A Mother’s Plea to Keep Her Children Safe in Gaza

My name is Noura, and I’m a mother of four trying to protect my children in the middle of unimaginable hardship in Gaza.

Before the war began, I was on the verge of defending my PhD dissertation in diplomacy and international relations. I had spent years working toward that moment, with dreams of building a bright future for myself and my children - of becoming a successful woman who could serve her country with knowledge and purpose.

But the war came, and with it, everything collapsed. My academic work was frozen. Our home was destroyed in an airstrike. Our savings vanished. Our safety disappeared. My dreams were buried under the rubble. I went from preparing for a life of contribution and progress to fighting every day for survival.

Now, my only dream is to keep my children safe. To find food, water, and shelter for them. What once was a vision of empowerment has become a daily struggle to make sure they have even crumbs to sustain themselves. My future is gone, and I fear theirs is slipping away too.

Where We Are Now

We’ve been displaced five times already. From Gaza to Khan Younis to Rafah, then Deir El Balah, and back to Gaza again. We’ve moved from tent to tent, and every time we’re forced to flee, we lose everything we had just managed to rebuild.

Right now, we’re living in a half-destroyed flat. It has no proper walls or windows. We’ve covered the open areas with plastic sheeting (nylon) to try to keep out the wind, dust, and cold. I worry every day that something might collapse or that my children could fall. We’ve done our best to build a makeshift shelter inside, but we need real walls and safety. Even just one enclosed room would mean the world to us.

My Children Had Dreams Too

My children are everything to me. Like all children, they had hopes and aspirations.

Yara, 11, is playful, creative, and full of life. She dreams of becoming an interior designer.

Ali, 16, is kind and empathetic. He always talked about creating a community centre to help others.

Zeina, 18, is sharp and compassionate, with ambitions in media and politics.

Kareem, 21, had just finished school and hoped to follow in my footsteps into media and public life. Now, he risks his life daily just to help us survive.

They deserve to grow up. To study. To feel safe. To dream again.

What Your Support Will Help With

Your donations will help us meet our most urgent needs:

Food and water. Even simple items like bread and flour have become incredibly expensive. Feeding my children is a daily challenge.

Shelter and protection. We are trying to rebuild part of the flat so that it can be a real home again. Plastic can’t keep out rain or fear.

Medical and hygiene supplies. Pollution from the bombings has caused serious respiratory problems, and medicine is scarce and expensive.

A Chance for the Future

If the Rafah border opens again, the cost to evacuate is devastating. The last time, it was $5,000 per person. There are five of us - myself and my four children.

With your support, I hope not only to help us survive here in Gaza now, but to one day build a better future somewhere safe. I want to return to my studies. I want to give my children an education and a life beyond fear. I want to live again instead of just endure.

From My Heart to Yours

If you’re able to support us - thank you. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing our story. Every act of kindness gives us strength.

With deep gratitude,

Noura