Renewing Hope for Munira & Dr. Hasan's Family from Gaza

My name is Tareq AL Qatrawy, and I come to you from Belgium with a plea from the depths of my heart. I am running this campaign on behalf of my beloved brother's family, who are facing unimaginable hardship in Gaza.

On December 25th, 2023, my brother’s family faced the unthinkable. Forced to flee their home amidst relentless shelling, they found themselves displaced, their lives uprooted, and their dreams shattered. Since then, they have been displaced over five times, desperately seeking safety in a land ravaged by conflict.

Let me introduce you to the Al Qatrawy family:

My brother’s family consists of six members: Dr. Hassan AL Qatrawy, his wife Munira EL Najar, their daughter Lamis, and their sons Ali, Mohammad, and Abood. They once lived a beautiful, successful life filled with love and achievements. Now, after the devastating war, they have lost so much.

Dr. Hassan AL Qatrawy, 42: A PhD holder in Psychology and a university lecturer at Al-Aqsa University, which was completely destroyed, causing him to lose his job. He is also a renowned novelist, with two novels and numerous works published in prestigious literary magazines worldwide.

Munira EL Najar, a beacon of hope in Gaza City. Before October 7, 2023, Munira was not only a Master’s student in English but also a cherished English language teacher, adored by her students for her innovative teaching methods and compassionate approach.

However, the devastating reality of war has shattered Munira's world. Parts of her school, once bustling with eager learners, now stand destroyed, transformed into shelters for those displaced by the conflict. As a result, Munira faces the heartbreaking prospect of losing her job, her livelihood, and her purpose.

But Munira's struggles don't end there. She battles hypothyroidism and heart palpitations, conditions exacerbated by the relentless chaos of war. Accessing necessary medications and medical care has become an uphill battle, leaving her vulnerable and in urgent need of support.

Ali, 17: he was a student passionate about mathematics and technology. His dream was to become a computer programmer in the future, and he worked to achieve this goal since his childhood. Because of the war, he lost an entire year of school, and next year he is supposed to finish high school, as there are no schools, univesities or educational institutions for him to complete his education left him with an uncertain future ahead.

Now, Ali who once full of youthful energy and dreams of a bright future, now bears the heavy burden of pain that no child should ever endure. His once vibrant spirit has been dimmed by the relentless ache in his stomach, a constant reminder of the horrors he has faced.

Every day, Ali wakes to the cruel embrace of exhaustion, his body weakened by the relentless assault of illness. His laughter, once a melody of joy, has been silenced by the harsh reality of his condition. He can no longer partake in the simple pleasures of childhood, robbed of the freedom to play and explore like other boys his age.

But it is not just his body that suffers; it is his very essence, his spirit, that bears the scars of war. The yellowing of his face, the appearance of strange blisters and bumps, serve as haunting reminders of the pain he endures with each passing moment.

And now, as if fate itself were not content with his suffering, Ali has been struck down by the merciless grip of hepatitis A. Contracted from unclean water and canned food, this insidious disease has further ravaged his fragile body, leaving him teetering on the brink of despair.

Their daughter Lamis, aged 14, is an adored young girl who enjoys studying, reading, and singing, just like any other girl her age. Before the war, she lived a beautiful life, but now she endures fear, hunger, and the terrifying sounds of bombing. She always dreamed of becoming a dentist in the future. Despite being ready for 8th grade to achieve her dreams, all educational institutions in Gaza have been demolished, depriving her of an education for a year and leaving her future uncertain.

Mohammed, 12: dubbed "Newton" for his prodigious intellect, his brilliance illuminating even the darkest corners of our reality. He is an outstanding and talented student who was always honored in school by his teachers. His dream is to become a surgeon in the future so that he can help the people of Gaza and relieve their pain, but his school was destroyed, as were his dreams.

Abood, our precious 3-year-old boy, embodies the innocence and resilience of childhood. His laughter once filled their home with joy, but now it's overshadowed by the deafening roar of war. With each passing day, he clings to his mother, seeking solace from the terrifying sounds of missiles and bombs that haunt our nights.

But amidst the chaos and fear, Abood still dreams of simple pleasures—of playing freely in the safety of his own home, surrounded by his beloved toys. His eyes light up with hope at the mere mention of an apple, a rare treat that symbolizes a world beyond the confines of their harsh reality.

Yet, the price of that simple pleasure is unimaginable—a staggering $10 for just one apple. It's a cruel reminder of the scarcity that defines our existence, of the hunger that gnaws at their stomachs and the desperation that grips their hearts.

For Abood and his brothers, malnutrition is a harsh reality. They've gone far too long without the nourishment they need to thrive—deprived of milk, fruit, and any semblance of healthy food. Their little bodies bear the scars of hunger, their once-rosy cheeks now pale and hollow with deprivation.

