Hello everyone. I'm Diyala, a children's book author living in Memphis, TN, who is deeply affected by the ongoing catastrophe in my homeland, Palestine. I am currently fundraising to help my friend Islam and his family, start a new life.

In 2018, I met Islam, an ambitious entrepreneur, and family man who was running his own startup, that was dedicated to helping youth in Gaza find study abroad opportunities through his platform "Meet Scholars." Islam has a degree in Rural Development and Agribusiness which he obtained from the EU, and works to helping people and communities in need.

Islam has a wife, named Mona Zorab, who is 30 - with a background in Sociology. Together, they have built a beautiful family. They have three kids. The oldest, Jawan, is 8 and full of dreams. She was in the third grade when the war started and her school became a shelter. Even though things are tough, Jawan loves stories and hopes to have her own library someday. She dreams of a safer place for her family.

Khaled, their 5-year-old, is smart and loves swimming and writing. He dreams of a peaceful childhood, far from bombs and destruction.

Zeina, the youngest at 16 months, is a bright and beautiful baby. Her future holds promise if she can survive the war.

The family wants to leave Gaza for a better life, where their children can grow up without fear and continue their education in peace.

I humbly urge you to contribute whatever you can to help the Dahliz family start a new life. Their safety, like that of countless others, hangs in the balance.