Help Sana's Family Survive the War on Gaza

My name is Rebekah Erev, I am an artist, clergy, teacher and activist from Olympia, WA, our informal sister city is Rafah, who is currently in extreme crisis and need. I am raising funds to help my friend who is a long-time translator, and her family sustain life and survive during the ongoing bombardment in Gaza and pursue evacuation for her parents, herself, and her sick sister. Sana Adhab and her entire family of 27 have been displaced, all of their homes have been destroyed.

Her family is displaced and separated - and her 8 siblings all have children. We are raising funds to evacuate 12 family members including five children under 15. And one child who is 15 (the Egyptian travel agency considers people over 15 "adults") I am raising these funds in direct partnership with Sana, all the funds raised will go directly to her incrementally since they have had no income for over 7 months and need to address immediate ways to stay alive and fed. Some of the funds have gone directly to a community well Sana's father built in partnership with a community organization. Hundreds of people are accessing this well water. Your support can make all the difference in saving their lives. Sana, a talented English literature graduate, expresses her thoughts below:

Hey there, amazing people of the world!

Once, I had dreams. I was like you, enjoying life, pursuing my passions. But now, grief consumes me. Let me tell you my story.

I'm Sana from Gaza, just 27 years old. Everything changed for me on the 7th of October. I was sitting with my laptop, filled with hope, applying for a Chevening master scholarship. But that night, my world shattered. I went to sleep, planning to finish my application later. Little did I know, I would wake up to the nightmare of a lifetime.

Explosions rocked the air, panic gripped my family, and suddenly, we were thrust into the darkest war imaginable. Day by day, we lost more than just our possessions. We lost friends, family, and our sense of security. Can you imagine living in the 21st century without clean water or enough food? It's a reality I wouldn't wish on anyone.

And then, on the 8th of January, our lives took another cruel turn. Without warning, our area was invaded. Tanks and snipers surrounded us, relentless bombing filled the air. We had to flee, leaving behind everything we held dear. Our home, where we laughed, cried, and built our dreams, was no longer safe.

Now, my family of 27 is scattered, seeking refuge wherever we can find it. My parents and sister are crammed into a destroyed home, while my brothers and their children are living in tents. Despite the chaos, I cling to one hope: to save my elderly parents and sick sister.

I used to dream of furthering my education, of becoming a teacher and making a difference. But now, survival is all that matters. My family never wanted to leave Gaza, but we have no choice if we want to live. It's a heartbreaking decision, one we make with heavy hearts. The situation is dire, with no end in sight as we are about to reach 5 months of war!

My father, at 70 years old, has battled cancer before and emerged victorious. But now, with diabetes, high blood pressure, and a heart condition, the war has turned his world upside down. Amidst the chaos, fungal infections and wounds plague his feet, a terrifying reality for a diabetic. I'm desperate to save him, to ensure he has access to medication and food.

And my mother, after undergoing surgery in March 2023, still fights on. But vital medications she relies on are nowhere to be found. The combination of age, scarcity of essentials, and relentless bombing fills them with fear. I fear for their lives every day.

So I reach out, hoping against hope that kind souls around the world will help us. With your support, we can make it through this dark time and rebuild our shattered lives. Your donation could mean the difference between life and death for me, my elderly parents, and my sick sister.

Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a world of difference.

Costs for the next few months include:

$10,000/person exit fee x 4 = $40,000

$3,000/month living expenses for 4 people for 6 months = $18,000

Total = $58,000

If there is a ceasefire inshallah, we will use the funds to rebuild our lives here in Gaza.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Sana and family ❤️