Help Gazan Children Affected by the War

Yasmeen diab is organizing this fundraiser.

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My name is Yasmeen Diab, I’m a Palestinian living in Alberta, Canada. I’m creating this campaign on behalf of my aunt, Wejdan Diab, who evacuated safely to Cairo, Egypt, with her family a few months ago. As a kindergarten manager and a community activist, Wejdan continues her work in Cairo. She works with children from Gaza who evacuated to Cairo and supports educational work with children in Gaza who are affected by the war. I will let her tell you her story and how we can help support children in Gaza.

Dear friends of Gaza Children,

My name is Wejdan Diab, I’m the director of Mira Kindergarten in Gaza City, which I started in 2011. I have worked in the field of education for children and kindergartens for more than 25 years. For me, it's not just a job; it’s my passion and commitment to see children smile. Our kindergarten was ranked among the top kindergartens in the Gaza Strip, and we won awards from the Ministry of Education. Throughout the years, we had several international volunteers, especially missions from “Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility,” who provided their expertise and love to our children and the teachers. We teach children based on a holistic approach, using educational techniques such as expressive art therapy, play, drawing, storytelling, and Montessori methods. We also facilitate speech therapy, and psychological and emotional support provided by professional consultants.

On October 7th, 2023, the war on Gaza took everything we have built for our children. In the cycle of violence, they lost family members and friends, their homes, their educational facilities. They suffered injuries and traumas. As part of our values and social responsibilities, we continue to educate and support displaced children in Gaza and those who have fled the war to Cairo. We look after their psychological well-being, using educational and expressive art activities, and providing a community for them.

After Mira Kindergarten was partially destroyed, and before my family and I were able to evacuate to Egypt, my two sons and I worked with children sheltering in tents in Southern Gaza. Even in the middle of the war, our mission was to put smiles on children’s faces by engaging them in watercolor drawing, active games, storytelling, and poems and story writing—as you can see in the photos.

Currently, we aim to create safe and nurturing spaces where children can play, learn, and heal from the trauma of war in both Cairo and Gaza. The money we are raising is for my work with Gazan children in Cairo, and for the work teachers from Mira Kindergarten who remained in Gaza now offer to children in Gaza.

With your generous support, we seek to raise $13,200 USD ($18,000 CAD) to fund five unique projects, each one designed to enrich the lives of children in both locations. These projects include purchasing educational and playing toys, creating small play areas, providing gifts and snacks, and compensating teachers, animators, and education consultants to facilitate these activities.

Here's how your contribution will make a difference:

1. The safe spaces we create will allow children to explore, interact, and express themselves freely.

2. Such a simple act as giving a child a small gift or a snack will bring a smile to a child’s face. Such small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on their well-being and sense of belonging.

3. We want to give an honorarium to the additional educators and consultants working with the children. The work of these individuals is a vital investment in a child’s future and well-being.

Your contribution, no matter the amount, will directly support the success of our vision and projects.

With your support, we can create a meaningful change in the lives of children in Cairo and Gaza, one project at a time. Together, let’s offer them hope, resilience, and the promise of a brighter future.

Funds raised will be distributed to two locations: Cairo, Egypt and Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Thank you for your generosity and compassion.