecting her eyesight and growth. Despite early surgeries on her head and eyes, Jwan's future remained uncertain.

Her mother, Diana, was unaware of her condition until two days after birth. With no genetic predispositions in the family, Jwan's challenges were unexpected. Yet, with love and care, she defied medical expectations—learning to walk, speak, and adapt.

At the "Noor" school for the disabled and visually impaired, Jwan excelled, surrounded by her loving siblings, Abdurrahman, Abduljawad, and Layan. However, on December 1, 2022, Jwan's life changed drastically. Severe jaundice led to a series of hospital visits and a diagnosis of a viral attack on her blood, causing immune failure.

Despite treatments in Gaza and referrals to Hadassah Hospital in Israel, the cause of her bone marrow failure remained elusive. A bone marrow transplant was the only hope, but finding a compatible donor was a challenge. Her sister Layan was a match but needed time to mature.

Tragically, Layan, along with Jwan's father and siblings, perished in the conflict. Today, Jwan's health deteriorates under relentless treatment, her family shattered by loss.

We haven't told Jwan about her family's fate or the destruction of their home. The relentless occupation continues to haunt her life.

Your support can help Jwan receive the care she desperately needs

Bono & Liza and her Kittens

Bono, where do I begin to write about you, who departed taking with you my entire dictionary of words, all my poems, and all the feelings of warmth, safety, and companionship? You were my dearest friend, with the gentlest heart and eyes as deep as the sea waves.

Bono came into our home a day before Eid, like a little baby. I never expected he would become my other half. Bono was not just an ordinary cat; he was like a little brother and my favorite companion in the room and in everything. He was a part of our family, with his share of everything: food, space, expenses, and care. I grew deeply attached to him, especially when he waited for me at the door every day when I left for the gym, university, or work, and eagerly awaited my return. Our bond strengthened even more as I felt his affection and closeness to me more than anyone else in my family. He saw me as his protector, safe haven, and warm embrace. We lived together for seven years, through all the beautiful and sad moments, through every occasion. He was my constant companion. I wouldn't exaggerate if I told you he was my beloved son and my second heart - my other half. But the war did not allow this strong bond to continue any longer. It took Bono away from me, and it took my soul with him.

I risked my life to save him and Liza from the horrors of shelling and terror. Bono witnessed the ground invasion on Gaza in the early days of the war, the hardest days. We were besieged for several days without sufficient food for them. Bono's health was deteriorating, yet I risked my life to save him from death. I passed through a checkpoint on Salah al-Din Street, walking for nearly seven continuous hours, as if it were a journey of death, carrying Bono and Liza in a bag not meant for cats. When I arrived in Rafah at night, I couldn't believe I was still alive. When I took Bono out of the bag, it was as if he came back to life.

Bono's health was severely impacted by the nearby explosions and intense shelling, which took a toll on his well-being and ultimately led to his passing.

I didn't give up on you, my friend, and I will never forget you.

Rest in peace, Bono.

On April 20, 2024, Bono passed away

Video bono link : https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6BGQRXN-vB/?igsh=NGp3MGtpNWJ1Y29z

Liza, since the beginning of the war, has been like any cat in Gaza, struggling to get sufficient food. She gave birth to Remy, Leo, and little Bono. Due to the scarcity of necessary cat food and milk, which cannot be imported here, despite its prolonged absence for nearly a year, Liza did not eat the food she was accustomed to. Even Liza and her cats were not spared from all of this.

I need your support to provide them with the necessary food so that I don't lose them as I lost Bono a few days ago.

Liza, the beautiful cat, hasn't been the same since Bono's death. She is experiencing depression and disturbance from losing him, searching for him every day but not finding him.

I don't want to lose Liza too, as I lost Bono.

Your contribution is not just aid; it is a beacon of hope in our darkest hours, in these challenging times.

I appreciate your help and support forever. I love you all !

With deep gratitude,

Shadi Aldaya

here are the links to my accounts where I share updates:

My account on x : shadi_ed99

My account on tiktok : shadi_ed99 , shadi_ed996