Extending a Helping Hand:Supporting My Displaced Gaza Family
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My dear friends and supporters,
My name is Karam Swidan, and I am 33 years old. I was born and raised in Gaza. I left Gaza in the summer of 2016 and I live in Northern Virginia, US. I haven't seen my family since I came to the US due to the prolonged, complicated immigration process.
I work as a registered nurse at Inova Alexandria Hospital. I'm pursuing my master's degree to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I have been serving my local community in the DMV area since 2018 and I was on the frontline during the Pandemic.
When I was in Gaza, I worked as a nurse during the harrowing 2014 war, where I faced unimaginable difficulties and even survived near-death experiences. Despite the traumatic experiences, I remained committed to helping those in need, including volunteering to transport injured children to safety through dangerous circumstances.
While my past experiences have been challenging, my work as a healthcare provider in the DMV area has allowed me to focus on healing and supporting my patients. However, the ongoing war has triggered dark memories of the past, leading to difficulties in returning to work due to constant fear of losing my family, random panic attacks, and lack of concentration. For now, I have chosen not to provide direct patient care to ensure my safety and that of the patients.
My Family's Story
My family has been grappling with the profound grief and turmoil brought on by the ongoing genocide. The series of tragedies began with the loss of my cousin Yasser, 27 years old, who was tragically killed in an airstrike by Israeli forces while on his way home from work on October 7. Yasser's murder left a deep scar on us. We shared countless fond memories from our childhood. A week after Yasser's murder, my grandmother Fatima, whose health had worsened due to the sorrow of losing her grandchild, sadly passed away.
- "Yasser", days before he was murdered.
In another heartbreaking incident, my childhood friend, and my cousin Magdy and his 5-year-old daughter Yasmin were also killed in an Israeli airstrike on their neighbor's house. The loss continued with an airstrike on my uncle Jamal's house, which claimed the lives of three of his sons and a grandchild. Miraculously, my uncle survived with minor injuries. However, the loss of his children, grandchild, and house left him in deep sorrow and agony.
- Magdy and his prinecess "Yasmin".
The tragedies continued when another airstrike struck my other uncle's house, leaving one of his daughters severely injured. The loss of 13 of my family members and our beloved ones has left a deep void in our lives.
- My uncle is crying for his son and grandchild. Do you see the child in the video? This is Magdy's oldest son. Focus on his face.
My parents and siblings have been displaced multiple times; the IDF mandated an evacuation order for our entire camp and asked them to go to Deir-Al Bablah City, a few miles south of my camp. Israeli forces claimed it would be a safe zone, and the Nuseirat camp was a battlefield.
Initially, my family refused to evacuate and were determined to stay in our house. Still, days later, Israeli forces bombed tons of houses near my family and killed over 500 civilians in less than 48 hours. The Israeli forces targeted multiple of our neighbors and destroyed their houses; the airstrikes have killed and injured many of my innocent neighbors. Our neighbor's houses were located on the same block as my family's; the bombardments caused partial damage to our house; my family told me all windows got destroyed, and the wall that faces our neighbor's house also got damaged.
Thank God none of my family got injured, but per my father, they inhaled a lot of dust and weird gas that flooded our house after the airstrikes. At this point, my family evacuated to the south, seeking safety.
A week after my family's evacuation, my mother told me that the area they went to was not as safe as they claimed. The bombardments are still there, and they are dangerous.
A month later, despite all the danger, my family decided to go back to our house in Nuseirat camp; my family couldn't endure the brutal cold, lack of food, water, all basic needs, and a month of being homeless; my family realized that nowhere in Gaza is safe.
The destruction in our neighborhood in the heart of the Nuseirat refugee camp, south Gaza city.
The struggles extend beyond the immediate impact of airstrikes and displacement. The lack of access to necessities like food, water, and shelter has added to the hardships faced by my family in Gaza.
- My mother and Ehab make food, and they usually collect whatever wood is available to make a fire for cooking or heating water (This picture was at the beginning of the war).
- "Resilience"
Introducing My beloved Family in Gaza
My parents, Hasan and Raeda, are the sturdy pillars of dedication and caring. My father's journey from a teacher to a high school principal reflects his lifetime educational commitment. My beloved mother has always been devoted, tirelessly caring for me and my siblings. I fondly recall her helping my brothers and sisters with their schoolwork. She also delighted us with her unique skills, creating delectable food and pastries still lingering in my memory.
