Help restore Melissa’s family after tragedy

Hello friends,

This fundraiser is on behalf of Melissa Jouda and her Aunt Yasmine Jouda.

Many of you have seen the video of little Melissa, a toddler who was the sole survivor of a bombing that left her paralyzed, losing her ability to walk at the tender age of 1 and a half. Melissa's entire family, including both of her parents, grandparents, siblings, and cousins were killed in the bombing. The only remaining family member was her aunt Yasmine, who began to care for her injured niece. Reading Melissa’s story many of us were heartbroken. How could a child possibly endure this kind of devastating traumatic injury without her parents?

Al Jazeera story on Melissa

PBS News Hour story on Melissa

Following the tragic injury, her Aunt Yasmine made the decision to care for Melissa and accompanied her on a medical evacuation from Gaza on October 22, 2023. This was a heartwrenching decision for Yasmine because it meant leaving her own six young children behind. Since then, she has been dedicated to caring for Melissa, remaining constantly by her side.

Melissa is currently receiving treatment in Doha, Qatar, alongside her Aunt Yasmine. She is receiving excellent care but requires ongoing treatment in Qatar. Yasmine has been diligently caring for her, showing her motherly love and affection. Melissa has grown deeply attached to her aunt. When Yasmine is not present, Melissa often cries inconsolably.

During this time, Aunt Yasmine has been separated from her children for over five months while they remain in a war-zone, a heart-wrenching ordeal for any mother. Not only is she separated from her children, but she lives in constant fear for their lives and yearns to have them by her side so that she can protect and care for them.

Yasmine is asking for your urgent help to bring her children to her. Having her children by her side is crucial for Yasmine to continue providing care for Melissa and to restore a sense of family for Melissa amidst this tragedy. Your support in reuniting this family would mean the world to children and a mother who have already gone through so much.

Will you help us to wrap love around Melissa’s family and support her care after this tragedy?

The only way to evacuate her children is to pay a very high coordination fee. We are seeking to raise $20,000 to have the needed funds to reunite Melissa’s family.

Funds will be used towards the evacuation of Yasmine’s six children under the age of 6 plus her husband.

Funds will be used for:

Ibtisam 15 years old

Sara 13 years old

Nida 12 years old

Bisam 11 years old

Muhammad 8 years old

Amir 3.5 years old

Your support can save their lives and bring healing to this family.