In the face of such hardship, Abood's plea for an apple cuts deep, echoing the longing in all their hearts for a return to normalcy. It's a cry for help—a desperate plea for the kindness and compassion of strangers who can offer a glimmer of hope in their darkest hour.

To make the situation worse, the period of displacement was in winter, and the tent was and is still not safe at all when it rained, so some drops of rain would fall on them and it was not warm at all for the children. When Abood heard the sound of thunder and the sound of rain hitting the tent’s, he would be terrified and would run to his parents and say that it was the sound of bombing! The family also suffers from the lack of a bathroom or even a shower. They can only shower once a month using a bucket due to the lack of water. The water is cold in the winter because there is no electricity or gas to heat the water.

Every morning, Munira washes her children's clothes with cold water and spread the clothes out in the open. If food is found, it is cooked on firewood and it is completely unhealthy and tastes bad because of the firewood.

In the tents, it's hard for them to adjust because they don't have a proper home, they're missing important things like food and medicine, and they're constantly scared of the bombs falling around them. Their life used to be good, with big dreams for the future, but now it feels like a never-ending nightmare where they're just fighting to make it through each day alive.

My brother's family never imagined their lives would be like this. They had a beautiful, quiet life in Gaza with big dreams for their four children, planning for a brilliant future. They both had a steady job and a stable income. There was a house with a roof to shelter them and a warm bed for the children, and all their needs were available, but the war deprived them of that.

The goal of this campaign is to provide them with the support they need to navigate through these challenges and forge a path towards rebuilding their lives.

The donations will be transferred to them to evacuate Gaza and start a new life, restoring hope.

Seeking help is never easy, but with no other options left for survival, we humbly turn to you. Together, let's pave the way for a new beginning, brimming with hope and promise, for Abood, Lamis, Mohammed, and Ali. Your generosity and support mean the world to us, and we are profoundly grateful for your kindness during this trying time. By contributing to this campaign, you have the power to make a profound difference in the lives of this family, offering them a chance at safety, security, and a brighter future. Let's join hands and become the beacon of hope they desperately need.

The breakdown of the funds;

The fees for evacuation represent a crucial aspect of the Al Qatrawy family's journey to safety. At $5,000 per adult and $2,500 per child, these costs are not merely financial burdens but lifelines to escape the conflict-ridden environment of Gaza.

However, the stark reality remains that these fees are subject to increase based on demand and availability, adding layers of uncertainty and urgency to their predicament. Each dollar contributed towards these fees is a step closer to ensuring the family's safety.

In addition to the costs associated with evacuation and the process to expedite it, it's important to consider the ongoing living expenses while the family is in Egypt.

1. Accommodation: Renting a place to stay in Egypt, whether it's an apartment or temporary housing, will be a significant expense.

2. Food and Water: Covering the cost of groceries and meals for the family to ensure they have access to nutritious food and clean water.

3. Utilities: Including expenses for utilities such as electricity, water, and gas.

4. Transportation: Budgeting for transportation costs, including public transportation or fuel for any vehicles they may use.

5. Healthcare: Setting aside funds for medical expenses, including doctor's visits, medications, and any unforeseen healthcare needs.

6. Education: The children need to continue their education while in Egypt, budgeting for school fees, supplies, and related expenses.

7. Clothing and Personal Care: Providing for essential clothing items and personal care products for the family.

8. Communication: Covering the costs of communication, such as mobile phone bills or internet access, to stay connected with family and access important information.

9. Emergency Fund: Allocating some funds for emergencies or unexpected expenses that may arise during their stay in Egypt.

By considering these additional expenses, you can ensure that the funds raised will adequately support my brothe's family during their time in Egypt, covering not only the initial evacuation process but also their ongoing living needs.

How You Can Make a Difference:

1- Donate: Every contribution, regardless of its size, brings this family one step closer to safety and the chance to rebuild their shattered lives.

2- Share: Be their voice. By spreading their story within your community, you extend a lifeline of support that can reach farther than you can imagine.

Every act of kindness matters. Your assistance not only offers immediate relief but also lays the foundation for a brighter future. By providing access to vital medical care, education for their children, and the opportunity to start anew in a secure environment, your generosity will leave a lasting imprint on their lives. Thank you for your compassion and generosity in their time of need.

Together, let's weave a tapestry of hope amidst the chaos of conflict. Let's unite in our determination to lift this family from despair to possibility. Let's transform tears of sadness into tears of joy, and despair into destiny.

For our story is not just one of survival, but of resilience. Together, we'll ensure that our narrative resounds with the chorus of hope for generations to come.

To communicate directly with my brother's family, you can follow his wife account on Instagram " munira_elnajar".

Thank you for opening your heart to a family in need.

With deepest appreciation,

Tareq AL Qatrawy (representing Dr. Hassan AL Qatrawey and family)