This is Simone (28 years) reaching out to you from the Netherlands. I'm fundraising on behalve of an organisation called Better Life for Gaza, located in Deir al Ballah.

Better Life for Gaza is a mobile grasroots initiative that distributes water, food and medical aid to the people in need. The team also implements activities for their community. It was founded in the last months of 2023 to help families refugee camp survive and give children a beacon of hope in the midst of a genocide.

For a family of five, preparing just one meal a day costs a lot:

One kilo of flour costs around €25.

To prepare a simple vegetable-based lunch—like potatoes, eggplant, lentils, or beans—with some oil, tomato sauce, and spices—it costs at least €35.

So, even one basic meal costs around €60 (€12 -€15 per person).

Bread is distributed making two bags each time for two times a week. Each bag will be given to 25 families, so in the week, 100 families will benefit from the bread. Rice can be prepared for 160 people at the same time.

A family of five would need 40 liters for water, because the water is used for cooking and drinking. It's summer time and really hot especially for the people in tents. Each 18 liters /gallon of drinking water cost 1.5€. When BLfG distributed water for two days, 10 thousand liters cost €500. Hundreds of family filled their gallons.

The goal of the artistic projects is to help children develop their artistic skills, to give them a medium to process and express their emotions through art and theatre. Safety of the participants is always the first priority, which is why the initiative has had to relocate several times in the past.

Recently activities and workshops have been organised near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. But due to evacuation orders, the initiative was moved to a different area in Deir al-Balah. In the last week of June 2025 an expression drawing workshop was launched in Deir al-Balah, starting with a group of talented teenagers, the group has grown to contain 17 young participants.

Materials for the workshops are handmade and re-used out of what can be found in the area. Only what cannot be made will be bought with donations. A canvas for example can be made out of pieces of wood and old cloth, that are then painted over white to start with a blank slate. Carton and paper are very useful in the art projects, but also this materials is difficult to find now.

The founders of Better Life for Gaza are:

Ahmed Abu Daoud (43 years), Amal Al Maghari (42 years), Mahmoud Abu Daoud (37 years) and Maryam Al Ostaz (38 years). The money will be sent from my bank account to Mahmouds's bank account, because he has an account at the official Bank of Palestine.

BLfG is not a formally registered organization yet, as there is currently no functioning government authority in Gaza that can allow registration. The team hopes they can register officially when the situation allows in the future.

Our relationship is that I know the founders through their relatives in Belgium. I know their family well and see a lot of the amazing work they are doing for their community. It's great to see a smile on the children's faces. They deserve our love and support.

BLfG has been receiving donations through cooperating charity organisations and fundraisers. In order to access the donations, 45% commission needs to be paid to the currency trader. This means a little more than half of the amount that is donated remains. And due to ongoing inflation, basic needs have become very expensive. The current goal is €10.000, because the fundraiser needs to help the team sustain the aid they are providing, until they are able to become an official foundation.

We are very grateful for any help you can provide!