Hello, my name is Cadence Edmonds (WLU class of '23) and I am raising funds on behalf of Maysara Alshaer and her children. GoFundMe fundraisers can only be run by those with a US bank account and social security number, so I am acting as an intermediary to wire donated funds to her.

Maysara is the beloved cousin of my dear college roommate, Nour Alshaer. It is Nour's sincerest wish to see Maysara and her children reach safety before Winter arrives, as they've been living in a tent since their home in Gaza was destroyed.

In Maysara's own words:

"The story began on our wedding day, surrounded by joy and family. Eight years ago, our home was small, humble, but filled with love and hope. Our life started like any other family’s, and we were blessed with two children who brought light into our world. We decided to build a second floor to our home, and I had my own apartment. I put my heart into completing the dream, paying attention to every detail — the décor, the lighting, the doors, and the windows. After much effort, struggle, and a high cost, we finally moved into our new apartment. But it didn’t last long — only two months before the war. Those were the best days of our lives, spent in our dream home.

Just two months, and then the journey of war, displacement, and homelessness began.

In that time, there were no means of transportation to get out. Everyone was busy trying to take what they could for themselves. We did our best, using a cart pulled by an animal, under the deafening sounds of bombing, the cries of children, and the intense heat of the sun. We moved slowly, our minds unable to grasp the enormity of the situation. Time stood still. We had left our home, heading into the unknown, trying to save ourselves and our children from the war.

After a long time, due to the crowding, we finally reached what we believed to be a safe place. We began setting up tents to shield us from the harsh sun and to rest a little from the exhausting journey. It was incredibly difficult.

Then another challenge started: searching for clean water to drink and bathe, finding food with skyrocketing prices, cooking gas, walking long distances, and waiting endlessly to get the basic necessities at absurdly high prices.

Life in the tents is unbearable. They don’t protect us from the heat in summer, and now winter is approaching, and they won’t keep out the cold either.

Then came the devastating news — the news that our dream home had been demolished. With it, our memories were destroyed too. But the story doesn’t end there. We are still in the midst of war, displaced and far from everything that was once beautiful in our city."

To cross the Rafah border into Egypt now costs between $5,000 and $10,000 per person due to price gouging in the time of war. While Maysara waits to have enough to flee with her children, money sent her way would also go toward necessities like food, water, and blankets. It's difficult for Nour to send photos with spotty internet access, but I'll add them as she's able to send them.

I hope that we can see this family to safety from our homes, which are undoubtedly warm, abundant with clean water and food, and safe from bombs overhead. I pray that this precious family will be preserved as they live in danger, that they might someday have a dream home once more.

Update 1 (09/20):

Maysara has confirmed receipt of funds I sent her before starting this campaign to ensure that the wire transfers between our banks will work. I sent two days ago the money this fundraiser has garnered thus far ($275), which will help her afford necessities like food and cooking gas. I appreciate immensely the support thus far, and will continue to share the fundraiser with everyone I know. I'll post more updates as new developments arise. Here's a screenshot to show that I've sent the funds thus far:

Update 2:

I confirmed that Maysara has been receiving the funds I've sent with Nour (as Nour generally has better internet access).

Nour lost 4 cousins in the tent encampment bombing in Khanyounis 2 weeks ago, and now this week has lost another uncle to the ceaseless bombardments:

Maysara and Nour continue to live through this horror and danger, and so I hope we can persist in speaking out about their peril and loss.

I'm working to get a booth set up at the farmer's market in Lexington to promote the fundraiser, as well as tabling in front of Elrod Commons at WLU. I'll be offering custom pastel portraiture in exchange for donations, and so if you know anyone who might be interested, feel free to send them my way by messaging here or at [phone redacted].

(Examples:)

Update 3 (10/21/24):

I've continued to send funds as they're disbursed to me by GFM. I was at the farmer's market this past Wednesday, selling my ceramics collection to promote the fundraiser, and will be there again for at least this coming Wednesday.

It raised around $400, mostly in cash, so I donated the cash amount to the fundraiser (so as to keep track of funds raised). I went ahead and sent the full amount raised, even though it hasn't been disbursed yet, as I don't want unnecessary delays to make things harder on Maysara.

Although enough hasn't been raised for them to escape yet, it's a resource in the meantime which assists with necessities like food, cooking gas, water, and blankets. I thank all of you for your support, and will continue sharing this fundraiser as much as possible with the people around me. I intend to keep it running until Maysara and her children are free from war, God willing.