Help Ihab Zaqout and his family rebuild their homeless lives
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Standing with me and my family to rebuild our shattered lives after 3 decades of sacrifice and hard work in Gaza.
Dear Supporters,
I am Ihab Zaqout, a dedicated professor of computer science at Al-Azhar University - Gaza [1,2], reaching out on behalf of my family during one of the most challenging times we have ever faced. We are a family of six from Gaza city, devastated by the impact of the October 7th war. My wife Reem and our children Nader, Rami, Nadine, and Yazan, who is 14 years old, have supported me throughout this journey. Together, we built a wonderful life filled with a beautiful home, a reliable car, and a deep sense of happiness. However, the events of October 7th shattered everything we had worked for, leaving us with nothing.
Explanation of Our Situation:
In the aftermath of the October 7th war, our lives were plunged into chaos and despair. We faced great difficulties in our daily lives, striving to obtain the minimum requirements for a decent life amidst the rubble and destruction. Bombs rained down relentlessly, sparing no corner of our beloved city. We clung to each other, trembling, as our neighbours' homes crumbled around us. The war, waged from land, sea, and air, left us no choice but to seek safety, to salvage what remained of our shattered lives. For this reason, we were evacuated from our place of residence in Gaza city to the Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip on October 13, 2023. As shown in Figure 1, our beloved home is greatly affected by nearby explosions caused by smart bombs and guided missiles.
Figure 1: Our beloved home in North Rimal - Gaza City
Evacuation and Financial Struggles:
Due to all this, there was no possibility but only to evacuate from Gaza. Doing so was not easy but extremely hard where each member of our family needed to pay $8,000 USD to evacuate from Gaza. On December 8, 2023, my wife Reem, daughter Nadine, and youngest son Yazan managed to leave Gaza. I followed on December 20, 2023, reuniting with them in Cairo. Our remaining sons, Nader, and Rami left Gaza on December 26, 2023. However, the evacuation costs depleted all our funds, and we had to borrow money from relatives abroad to cover the rest of expenses.
The Impact of the Situation:
Our situation is dire. Al Azhar University, where I dedicated my career, is almost gone, and there is no longer an ongoing income. This loss has exacerbated our struggles as we try to rebuild our lives amidst the chaos and uncertainty. With no income and financial resources exhausted, we face significant challenges in providing for our basic needs and ensuring the health and well-being of our family members. Each month, we face the daunting task of covering basic expenses, including rent, food, utilities, and other necessities. Our monthly expenses amount to approximately $1,200 USD, a significant sum that we simply cannot afford without external assistance. This financial strain adds to the already overwhelming challenges we face in rebuilding our lives after the devastation of the October 7th war.
In addition to our financial struggles, my wife Reem's health has been a major concern. Four years ago, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Her treatment required surgery to remove the affected part, followed by 12 doses of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, this treatment caused pain in some joints and affected her vision due to cataracts, leading to the need for lens implants and the loss of some teeth. She requires periodic follow-up appointments, including analyses, pictures, atomic scans, endoscopes, and ongoing medications, as well as vitamins and tonics. Figure 2 depicts the medical report of my wife.
Figure 2: Mdeical Report for Reem H. Zaqout
Therefore, we humbly ask for your support during this critical time. Any donation, no matter how small, will help us rebuild our lives, ensure Reem’s health is monitored and cared for, and bring us closer to the day when we can rebuild our home and our lives in Gaza. If you are unable to contribute financially, sharing our story with your network would mean the world to us.
How the Funds Will Be Used?
The funds raised will be allocated as follows:
1. $24,000 USD to pay off the money borrowed for half of the family's evacuation ($8,000 USD for each of the three family members evacuated).
2. $1,200 USD per month for daily expenses and monthly rent in Egypt.
3. A portion of the funds will be allocated to cover the costs of Reem's treatment, including medication, follow-up appointments, necessary procedures, and eye surgery expenses.
4. The remaining funds will be a lifeline of hope for us, promising a brighter tomorrow where we can return to Gaza, rebuild our shattered home, and restore the sanctuary we once knew.
From the depths of our hearts, we thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any support you can offer. Your kindness and generosity are our beacon of hope in these dark times. Together, we can overcome these challenges and rebuild our lives, piece by piece. With your help, we look forward to a brighter future, filled with love, peace, and prosperity.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Ihab Zaqout and his Family
Scientific Research Activities:
Organizer and beneficiary
Ihab Zaqout
Organizer
England
Khalid Sakeek
Beneficiary