- Our Heroes, Hasan and Raeda
- My father and his school soccer team are celebrating winning the championship in East Gaza district.
- This what mother wrote on her FB last December
Translation: "The letters of the alphabet cannot express this sorrow and tyranny, so how can the heart endure it?
In nights of pain, we create patience as a shelter and faith as a bed. Sometimes, we taste helplessness, and sometimes, hope. We consume viciousness gradually so it doesn't run away like water and food".
Shabaan and Said, my brothers, pursued their education in Gaza to secure a future in Gaza. Despite facing the challenges of unemployment due to the harsh economic situation, Shabaan, aged 30, with a Psychology degree, and Said, aged 27, with a business degree, remained resilient as they chose to establish a video game center, offering a source of happiness for the children in our neighbourhood amidst despair.
- My brother Shabaan with junior Hasan at the beach near where they evacuated.
- My father, Said, and Hala
My oldest sister, Noura, studied English literature in college and works part-time as an English teacher at a local language center. She married in 2019 and has two children, Junior Hasan (3 years old) and Selah (8 months old). Hasan is the first grandchild in our family. Selah was born in July last year, just three months before the start of the devastating war. Despite the turmoil of the war that began shortly after Selah's birth, her husband, Ehab, continues to show incredible bravery by going to work every day to provide essential support through his role as a computer engineer at The Palestinian Red Crescent in Gaza.
Noura's beautiful young family
- Ehab and his son, Hasan.
- Selah
- Family time at its finest prior to the war. "my parents play with their grandkids".
Ayah completed her Business Administration degree last year, just a month before the war began. Hala, the youngest sibling, turned 14 in January. She was around 6 years old when I left home. I vividly recall when my family welcomed her into the world in 2010. Hala was the most adorable baby girl I had ever laid eyes on.
- Ayah at her graduation from Al-Aqsa university
- My youngest sister, Hala
Hala wishes me a happy birthday, and how much she misses me. This was two years after I left Gaza.
Our Plea for Help
The primary goal of this fundraiser is to gather the necessary funds to evacuate my family to Egypt via the Rafah crossing. In addition to covering the evacuation expenses, the fundraiser will address their immediate needs, such as food, clothing, medical expenses, and other travel arrangements.
The majority of the donations will be used for:
Crossing Fees: These fees are required by a travel agency called "Ya Hala" located in Egypt. This agency is the only one that provides Palestinians in Gaza access to Egypt, including transportation from The Rafah crossing to Cairo.
The crossing fees are $5000 per person and $2500 for individuals under 16. I have ten immediate family members, including three under 16 years old. These fees also cover transportation from Rafah crossing to Cairo, although the fees may vary daily.
The projected total fees for crossing the border will be estimated to be between $42,500 to $50,000.
Accommodation: Any additional funds will be used to provide temporary housing, food, medical care, and other basic needs for my family until they can settle temporarily in Egypt. I will personally manage and distribute all funds to support my family directly.
Moreover, exceeding the initial fundraising target will allow my family to rebuild their lives and establish a secure new life in a safer country. Your support will be crucial in aiding them during this challenging transition.
How You Can Help:
1- Your donation, no matter the size, can make a significant difference in the lives of my family. It will directly contribute to securing their passage to Egypt, and where they hope to find a temporary refuge until the war ends.
2- Share Our Story: I humbly request your help in spreading the word about our campaign. Together, we can reach out to more kind souls who can make a difference. Thank you for being a beacon of hope in our journey to safety and reunion.
In Gratitude
We sincerely appreciate any support you can offer, as it provides immediate assistance and conveys a strong message of unity and empathy to my family, who have endured significant losses. By coming together, we can help my family embark on a fresh start, away from the turmoil of wars. Thank you for taking the time to learn about our situation and considering our appeal for help. Your kindness and compassion hold immense value for us.
With heartfelt thanks,
Karam Swidan
Fundraising team (4)
Karam Swidan
Organizer
Arlington, VA
Leila Shaban
Team member
Shabaan Swidan
Team member
Paul Costello
Team member
