My name is Leila Haseba Shaban and I'm a Palestinian living in the United States, fundraising on behalf of my Gazan family.
For the past 3 years of this genocide, they have endured unimaginable hardships, moving from one refugee camp to another, living in war zone conditions that no human should ever experience.
We are mourning the loss of over 40+ family members, while the rest are still at risk due to constant bombardment, food scarcity, and contaminated water.
Most of my family cannot escape the onslaught, they do not have the funds, the travel documents, and the border is now closed.
I am fundraising for their basic necessities and long term, to rebuild their lives in Gaza.
The people you'll be directly supporting includes over 70 paternal family members who live in Khan Younis (8 aunts/uncles, 57 cousins, plus their spouses and children).
GOALS & WHAT DONATIONS WILL BE USED FOR:
- I'm raising funds for basic needs like food, water, shelter, and medical attention. This 35k initial estimate is because I would like to raise $500 for each of my 70+ family members to sustain them for the next 5 months of this year ($100 a month for each person). Food prices have surged in Gaza, a basic meal can cost $50 for a family. A pack of diapers can be $40. For those who are able to evacuate, they must pay $375 in rent without being allowed to work in Egypt. Recently another member who was shot needed to pay for transportation to get treated. The money will be distributed amongst them depending on urgency, they know best what is needed as priorities shift.
WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR HELP NOW:
My father and I are one of the few members from our Palestinian family that are living in diaspora. My parents and I have been sending money to our loved ones when we can. I've taken thousands out of my emergency savings to help them.
After 3 years of war and no end in sight, we cannot continue to financially support them all without my father putting himself into further debt, and putting myself in a precarious financial situation which is why we're asking for help now.
Please support me as I try to put an end to their suffering, ensure their survival, and provide them with a chance to start anew.
HOW THEY WILL RECEIVE CASH AID:
Previously, I was transferring my personal money through Western Union but there were delayed delivery times, long waiting lines to pick up deposits, and a shortage of cash.
Now that most (if not all) physical institutions have been demolished, it has become nearly impossible to find anymore cash avenues in Gaza. We've had to find alternative ways of channeling cash aid when all traditional avenues have been destroyed.
The fastest way to get this urgent aid to my family is through hawala or a digital wallet which they have access to.
IN THEIR WORDS
Below I will be highlighting the words of just one of many of my cousins in Khan Younis so you can understand what they've been through during this time.
'I was living in peace and security in my life and spreading love in my surroundings and I was working as a graphic designer. I built my house for marriage and a beautiful family, but the war soon came and destroyed everything that destroyed my dreams, destroyed my future, my work ended, demolished my home and lost my family.
Israel took away our farmland, swept away about 200 olive and citrus trees, took control of the plot and built a buffer zone. Israel demolished my house and killed my father and brother.
I feel the loss of my father and brother with all the sadness they were killed when the house bombed and this house contains my apartment for the future. The house that was demolished is my home.
Sure to lose your home, your security and your memories is unfortunate. Plus, I lost my device, which is my only source of income, and I lost all my important papers and data.
The war continues to rise, as does the death toll and destruction. It's still so bad because of the war after I lost everything. Currently, I am seeking a laptop to get back to work. After this human, material and psychological loss, it's still difficult. I can go back to where I was, but I need support.'
Endless gratitude for your care, solidarity, and generosity during these times of crisis for my family.
Organizer
