Help Saif's Young Family Escape Genocide in Gaza

Dear Friends, Allies, and Compassionate Souls,

In the midst of Gaza's chaos, where the air is thick with despair, a glimmer of hope shines through your support. Meet Saif, a skilled software engineer, his wife Maryam, a visionary architectural engineer, and their one-year-old son Ahmed. They're not just potential victims of an ongoing genocide; they are individuals with dreams, now teetering on the brink of devastation.

Describing the situation in Gaza is painful and repetitive. We all know of the horrors - the relentless bombing, starvation, total medical collapse, no water, no fuel, no electricity, etc.

Saif and I went to school together in 2008, at the United World College Red Cross Nordic in Norway. At first, Saif struggled to leave Gaza in the summer of 08 to attend the school, and only managed to join nearly a month later. Once winter break approached, Saif decided to visit his family as his mother was sick at the time. The war of 2008/2009 broke out while Saif was there, and he was not able to leave and come back to the school again.

Saif has expressed great fear for his and his family’s lives in close circles of friends after yet another evacuation order; this time from Nuseirat refugee camp. Previously, Israeli forces destroyed his home. Like so many, Saif and Maryam are stranded as they have nowhere to go, it is now winter in Gaza, and they are in an extremely difficult state.

Saif's Harrowing Challenge:

Saif suffers from colon issues, a condition exacerbated by the relentless stress and lack of medical care in war-torn Gaza. His condition is worsening, and access to essential healthcare is nearly impossible.

Ahmed's Plight:

Little Ahmed, a beacon of innocence, has been sick for over a week. The constant bombardments have made it perilous to seek medical help, and even if they could, the healthcare system is overwhelmed with treating the injured. Ahmed’s situation is growing dire by the day.

A Family in Danger:

Their current location is one of the most dangerous in Gaza. They are desperately trying to evacuate to a safer area in Rafah - Southern Gaza Strip. But safety comes at a price – to secure a temporary shelter in Rafah, they need to pay an astonishing $2,000. This is a fortune in a place where such accommodations used to cost less than $200. The rampant destruction and high demand have skyrocketed prices to unreachable levels.

Our Critical Fundraising Goal:

We urgently need your generosity to raise 15,000 Swiss Francs (around 17,000 USD). This amount is in Swiss Francs due to my (Samed Nakhla's) Swiss-based account handling the funds. The target sum is calculated to cover the substantial border crossing fees of $7,000 per adult for Saif and Maryam, and the exorbitant rental costs for securing a safe haven for them, Ahmed, and their extended family in Rafah. Additionally, this total includes the necessary coverage for the 2.9% GoFundMe platform fees and any currency exchange expenses that may occur.

Your support transcends monetary value; it's a beacon of hope for a family in dire need.

How You Can Make a Difference:

Commitment to Transparency:

As Saif's high school friend and the organizer, Samed Nakhla, based in Switzerland, I pledge transparency and accountability. We will ensure that every dollar raised goes directly to aiding Saif’s family in their dire situation.

FAQs:

#HelpSaifsFamily

Your contribution is more than a donation; it’s a life-saving gesture for Saif, his family, and especially little Ahmed. In these desperate times, your support is their lifeline. Let’s stand together to offer them a chance at a safer, healthier future.

With Deep Gratitude and Hope,

Saif’s friends