In Memory of Heba Zagout: Help Her Children Faisal & Baraa

My name is Maher Faisal Al-Awawda, and I am the father of Faisal and Baraa. I am reaching out to you with a heart heavy with grief and a hope that, together, we can give my children a chance to rebuild their lives.

On October 10, 2023, our world was shattered. My beloved wife, Heba Zagout, and our two younger sons were killed during the war in Gaza. In an instant, my children lost their mother, their little brothers, and the only home they had ever known.

Heba was more than just a wife and mother—she was a gifted artist whose work captured the soul of Palestinian life. Through her paintings, she expressed beauty, resilience, and the stories of our people. Our home was filled with her art and the laughter of our children, but now both are gone.

Faisal and Baraa have lost everything that was familiar and safe. As their father, I am doing everything I can to protect and care for them, but the challenges we face are overwhelming. We are displaced, grieving, and in urgent need of support to rebuild our lives.

I am asking for your help to give my children a future. Your generosity will provide us with essential needs like shelter, food, and the opportunity to heal. No amount is too small—every donation brings us closer to stability and hope.

Heba’s greatest wish was for our children to grow up safe, loved, and with the freedom to dream. Though she and our boys are no longer with us, I am determined to carry her love forward and give Faisal and Baraa a chance to live the life she wanted for them.

Please, if you can, help us by donating or sharing our story. Your kindness means more than words can express, and we are deeply grateful for any support you can offer during this devastating time.

With sincere thanks and hope,

Maher Faisal Al-Awawda