Help My Family Escape Gaza

Hello everyone, I’m Maram Mikkawi, born and raised in Gaza, and currently living in Turkey.

I’m sure by now you’ve all heard of the situation in Palestine, and what everyone in Gaza is going through. You’ve seen countless videos and pictures, read thousands of stories, and viewed the situation from different people’s perspectives.

I’m reaching out on behalf of my family, who are still trapped in Gaza after six months of non-stop aggression.

Leaving the only home they had was not their first option, but after their house was bombed and destroyed, there was no other choice.

Life in Gaza was never perfect, we’ve always had to deal with the shortage of clean water, and the power going off many hours every day, but we were still able to build a decent life.

My parents worked very hard their entire lives to be able to give us a good life, and in 1998, they were able to own their first apartment, which is where I grew up.

My family includes my parents, my sister Marwa, my brother Ibrahim, his wife Rania, and their three children: Khalil, who is eight years old; Youssef, who is six years old; and Farah, who is two and a half years old.

My family was forced to leave their house after it was marked as a dangerous area and was threatened to be bombed at any time, they were able to stay with Rania’s parents for some time, but then they all had to leave that place too.

The building my family’s apartment was in before it was bombed.

The building after it was bombed.

Moving from North to South was a very difficult journey for them since they had to walk about 3-4 hours before they were able to reach my mother’s cousin’s house. This house sheltered them for some time, but then it wasn’t safe for them anymore, so they left along with my mother’s cousin and his family, and are all now staying in tents that they made.

This is the map of Gaza Strip marking how far my family moved. 1) Where my family's house used to be. 2) Rania's family's home. 3) My mother's cousin's home. 4) The area my family is at in tents.

I’m asking you to help me get my family evacuated safely to Egypt so they can have a chance at a better life, and be able to provide a brighter future for my nephews and niece.

Khalil, Youssef, and Farah.

Marwa was working as a fitness instructor, and in her free time, she was teaching herself to paint and play the piano.

Marwa's last painting at home.

Ibrahim worked hard in retail to provide for his family and children. His oldest kids, Khalil and Youssef, liked going to school and having other friends their age.

Khalil on his first day of school.

Khalil and Youssef in the downstairs garden of our building.

Khalil, Youssef, and Farah in February after being forced to live in tents with the rest of my family.

Financial breakdown:

For immediate evacuation, the cost of permission to leave is 5000 USD per adult and 2500 USD for children under sixteen.

There are five adults and three children in my family, making the total fee for the permission to leave for all eight members 32,500 USD.

I am also requesting help with rent and utilities for the first six months of my family's stay in Egypt until they can get their lives back together.

One month's rent in Egypt is around 400 USD

Groceries, utilities, and other monthly expenses will be around 1400 USD

The total of the monthly expenses for eight people for six months is 10,800 USD

They will also need clothes, hygiene products, etc. since they lost everything they owned. This will be around 4000 USD for eight people.

This will make the total of needed funds 47,300 USD.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story and thank you for your generous donation!