Hello everyone,

We are starting this fundraiser for a close family friend and Hani's Kindergarten teacher to help her evacuate Gaza, at any possible time, and rebuild her life, the following is Sobhiah's story:

"My name is Sobhiah. I am 77 years old living in Gaza. I live with my sister Rahma (73) who was diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer's a few years ago.

Before the war began, I was working as a Preschool Director for over 40 years, providing for both my sister and I. Unfortunately, by the end of October we were evacuated to the south of Gaza as our apartment was targeted to be hit by a airstrike. During the evacuation we were forbidden from taking any belongings with us and were forced to walk from the North to the South on foot with nothing other than the clothes on our bodies. The apartment was destroyed but we were lucky enough to survive the journey to the south.

Upon our arrival to the South, 6 months ago, we have been living in a shared room with a family allowing us some semblance of a shelter. We are currently living with no salary or income, and no belongings.

My brother had a small shop selling hygiene products that supported us, but that's gone now too, leveled by tanks and airstrikes. Now, we have no income, no savings, and nowhere to turn.

As my sister's caretaker, I have barely been able to manage to provide us with the bare minimum of basic necessities for survival, especially because Rahma's medication is not available at this moment, due to the war and the siege on Gaza. Her situation is really dire. She is in a constant state of fear with the sounds of bombs and air strikes nearby. There is nothing I can do to help her except to be there for her and try to calm her down.

Unfortunately, we reached the point where even buying a loaf of bread to provide for her or myself is too expensive. Over the course of the past seven months of no salary and drained savings, we have nothing left. At this time we are finding it extremely hard to stay afloat or even survive. The family we have been staying with have been gracious enough to help us as much as they can but it has gotten to the point where they are unable to help themselves either.

My last resort is to reach out to all of you for any help in lifting the tremendous load of ensuring my sister and I have the basic needs to stay alive. I truly would not be asking if I had not exhausted every other avenue. It has been extremely difficult to maintain any sort of dignity throughout all of this. Your support will help us put food on the table, obtain essentials, and help us evacuate Gaza to a safer place. Your assistance means more than you could ever imagine. Thank you so much for taking the time to learn more about my sister and I."