Help my friend Ashraf and his family leave Gaza!

* Pictured above: Ashraf, his wife Boudour, and his daughter Juman (my birthday twin). The picture cropped out his son Jamal who just got injured from a bomb today.

Through my work, I met several amazing individuals who live in Gaza who I’ve become great friends with. The person I’ve become the closest with is Ashraf and luckily I was able to meet him in person on several occasions. He is literally one of the kindest, loving and hard working humans I’ve ever met.

As you can imagine, his life and the life of his wife and small children have been turned upside down since Oct 7. They have been forced to evacuate twice and are now in Rafah where things are getting worse. In fact, his son Jamal was injured just today from a nearby bomb. Thank goodness the injury was minor.

they now have the opportunity to leave Gaza but of course, the costs are high. Please see Ashraf’s words below and please know that any amount you contribute will be much appreciated.

From my friend, Ashraf:

In Gaza, events intertwine and hardships abound in a journey filled with suffering and pain. I, Ashraf Alzaanin, have come to share with you the journey of my tragedy and that of my family in this horrifying nightmare called Gaza.

In these challenging times, you find yourself amidst unexpected events, where the sense of security and stability is torn apart between the hands of war and the shards of destruction. My family and I live in a world of fear and distress, where the desperate need for shelter and clean water intersects with an endless quest for food and medicine.

Our daily lives are devoid of stability and security, as we have lost everything, from our warm homes to the sense of safety we once knew. With time, war has become our only fate, and displacement has become the norm in our lives.

The tattered tents have become our only refuge, where we live in harsh conditions and indescribable suffering. Scarce food and contaminated water have become part of our daily lives, and we find ourselves resorting to unhealthy ways to cook and prepare food in a desperate attempt to survive in this hell.

However, the true pain lies in our hearts, as we see our children suffering and in pain, and we find ourselves unable to meet their basic needs. My young children, Jamal and Juman, are in need of healthcare and nutritious food, but we find ourselves trapped between the walls of war and the dire shortage of healthcare.

Every contribution from you, whether big or small, represents a ray of hope in our dark lives. We will use every dollar we receive efficiently and transparently to ensure the safety and security of our small family.

We are in need of support amounting to $30,000, and attached are the expenses as follows:

Cost details:

Travel costs for me and my family: $24,000 - $6,000 each

Living expenses in Egypt for 5 months: $3,000

GoFundMe fees: $2,000

Bank transfer fee: $1,000

In these challenging times, we hope you will stand by our side and lend us your support. A smile on our children's faces and peace in our hearts mean the world to us.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and solidarity.

With honesty and respect,

Ashraf Alzaanin