Hello, my name is Maryam, and I am raising funds for my dear friend Shahed and her family.

Shahed, 18, lives in the Gaza strip with her father, 43, mother, 40, and her three little brothers (16, 14, and 11). This precious family has been displaced from their home, and is currently living near the Egyptian border in Rafah. They reside in a tarp tent from UNHCR (The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). The tent provides no insulation or protection from the winter wind, temperatures, and rain, and it is extremely small and uncomfortable for this beloved family of six. Inflation in Gaza is also at an extreme high, making all food, blankets, and necessities less attainable for Shahed and her dear family.

Shahed is so incredibly bright- she graduated high school just before the Israeli aggression began, and she graduated with the highest grades in her region. Shahed wishes to continue her studies in the field of medicine, and she dreams to be a doctor. Anyone who knows Shahed knows that her future patients will be blessed to receive care from this especially bright, empathetic, and kind-hearted soul.

While Shahed aspires to be a doctor to help others in the future, she and her family need our help right now. With the funds raised, Shahed and her family will be able to purchase much needed blankets, warm clothes, food, toiletries, miscellaneous necessities, and hopefully accumulate a little bit of savings to rebuild their home and lives, once the genocide and aggression end.

The situation in Gaza has never been worse, and we must do everything we can to assist. By donating to this GoFundMe fundraiser, you will be directly aiding this precious family, so they may try to find a small bit of warmth and comfort in these most difficult times.

All pictures and videos included in this fundraiser were sent to me by Shahed, or I downloaded them directly from Shahed's social media.

Shahed's Instagram is @shahedereida

My Instagram is @maryam.rahmani1994

Please feel free to follow us both for more updates via Instagram.

Please share this fundraiser wide and often. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.