Abdullah, 20, Store Clerk, Rafah: In Need of Help

Hi, my name is Mary Farrell and I am fundraising for Abdullah and his family in Gaza. Born in Scotland of Irish descent, I now live in Canada. I am a Christian, raised Catholic. I am a mother, wife, daughter and sister. I am a licenced engineer which you can verify on Professional Engineers Ontario website.

Abdullah Mohammad Mahmoud Al-Saidi – Abdullah - is a young man who was born, raised, educated and worked in Rafah, until recently. The photos show his workplace before and after the war. Abdullah is 20, and the income from his employment supports his parents as well as himself. His parents are elderly, and his mother is shown here with him in a photo. As a result of the war, Abdullah has no means of generating an income to support his parents. They do not have enough money for food and the basics as prices soar, and aid is becoming ever more difficult to find.

I met Abdallah over What's App many months ago. When I realized that donations to UNRWA and other very important and critical aid organizations were becoming less impactful - due to a total blockade of food, water, medications, cooking gas, and other critical humanitarian aid – I wanted to do something to get funds directly into Gaza to try to relieve some suffering. Through the help of a doctor in Reza who is a friend of my family, I was able to verify that Abdullah was indeed in Reza, and in need of help.

If you also want to help directly, this is one way for you to participate and be assured that all money collected will go to Abdullah and his family.

I have learned from Abdullah, that while cash donations are so impactful, to help them to eat and stay dry and warm, they have experienced immense relief in knowing that people want to help them. Every donation no matter how small renews their hope and helps them endure these awful conditions.

Here are words from Abdullah:

“I am Abdullah Mohammad from Rafah, 20 years old. The war has destroyed everything around me, including the shop I used to work at. Now, there are no job opportunities, and I am struggling to provide for my daily needs. My only skill is selling clothes, and I dream of starting my own business. I strive to build a better future for myself and my family, despite the challenges. I hope to become self-sufficient and provide a decent life for my father and mother in these difficult times we are living in Gaza.