Help Motasem's Family Escape Gaza

My name is Miakoda. I am a single mother originally from Brooklyn, New York, now living in Nayarit, Mexico.

But we are not here to talk about me. We are here to talk about my beloved brother Mo’tasem Mortaja and his family.

Mo’tasem was born, raised, and still lives in Gaza -- where life remains a daily struggle. In 2018 his eldest brother, Yaser Mortaja, a journalist, was killed as he documented the Great March of Return. "His loss was a devastating blow, but it ignited within me a determination to carry on his mission."

In 2019 Mo’tasem created his own media production company, in order to amplify the struggles, resilience, and beauty of his people. This is his instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/motasem.mortaja/?igsh=ZnN3MXpja3BiMnZn where he has over 1.5 million followers.

In 2021, his company was destroyed as part of a targeted campaign to silence free media and Palestinian voices. Despite this devastating loss, Mo’tasem continues documenting and amplifying the voices of his people as well as assisting other journalists in Gaza who face relentless dangers and hardships.

In 2023 Mo’tasem's younger brother, Hamza Mortaja, was also martyred, in a targeted attack on a UN vehicle, "which was blown into pieces."

Both of his deceased brothers left Mo’tasem with a heavy responsibility: that of caring for their children. "My brother's children have now become an inseparable part of my life and my greatest duty."

Mo’tasem, his family, and all the people still in Gaza have remained on their ancestral land, despite so much loss and danger, as a courageous act of resistance.

After so much loss and struggle, Mo'tasem and his family are making the brave and heart braking choice to leave. "They are no options for survival in Gaza. They are leveling everything. They are trying to kill every last one of us."

Inspired by Mo’tasem's example, I am now amplifying his desperate plea for help by asking you to contribute to the funds needed to evacuate his family - his wife, children, mother, and nephews. He will be the last to leave if there is not enough money.

Mo’tasem's is asking me to help him raise $5,000 US in order to get his family to safety. He is ashamed to ask for more and is prepared to stay and fight with his people till the end if that is God's will.

I am asking you to help me raise $9,000 US in total so we can Mo’tasem to safety too. His family needs him alive. We need him alive so we can continue seeing life through his sacred eyes.

And per Mo'tasem's request we are first focussing on the funds to save his family.

This may seem like a lot of money to save one family when so many others are also suffering in Gaza, as well as in so many other parts of the world. And, in the bigger picture raising $9,000 to save what's left of his family from certain death, seems like a small price to pay, especially if we pay for it together.

Mo'tasem needs the money NOW. They must get out while they are still alive.

As soon as the funds are raised his family will be evacuated by UNICEF to a secure location outside of Palestine (yet TBD). The bulk of the funds will then be used to help Mo’tasem and his family to start their new life -- providing shelter, food, medical care, and education, to his entire family, likely for the foreseeable future.

For those of us who have been feeling powerless to do anything meaningful in the face of this genocide, this is one concrete action you can take that will save lives and keep a family intact.

Donating here, even a small amount, is a radical act of resistance to the assault on our collective experiences of dignity and empowerment. Please act in solidarity with all those around the world suffering the ravages of colonialism, war, genocide, and horror.

With deepest gratitude from Mo'tasem and his family.