Cover photo is of our friend Anees's sister, Ghada, and was recently taken in Gaza.

**WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN CONTRIBUTE MONTHLY. IF YOU HAVE THAT CAPACITY, PLEASE EMAIL US DIRECTLY AT GAZAAIDDIRECT [AT] GMAIL [DOT] COM**

TO DONATE DIRECTLY:

Venmo @Laura-Kraftowitz

CashApp $LauraKraftowitz

PayPal @laurakraftowitz

* Please notate your contribution as "Anees"

Hello dear supporters,

As you know, the situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Millions are living with little shelter, income, or food amidst violence and displacement. While the announced ceasefire is a welcome respite, even now the need in Gaza remains enormous.

One of those people in need is that of our colleague and good friend, Anees Mansour. This was initially a fundraiser for his family. He has now chosen to focus on his sister, Ghada, who suffers from illness and disability. You can read more about her story below.

Although he now lives in Iceland, Anees grew up in the Yibneh refugee camp in Rafah, and his life has been dedicated to others. He spent years working with the International Solidarity Movement and later channeled his energy into supporting children with trauma at the Rachel Corrie Cultural Center in Rafah. He went on to found the Hope and Peace Foundation, through which he led numerous Ramadan campaigns, providing aid to some of the most vulnerable families in Gaza. He leveraged this team in the first year of the genocide to support over 300 families with tens of thousands of dollars of aid.

This campaign for Ghada seeks to secure funding for her to move outside of Gaza where she would be able to live with her brother, Anees, and receive the care and dignity she deserves.

Beyond material support, this campaign is also a reminder that we are not powerless in the face of injustice. Our grief and anger can be channeled into action, and together, we can provide hope to those who have lost everything. If you would like to donate or learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

With love and gratitude.

Anees, Laura, Serena, and Ali

P.S. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need more information on how to contribute or want to learn more about the situation in Gaza.

WHO WE ARE

We are friends and colleagues who have known each other for 20 years, located in the US, the UK, and Iceland.

Anees Mansour grew up in Yibneh refugee camp in Rafah, Gaza Strip. He has been a human rights worker and organizer since he was 15 years old. He worked with the International Solidarity Movement, the Rachel Corrie Foundation, The Rachel Corrie Cultural Center in Rafah, and was a founder of The Hope and Peace Foundation.

Ali Flebotte is a nurse in Glasgow, Scotland. An active member of their local Jewish community, they see universal human rights, including for Palestinians, as a core part of their Judaism. They spent 4 months in the West Bank and Gaza in 2003 volunteering alongside Palestinians to monitor and directly oppose the effects of the Israeli occupation. They condemn all violence targeting civilians in the region, both the October 7th attacks and holding of hostages, and the ongoing ethnic cleansing in Gaza and long-term extra judicial imprisonment of Palestinians. Since befriending Anees in Rafah in 2003, they have worked together on a Palestinian/Jewish UK speaking tour, and on fundraising to support children and families in Rafah.

Serena is a counselor based in the US. She has worked with a number of Palestine solidarity and liberation organizations over the years, including the International Solidarity Movement, The Rachel Corrie Foundation, and the Olympia Rafah Sister City Project amongst others. She spent time in the West Bank in 2002, lived in Rafah for a time in 2005-2006, and returned to Gaza in 2009 after Operation Cast lead.

Laura Kraftowitz is an organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace who lived in Rafah. She has worked with the International Solidarity Movement, the Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights, the Right to Enter Campaign, and elsewhere.

We seek to be transparent in our efforts. Please feel free to email us if you have any questions about this fundraiser.

Project Summary

This project aims to provide immediate humanitarian support and long-term stability for Ghada Mansour, Anees’ sister. Ghada was born in Gaza on August 3rd, 1978 with Down syndrome. Ghada also suffers from epilepsy and anxiety. Due to the difficulty of life growing up in the Gaza Strip Ghada has faced a life of illness and neglect. Since Ghada lost her parents, her father in 2020, and her mother at the beginning of this war in 2023, life for her since October 2023 has become beyond challenging. Now, two years into the war, Ghada is without stable housing, regular food, clean water, medication or even the consistency of family. The emotional harm and neglect from a lack of basic care and necessities unavailable in Gaza has taken a toll on Ghada over the past two years.

It is Anees’ wish to relocate Ghada safely to Egypt or Jordan, where he would live with and care for his sister. Though there is a new ceasefire taking shape in Gaza, the strip has been decimated and lacks basic necessities. Once in Egypt or Jordan Ghada would be able to access secure housing, daily caregiving, and regular medical follow-up. With this effort we hope to restore dignity and stability to Ghada’s life.

If relocation proves impossible due to political or security restrictions, the project will instead focus on building a private, fully equipped home for Ghada inside Gaza, bypassing long-term reconstruction delays.

This project will ensure transparency and donor accountability. Please reach out for these details. In the unfortunate event of Ghada’s passing, all contributions will either be refunded to donors or redirected—based on their collective decision—to support other individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses in Gaza.

Ghada’s Story

Born 08/03/1978, Ghada was the only female child in her household. She was born in Rafah city, near the border with Egypt. Since childhood she has suffered from illness and disability that has required special care and stability to maintain her care. Her parents cared for Ghada until their deaths in 2020 and 2023, respectively. Since then Ghada has lived on and off between her brothers that remain in Gaza and their families. It has been near impossible for Ghada to receive the care needed either from her brothers or the collapsed health care system in Gaza. Only God has taken care of her, as she has been marginalized and neglected within her surroundings. The severity of neglect she suffers from underscores the urgent need for immediate humanitarian intervention to ensure her safety and dignity.

Project Goals:

Expected Outcomes:

Estimated Budget:

Note: The following figures are preliminary estimates for funding requests. They may be adjusted after the host country (Egypt or Jordan) is selected and actual quotes are obtained. All figures are in USD.

Total fundraising goal is $100,000.

Transparency in Case of Death (God forbid):

It is important to note that due to her fragile health condition, Ghada may pass away at any time. Should this happen, all funds will be managed with complete transparency. Donors will have two options:

Call for Collective Effort:

We are fully aware that many people are exhausted from continuous donations to Gaza, and that countless lives have already been lost and much has been sacrificed for its people.

Resources are limited, and donors have given beyond measure. Yet, despite these challenges, we continue to hold firm hope in God that this specific dream can still be realized. We believe it is possible to raise the needed support for Ghada within a short time—if efforts are unified. At this moment, we urgently need the solidarity of close friends, extended networks, and generous donors to share this campaign widely, explain its importance, and encourage contributions. Even if the help provides relief for just a few days, it could mean the world for Ghada’s dignity and survival.