Help Omar and his family stay safe in Rafah

Co-organized

Gillian Flaherty and Wael Sabri are organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

I’m Gillian and along with my husband, Wa’el, we are raising money for our friend, Dr Omar Hammad in Rafah, Gaza. We live in Sydney, Australia.

Dr Omar Hammad is a highly respected teacher and trainer who has devoted his life to education and worked tirelessly to elevate English language skills in Gaza. Omar needs our help to take care of the basic needs of shelter, food and clothing for his extended family.

Omar is now responsible for the safely and security of 45 family members who have fled northern Gaza, to Rafah. But he doesn’t have the resources to do this alone. We’re inviting you to donate whatever you can to this appeal. Omar will use the money raised to build a shelter for his extended family when it’s safe to do so. The money we raise will also help Omar buy the daily necessities his family need to survive; food, water, clothes.

I am an English teacher and educational writer and connected with Omar in a group of educational professionals. Omar has worked with many members of the group and is a well-known education professional. Wa'el and I have got to know Omar through online and phone conversations, and we will transfer all money received to Omar. We have already made a successful bank transfer as a test, so we know we can get money directly to Omar.

Despite his difficult circumstances, Omar continues to support his community in so many ways; from helping to organise e-SIMS for teachers and students, seeking psychosocial support for traumatised children and volunteering with the Heroic Hearts charity to support displaced Palestinian women, children and the elderly. I know that these are just some of his endeavours – there are many more. Helping Omar stay safely in Gaza will mean that he can continue his invaluable volunteer work.

Please donate whatever you can. And please share this opportunity to help a great man and his family with your family and friends.

Thank you x

You can read Omar's beautiful words below.

Hello everyone, and peace be upon you. My name is Omar Khamis Abu Hammad, a devoted husband, father of four beautiful daughters, and the son of my dear mother, who suffers from cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Before the tragic succession of events that hit Gaza, like most people, I lived in an apartment, owned a car, worked in the field of education, and served my community. Today, we find ourselves in the most precarious situation, and I ask you for help.

Life before this current conflict in Gaza was never easy; however, as a people, we are resilient, and like many of us, I did my best to help others in every way I could. I was a presenter of a program called, English Oasis Program where I invited international guests to talk about current issues. We were successful in engaging our audience with interesting topics in the English language, which as a result, assisted in the ongoing improvement of English language skills in our besieged community. Additionally, I implemented more than 250 free courses for teachers and orphans as part of the work of Save the Children Palestine. As you can see, education was a top priority in Gaza, and we did what we could despite the ongoing siege. Currently, I am a volunteer for the Heroic Hearts charity to provide urgent services to the displaced people coming from different parts of Gaza.

Today, we are doing our best to survive the horror of the events that continue to unfold in Gaza. We are staring directly at Genocide and mass starvation, and we can only turn to individuals outside of Gaza who can empathize and help us, as we cannot rely on international governments or organizations. If we still have a life, we dream of being safe and having a job after losing everything.

Any donation that you can make on behalf of my family would be deeply appreciated. This gesture of charity will undoubtedly return to you in blessings upon you and your family. In fact, you will bring us hope of finding life.