Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out to gather support for my sister Solafa, her spouse Yasser Dahlan, and their three children. Yasser and Solafa have been married for 13 years and are blessed with Ammar, aged 12, Mohammed, aged 9, and Malak, aged 3.

**Update** Yasser’s plan was to travel and leave Gaza in order to survive, but he changed his goal due to the closure of the crossings he thought and found that his life is not more important than the lives of these children who absolutely die every day in front his eyes, so he decided to contribute everything he can in the field of his profession to alleviate the severity of the pain that they are experiencing in Gaza. Especially the group of oppressed children. Please help Yasser and Solafa collect the amount required to purchase entertainment equipment for children’s activities such as balls, colours, ropes, hoops, balloons and food. Yasser is looking to launch art workshops for children, to help them express their feelings especially after all of this hard time. Hopefully, this could help in improving the children’s mental health.

Initiative: Birds of Freedom

Idea:

Gathering a group of children to create white paper kites, where each child writes slogans and dreams that express their aspirations for freedom, peace, and a better future. At the end of the activity, the children will be taken to an open space to fly the kites together, sending a symbolic message of hope and liberation.

Objectives:

Encourage free expression among children through art and writing.

Instill values of hope and freedom.

Create a joyful collective experience despite difficult circumstances.

Highlight children's voices and dreams in a visual, collective form.

Target Group:

Children (ages 8–14).

Activities:

1. Workshop to create white paper kites.

2. Writing and drawing session where children express their dreams or slogans on the kites.

3. Final event: gathering in an open space (public square/beach/playground) to collectively fly the kites into the sky.

Expected Outcomes:

A flock of white kites flying in the sky carrying the children’s dreams.

Documenting the activity with photos and videos to share the message of the initiative.

A small exhibition to display some of the kites (those that remain intact) along with photos of the children.

The ongoing war in Gaza has made daily life incredibly challenging for them, as it has for everyone in the region. They reside in Deir al Balah, deemed a “safe zone,” yet they have narrowly escaped death on multiple occasions due to bombings near their home.

Their day-to-day existence is marked by hardship; they rely on canned food for sustenance, lack heating, and have insufficient electricity. They resort to burning wood for warmth instead of using conventional stoves, which is just one aspect of their daily struggles.

Yasser is a talented fine artist and former art teacher. Despite the economic difficulties in Gaza, he has produced numerous artworks and participated in exhibitions locally and abroad. He has also created several murals in Gaza and used to owned an art studio, which was destroyed in the war. We will share a selection of his paintings with you.

Yasser and Solafa aspire to provide a brighter future for their children. Ammar shares his father’s passion for painting and shows promise of great talent. Mohammed has a keen interest in football and used to join a football club during summer holidays. Malak, our young girl, is full of life and, like all children, deserves a better future.

We are grateful for any contribution you can make to help Yasser and Solafa’s family. Your generosity could make a significant difference in their lives.

Thank you,

Rasha.