I’m Denise. I live in Washington State in the U.S. I’m organizing & managing this fundraiser on behalf of Mahmoud Balousha, Soha Ibrahim Balousha, and Hassan Ismail Al-Mishaal. I connected with Mahmoud on social media as he needed someone to create a fundraiser for his sister and her family, who are currently displaced in Gaza.

Mahmoud was able to evacuate to Egypt where he is currently residing. We are in touch via WhatsApp. The funds raised will be transferred from myself to Mahmoud in Egypt. He will use the funds to (hopefully) secure a safe evacuation from Gaza for his sister and her family, as well as for future living expenses whether or not they are able to cross the border.

10/11/24 Update - Here is a video Mahmoud recently acquired from his sister of Karim showing the family's current living conditions.

Soha, her husband Hassan, and their 4 sons were originally from what is known as Beach Camp, or Al-Shati in Gaza. Their home in Al-Shati has been destroyed, and they have been displaced several times throughout the ongoing siege on Gaza: first to Khan Yunis, then to Rafah, and now back to Khan Yunis where they are currently residing.

Two of their children, Ahed and Mohammed, are young adults who are both very academically successful. Ahed was scheduled to take his high school exams this year, but it was not safe after the siege on Gaza began. Mohammed was enrolled in university but is no longer able to attend school. Before the aggression began, Mohammed ranked first in his class every year. Mahmoud has also shared with me that his nephew worked at his store and was an excellent worker.

They also have two younger children named Majd and Karim, who loved to attend school before the aggression began.

These are some pictures of their children (circled) and their schoolmates in a classroom at school.

I will post further updates as I communicate with Mahmoud. Please donate generously to assist this family in evacuating safely and, as Mahmoud put it, to help restore hope to them.

Edit, 7/18/24 - Mahmoud has shared some photos with me of the family's current living situation which I've included below. They have already been displaced SEVEN times after their home was bombed, and they are currently staying in a makeshift structure within a refugee camp. Please continue donating to help provide some stability to Karim and his family after their lives were completely upended.