NOTE:  This Is The Official GoFundMe Page For Baby Hikma’s Family, Authorised By Them.  

Honouring Baby Hikma’s Memory 

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we share the news: Baby Hikma’s enormous struggles are now over. Simply put, she was always too good for this world. 

 We are so grateful to every person who gave generously and selflessly. Your kindness ensured that Hikma’s final days were eased enormously, providing her with the supplies and care available in her dire circumstances. Sadly, being so young, with such a complex condition, living in a cold, leaking tent as the weather deteriorated, was an insurmountable.

Her father, Mohammed, told me that everyone who met Hikma fell in love with her. She had a way of brightening people’s days and rewarding those who saw past her disability. It was for her, and for the hope of giving her a chance, that this campaign began. We will sadly never know the greatness she would have achieved, but your support gave her dignity and hope until the very end. 

The Family Hikma Left Behind 

After her passing, Mohammed expressed a feeling of being in "a big prison," wanting only to make life easier for his wife and daughters who have endured two years of hell. This family’s fight for survival sadly continues, and in honor of the baby we loved, this GoFundMe will continue with an amended focus: to support the family Hikma left behind. 

Before the war, Mohammed and his wife were both accountants living in the North of Gaza. They had spent ten years building a beautiful home—a separate apartment built on top of Mohammed’s father’s house. Their daughters, Rafef (7) and Maria (5), were being raised in a loving, happy home, surrounded by family. 

 • Rafef (7) loves writing stories, is an excellent cook and helping others. She is a born leader and enjoys sorting things out herself. 

 • Maria (5) enjoys making friends, sharing games and drawing. She also loves expressing her feelings through words. 

This beautiful, decent, normal family saw their entire life obliterated. Mohammed’s Masters degree studies were ended, their incomes vanished, and the home they cherished was completely destroyed.

Desperate Need for Temporary Evacuation 

Being forced to flee the North, they used all their savings to rent a temporary apartment in the South, only to have to flee again. Their only option is now a tent, which is where they remain today. 

Imagine having to grieve the loss of your child in a leaking, cold tent, with no privacy and surrounded by chaos. They are facing this nightmare while aid is being repeatedly prevented from entering the strip. 

Mohammed and his family are desperate for the means to evacuate once the Rafar Crossing reopens. Leaving Gaza is unimaginable but the girls deserve stability and time to heal in the safety they deserve. The deep pain of having to relocate is immense, but Gaza has been completely flattened and rebuilding won’t be quick. He has also asked me to mention that support can also come in the form of offering suggestions for evacuation. Assistance is never limited to financial donations only. Help can come in many forms and is greatly appreciated. 

Our Promise of Transparency and Continued Support 

So many kind souls have reached out, asking how they can continue to help the family. In response, this fund will remain open with the goal of securing their safe evacuation and assisting with their transition and initial stability.

Use of Funds: 

 • Urgent Evacuation: Funding the immediate and necessary costs to secure safe passage for Mohammed, his wife, Rafef, and Maria out of Gaza.

 • Basic Survival: Continuing to provide for essential daily needs (food, water, medicine, temporary shelter) until evacuation is possible.

 • Rebuilding: Supporting the family with initial expenses once they reach a safe location. 

Refund Policy: We understand that some donations were made specifically for Baby Hikma's welfare. 

We respect that and will honour any request for a refund for donations made after her passing on Sunday lunchtime, 19th October 2025. Please reach out via email if you would like to discuss this further. 

Hikma’s short journey is unfortunately over. But her family’s fight for survival continues. If you are able to help them escape the unimaginable hardship they face daily, that would be an amazing testament to the beautiful baby they lost. 

If donating is not possible right now, please at least consider sharing this link. Thank you for your kindness and support.

I have left the original text from Baby Hikma’s GoFundMe, for those that don’t know her story.  

“PLEASE DO NOT LOOK AWAY”. These were the first words baby Hikma’s father wrote to accompany his social media post. From that second, I knew I wanted to help. My name is Jo Darwish and I am proud to call Hikma’s family my friends.

At just over a month old, she is fighting two battles: one against a complex congenital condition, and another for survival in the most desperate of circumstances.

Hikma was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS), also known as mandibulofacial dysostosis. TCS is a congenital condition that affects the bones and tissues in the face, creating severe challenges for breathing, feeding, and hearing.

While there is no cure, the condition is highly manageable with early, specialised intervention. Children with TCS require access to a dedicated multidisciplinary center, including experts in craniofacial and neurosurgery, ENT, audiology, genetics, dentistry, and speech therapy. Crucially, a Cleft Palate repair should ideally be performed in the first year of life to drastically improve her future quality of life.

The Immediate Crisis

Currently, Baby Hikma is living in a dusty, smoky tent in the Gaza Strip.

• No Access to Care: The local hospital system is unable to provide the complex surgery required.

• No Medication: Basic, essential medications like pain relief, antibiotics, and anti-sickness drugs are nearly impossible to find.

• Constant Struggle: As she cannot fully close her mouth, flies are a relentless danger in the camp environment, forcing her father to watch over her constantly to keep her safe.

• Feeding Crisis: Hikma has a feeding tube, and her father searches relentlessly for powdered milk. He is forced to constantly switch brands due to scarcity, which makes her sick. The cost for these essential supplies, including, Pampers and milk, is at least five times the normal price.

• Ever-Present Danger: Beneath the daily struggle lies the constant, terrifying threat of drone attacks and bombs.

A Family Deserving of Hope

Before the conflict, Hikma’s parents were raising her two older sisters in a normal, loving home. Both Mum and Dad worked as Accountants, and her father was on track to complete his Masters degree. Two years ago, their happy, stable life was replaced by hell. This is a professional, caring family fighting to save their youngest child against impossible odds.

How Your Donation Will Help

The family is seeking urgent evacuation and specialised medical treatment for Baby Hikma. Early intervention is paramount and will make a massive difference to her whole future.

Every donation goes directly toward two critical goals:

1. Immediate Needs (Survival): Purchasing essential daily supplies, including powdered milk, pampers, and any available over-the-counter pain or anti-sickness medications.

2. Evacuation and Treatment (Long-Term Future): Covering the costs associated with securing safe evacuation and transport, and funding her long and painful medical journey, which includes her vital Cleft Palate repair.

I have fallen head-over-heels in love with this wonderful baby. Please see what I see: a beautiful child who, with a little help from the world, can have her whole future changed for the better. The results of the early surgeries alone are phenomenal.

If you are moved by Hikma’s story and want to give her the opportunity for a near-normal life, please consider making a donation. You will be giving her more than money—you will be giving her a future.

#HelpHikma