Help get Kemo (10) & Yusif(3) out to safety

As I share this heart-wrenching story, I carry the weight of a friend's desperate struggle, and I implore you to join me in extending a lifeline to Ashraf and his family. My name is Maja and I'm reaching out to shed light on their dire situation, hoping that together, we can make a difference.

Ashraf, whom I met during our university days at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus (class 2009-2014), now finds himself amidst the chaos of war in Gaza. Ashraf and his two sons, Kemo and Yusif, aged 10 and 3, have been enduring the horrors of conflict since October 7, 2023. Their family home was destroyed, leaving them with only the essentials as they fled to Rafah, seeking safety. But safety remains elusive, as the war continues to threaten their lives.

In Rafah, they found refuge in a cold, makeshift tent, where the bitter cold seeps into their bones. Food is scarce, and with 1.5 million people trapped in Rafah, securing enough to eat is near impossible. The aid that trickles in is rarely enough to stave off hunger. Ashraf, once a successful engineer providing for his family's future, now faces an impossible choice: watch his sons starve to death or find a way out. With starvation looming and the trauma of constant bombardments haunting his sons, Ashraf is desperate to evacuate his family to safety.

However, the only way out is through the Rafah crossing, where brokers demand bribes. You can read more about this in the Guardian article here. Currently, the price is set at 5,000 USD per person. With banks being bombarded and closed, Ashraf's family cannot access their money.

Ashraf is hoping to evacuate 6 members of his family: his two sons, Kemo and Yusif, his wife, mom, dad and his sister. Without these funds, Ashraf's family remains trapped in a cycle of danger and despair. Kemo and Yusif, his two precious boys, already scarred by the horrors they've witnessed, now face the added burden of PTSD that will last a lifetime from the relentless bombardments.

To those of you who know Ashraf from the University of Nicosia (2009-2014), we share a bond that transcends borders. I call on all our professors, alumni, and students to come together in solidarity with Ashraf and his family. Let us rally our collective compassion and support to provide them with a chance at a better life.

To those of you who don't know him: you might be a mother, a father, a brother, a sister, a son, a daughter, a friend. If you've seen the images coming out of Gaza, I'm begging you, please donate whatever you can to help especially these two little boys who have done nothing wrong to deserve this.

Please, join me in offering Ashraf and his family a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. Our generosity can change their lives, offering them a chance to escape the horrors of war and find the safety they so desperately need. Remember, saving just one child, or in this case two, makes a tremendous difference. EVERY LITTLE HELPS. Together, we can make a difference.

Thank you!