Palastine after care for Lyla & family

Asalamu alaykum warahmatullahi,

I am Mayeda and I am raising funds for Lyla and her family. This is her story in her own words.

My my is Lyla from Gaza and I was blessed with four wonderful children. When the first air strikes took place, after the claim of an attack on Israel there was no mercy, the houses schools, hospitals, nurseries were all being bombed around us. Our house was one of the first to be attacked. At first we thought we could wait until is calmed down but after weeks we released that it would go on for some time, I wanted to leave for the safety of my children, the majority of the people were firm and willing to stay (may God bless those souls).

We were bouncing from one home to another everyone was on the same struggle trying to help and protect one another, everyone’s houses were welcoming others for shelter, after weeks like this, then my world came crumbling down as an air strike struck a building, that crushed my son and husband instantly. When I received the news I was in a state of shock and madness, how can this be. I gave up, after a week sobbing and my heart pumping through my chest, after seeing, others losing everyone and they still have hope in God, I got some strength to get myself together, we packed whatever we could and left.

It was the advice my an elderly man, to flee for the sake of my children so I headed towards Haifa, trying to get out through Lebanon. With much difficulty and the help of so many kind souls we got to the boarder. Not all of us had our ID’s and I prayed to Allah for us to just get through and Allahamdullilah we managed to get to Lebanon. The people in Lebanon were kind but it wasn’t a place where I felt we were safe. Everyone suggested Syria, there were a lot of people going that way and Allah was kind enough to get me through it, we got in van crowded with lots of people and drove for hours (it all seems like a blur) and ended up in Syria in a refugee camp. There was aid and shelter, there we rested and stayed her for 6 months, as I just needed to take in everything that had just happened, and as I couldn’t move and was exhausted, I finally had the strength to go and leave for turkey.

I got by from the kindness of people who had very little themselves, and got to the boarders. The Turkish had a lot of people already from Syria coming there and we had a lot of worry but after while we got in Allahamdullilah. Everyone said to go to Antalya to the mosque so that’s where we headed and once we got there Allahamdullilah the Imam took us in gave us food and shelter and did so for a group of us.

We walked to a mall 10 minutes away from the mosque, to try and get bits for my children. I never had to ask for help like this before and didn’t want to but I came across a lovely family and I felt their kind souls. I was only looking for a little help to get my children some new clothes, but what they did from there I have only seen in Gaza. They cooked for us, gave me money that I hadn't held in my hand for such a long time. I didn’t want to burden the family. They helped to get a flat for me and my children the next day and I was overwhelmed as we had waited so long for this.

I then knew that Allah had sent them to us.

This is Lyla's heartbreaking story and I have been created a vessel (a means to help) we all have.

A few months back I knew I wanted to start funding and helping as many people as I could but I did not know how to go about it. A lovely sister I know offered to pray for me to put the correct people in front of me (as a means to help) and as always with very powerful dua (supplication) I was given Lyla's story (the very next day). I was blessed to go and visit Lyla and her family and to see their home.

Lyla is extremely grateful and does not ask for anything, Herself like many from Gaza, think about everyone else before themselves but I know that she is in great need of our support.

On my visit, I had conversations about what she went through and how she has now lost contact with other family members and friends in Gaza, not knowing who is still alive. As she watches the news, she keeps an eye out for which buildings still stand.

We cannot imagine her suffering and pain and I hope that you will come on this journey with me to help assist Lyla and her family as best as we can. Not only I believe it would be beneficial for the family to receive counselling support and schooling costs for the children. I came to release upon visiting, that her three children and herself do not have proper beds nor bedding, they are in a very high and extremely hot building with no air conditioning. Lyla's teenage daughter is currently working in Turkey as a cleaner, trying to provide for her family but they are very much struggling to get by. They left Gaza, with the clothes on their backs. Their house was bombed and they lost everything.

Although they received some help, from a lovely family a few months back who assisted in getting them a place, they need regular funding to help cover the cost of their rent, bills, food, clothing etc and an aircon system. They also have no bath or shower to wash with (just a small area next to their toilet).

100 percent of these funds will go towards improving the lives of Lyla's family and these funds will help to cover her monthly expenses moving forwards, along with the things mentioned above. I will be sharing regular updates with anyone who would like to see their progress.

I am working on projects for Palestine after care and we really need your help to create better futures for the ones struggling to get by, from this aftermath.

Inshallah (God willing) You can help Lyla and her family Ameen.