Help me to save our chieldren future and my family

I am Reem Al-Ashqar, a mother of five children. My children and I used to live in the northern Gaza Strip.We were determined to live in our home under any circumstances, but the shelling — rocket attacks and destruction — was stronger than anything. My fear and my husband’s fear for our children forced us to flee. We left our home and our area to go south to Rafah. We may have escaped, but we found ourselves under heavy fire, shelling, and rockets falling randomly.

After that, we were forced once again to flee and become displaced when the Israeli army entered Rafah. We went to the middle of the Gaza Strip, where there was a lack of food, clean water fit for drinking, and many hardships.

Despite the displacement, war, rocket shelling, and food shortages, I decided to start teaching children in my area because I am a mother and I have a bachelor’s degree in basic education. I understand very well what it means for a child to be deprived, even of the most basic rights educational and included some psychological relief. I spent a full year teaching children using illustrative educational tools and, at times, entertaining methods.

When the Israeli army allowed us to return to our homes in the northern Gaza Strip, my family and I went back, even though we already knew our home was destroyed. But returning to one’s homeland is something different.

Upon our return, I did not give up on my desire to ensure our children receive an education. So I gathered the children — but this time in my own neighborhood, where my children had grown up. They gathered in my bombed-out house, and I set up wooden poles and plastic coverings to create a classroom for the children with the few resources I had.

Now I ask for your help in making this educational project succeed. I ask you to support me so that I can offer the best education worthy of our children. Educational materials here are extremely expensive — if they are even available — and there are essential supplies that I urgently need.

Thank you for your understanding and support.