Death is NOT an Option - Save Joud’s Family NOW

Hi I'm Taibi, artist, crafter, and mother of three (7 months, 3 years, 6 years) in Columbus, Ohio. You can find me on Instagram @fairy_ring_wreaths where I also post fundraising updates and pictures of my creations.

I am fundraising for my soul sister and good friend Mandi Ashraf who is pregnant, her husband Alaa, and their four year old son Joud.

They are like my second family and I am vouching for them 100%. They and their situation are exactly what they appear to be. I can personally guarantee you that this campaign, built in good faith, will use funds appropriately. If you know me you know that I am honest to a fault, have a strong conscience, and high moral standards. I am giving my own time and money to this and I don’t have much of either to spare - but this is worth it! Any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out.

About Mandi and her husband and son :

They all lived together in Gaza before the war. Suddenly, their entire lives changed, starting with the beginning of the war on the Gaza Strip. Their suffering began as they tried to move away from death more than 10 times, and the occupation destroyed their home and her husband's work, and they lost their money. Displaced in tents they experienced a shortage of food, water, gas, and all the simple necessities of life. They experienced the spread of diseases, but what was more difficult than displacement was that Joud suffers from hemophilia and needs treatment (Factor 8 injection).

So Mandi and her husband decided after 7 months of enduring the war that they would start the medical referral procedures for Joud so that he can receive treatment in another country. He simply could not survive in war torn Gaza with the lack of treatment and the destruction of

hospitals.

When Joud was cleared for medical evacuation, Mandi traveled without her husband, because one of the conditions for the transfer is that only one companion should leave, preferably the mother, and here a new suffering began. Alaa became alone under the fire of the occupation, without his family for support.

But what is more difficult than that, which was unexpected, is what Mandi and her child suffered after leaving Gaza alone on April 19, 2024. Here a new suffering began - which is the treatment of them by the hospital where they reside in Egypt. Unfortunately, the hospital cannot provide health and even psychological care for Joud. He suffered a hemorrhage while inside the hospital and the hospital staff did not provide him with the required treatment injection. He was left to bleed for several days!!

Mandi and Joud are staying in a small room in the hospital. It is forbidden for them to leave the room or go outside the hospital to buy anything to take care of their own needs. There are no books or toys in the room, no comforts or distractions. Joud’s education has been put on pause. He is a very bright and curious boy!!

Unfortunately, Mandi and her child are also threatened daily with being released from the hospital. But where would she go alone when she is pregnant and has a child who needs medical treatment?

ALL OF THIS is why we are fundraising for travel and relocation costs - because Alaa needs to be with his wife Mandi, to be with her AND to save him from certain death in Gaza. They need to live like most families do, to live a safe life in which they can provide for their daily needs. They need to be able to provide treatment for their child, and to prepare for the arrival of their new baby together!

In order for Alaa to travel to Mandi and Joud in Egypt, he needs $5,000. That is the war time cost of travel outside of

Gaza. The aim is to have this amount of money fully ready once the border crossing into Egypt reopens.

The remaining money will fund the travel for the three (four!) of them to leave Egypt together in order to re-establish their life some place more suitable, perhaps Cyprus where Mandi also has family.

This will only be possible with YOUR help. PLEASE whoever can help, let us stand together to help this family and be the hope in their lives that they so desperately need. Let's help them start a new stable life so that they will have a home, be able to provide for their daily needs, and be able to provide for Joud’s treatment - away from war, pain and suffering. Let's protect a family and bring it together. Families belong together!

THANK YOU all for sharing and donating. You are literally saving our lives and we are eternally grateful. Heaven forbid the tables were turned, we would do the same for you. Count your blessings and pass them on.