An amputated leg, a destroyed house, & lost jobs.

Dear friends,

Writing this has been one of the most challenging tasks I have ever undertaken in my life. Finding the right words to convey the unimaginable experiences my family and I have gone through is a daunting endeavor.

My name is Tasneem Ayyad. I lived the last three months with my family in unbearable circumstances. We are like every other family around the world—Me, my mother, my father and my 3 brothers, Omer, Mohammed and Kamel. My only sister who is a doctor at Al-Shifa hospital has got married two months just before the war. We lost our family home due to bombings and were forced to evacuate multiple times, moving from the north to the south of Gaza.

Leaving our lovely house, fully aware that we might never see it again, is an indescribably heart-wrenching experience that became our reality. We sought refuge in Al Nusairat camp at a friend's house, but even there, we faced evacuation warnings multiple times, putting our lives at risk. 

On 16-10-2023 

There was no drop of water in the house nor in the district where we evacuated. So my brother, Omer, went to the desalination plant but unfortunately the street had been heavily bombarded. At this moment Omer's right leg had been amputated. Now, he needs to travel abroad to get the right treatment. 

My brother, Omer, befor and after 16th of October. 

Omer is an engineer who suffered to find a job in his academic speciality and he was working at a library before war. I had completed my English language studies two years ago and started working shortly before the war began.  Mohammed began his second year at Islamic university which was completely bombarded. Kamel is still at school - before he was caring about exams 

but now he cares about filling water and getting food. We had big dreams for our future.

One of my groups at Al-Salam Center just before the war

Now, Omer & I have lost our jobs, Mohammed & kamel have lost their chance to continue their education. We've lost many friends, yet, we still possess a resilient strength and a great hope for the future, as if all the destruction around us can be magically transformed into a safe space where we can think about tomorrow.

Currently, my family had to evacuate to Rafah, where they lack relatives or friends to provide shelter. Moreover, finding available and affordable rental apartments is nearly impossible due to the mass displacement, soaring prices, and our limited funds. 

We need your help to leave Gaza and attempt to build a temporary life until we can return to our warm home. The arrangements for leaving the Strip through the Rafah crossing cost at least $8,000 to $10,000 per person. Currently, Rafah border is the only way out of Gaza, and fleeing the war requires this amount. In difficult financial circumstances, my family cannot secure this amount to escape from the death that spares no one.

This campaign can help them survive and give them real hope for a future that may hold better opportunities for them.

Help us ensure that my family's story does not end here.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and support my family.

Wishing you, your families, and your countries peace