Help Shaima and Mohammed to evacuate from Gaza

Shaima and her brother are currently in Gaza. Their lives shattered by war, they’re just two souls from Gaza seeking to escape the destruction and rebuild their dreams. We are now raising funds to help them evacuate. Please share and donate what you can.

Here is a message from Shaima:

"In the heart of Gaza, where death lurks around every corner, my brother Mohammed and I are fighting for our lives and our dreams. I am Shaimaa, a 25-year-old architectural engineer, and Mohammed is my 20-year-old brother. Our lives have been shattered by war, leaving us with nothing but the clothes on our backs and a deep sense of fear and uncertainty. The War has not only shattered our home but also our dreams and aspirations.

 We had to evacuate our home in northern Gaza to the south on November 15, 2023, after the Israeli army attacked our residential area, burning down neighboring houses and causing fires everywhere. We were helped by neighbors and had to flee to save our lives. We stayed in an area thinking it was safe, but after a short period, we were attacked again, my family and everyone in the area, with bullets fired at the place we sought refuge. We miraculously escaped after an Israeli sniper targeted us as we were leaving. We saw nothing but blood on the ground. We were forced to flee to Rafah city, which was not safer and under very difficult health conditions. Then we left Rafah to return to another area, facing the same risks as before. After a short period, we received news that our house was targeted by warplanes’ missiles, causing serious damage to it. Our warm home and our only refuge were no longer fit for living. There was a small, warm room on the ground floor where my family of 8 sheltered, never venturing outside for fear of being targeted. This room was one of the most damaged and burned rooms. If we were in it, we would now be among the dead, but God saved us. 

 

Everywhere we go, there is constant danger. Today, 212 days after the war, the pain remains the same, and the suffering continues. We have lost count of the number of times we have been forced to evacuate to escape the bombs that rain down on our city. Each time, we leave behind memories of a life that once was, not knowing if we will ever return or if we will even survive. 

 I had big plans to rebuild my community and create spaces where people could thrive with my unwavering passion for life and architecture. However, the war destroyed not just buildings but also my job and workplace. I was once a youth leader and a trainer for a team of engineers and designers. I was accustomed to designing beautiful buildings. Moreover, I was an environmental activist, striving to make Gaza a flourishing place. However, all of that changed with the destructive war that swept through my city, leaving me and my family homeless and without a source of income.

My brother Mohammed studies Multimedia, and his dream of completing his university studies has been shattered by the relentless bombings of the Israeli occupation, which have left all universities in Gaza, including the Islamic University where Mohammed was enrolled, in ruins. The future that once seemed so bright now looks bleak and uncertain. He urgently needs to complete his semester in Egypt, but his ability to do so depends on his ability to leave Gaza and secure his safety. 

Both Mohammed and I have been strong supports for our family, always helping each other financially. Mohammed worked hard as a graphic designer while studying to pay for his university education himself. However, the war suddenly stopped his work and education, taking away all the opportunities he had worked so hard for. 

• Our only hope lies in leaving Gaza through the Rafah border crossing to Egypt. But the crossing imposes exorbitant fees of $5000 per person, a sum that is beyond our means. We need to leave and try to help our family financially in these difficult circumstances. 
• The funds raised will serve as our ticket to freedom (5000$+5000$), enabling us to escape the cycle of violence and rebuild our shattered lives in Egypt. The remaining amount will cover the completion fees for Mohammed’s studies, visa fees, the costs of transportation, rent and one month’s living expenses. 

• Every donation, no matter how small, will bring us closer to our goal and help us secure a brighter future. 

Despite the challenges we face, Mohammed and I refuse to lose hope. We believe in the power of education and hard work to change our circumstances and build a better future. Our dreams are not just for ourselves but for our community and our country, which has endured so much pain and suffering. 

Your support can change our lives. Your donation, no matter how small, can help us take a step towards safety and a brighter future. Together, we can overcome the horrors of war and build a better tomorrow.