Please help Riwaa and her family flee Gaza

My name is Deborah Root, and I am honored to present this appeal from my dear friend, Riwaa Abu Quta. I have known Riwaa for several years, first as a student and then as a friend. She and her family live in Rafah, in Gaza and are hoping to raise funds to exit that war zone as soon as possible. There is an Egyptian travel company, Ya Hala, that arranges the official paperwork and transportation from Gaza into Egypt. The company is legitimate, and I know others who have used their services successfully. It's expensive, though--$5,000 USD per person, and Riwaa's family is 11 people in total. But the situation is dire, and I urge everyone to contribute what they can to help save the lives of this lovely family. We have people on the ground in Egypt ro help them, and once there they will be able to plan their next move. I will collect the funds here in Canada, and transfer them to Ya Hala, the travel organization in Egypt. Transactions will be fully transparent.

Deborah Root

Dear Supporters,

My name is Riwaa. I have a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Teaching Methods. I am also a writer and I have been writing stories and poems about what we have witnessed over the years. I wish to document a beautiful end for my family to what we are suffering currently because of the attack, so I am reaching out to you with a heavy heart and a plea for help. I live in Rafah city in Gaza with my family of 11 people, and our lives have been shattered by the ongoing violence and devastation of war.

Before the genocide, our lives were filled with simple joys and routines. I worked diligently to provide for my family, and in our precious moments of leisure, we enjoyed walks, visits to our favorite restaurants, and gatherings with friends. We reveled in the simple pleasures of family outings to the beach, where we would breathe the sea breeze until midnight.

However, the brutal reality of war has robbed us of our sense of security and stability. We have lost our jobs, and face constant bombardment. The last bomb was only 100 metres away from our home and this caused some damage to our house; the house's roof is made of asbestos and was extensively damaged by the bombardment, and so we covered the roof with pieces of nylon to prevent rainwater leakage. There's no safety; we live in fear and anxiety, seeing death all around us. We don't know rest, day or night.

My disabled sister A'laa is 32-year-old woman who suffers from seizures and requires urgent and ongoing medical care, supplies and diapers, which are scarce and not available in pharmacies or medical clinics. Additionally, she requires special nutrition.

Riwaa's parents

My parents require access to medications for chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart issues. The lack of medications further complicates our dire situation. We, the six girls in the family, are suffering during these attacks, with the lack of all women's basics exacerbating our plight. Furthermore, the war has disrupted the plans of my brother, Mohsen, a talented painter who was in the process of arranging to marry. My other brother, Saleem, was a wonderful chef at a hotel, and was hoping to start a family with his wife. My sister Heba has earned two certificates, a diploma in Health Monitoring and a Bachelor's degree in Social Services. Another sister, Maysa, has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She loves children and enjoys teaching them. Esraa has a Bachelor's degree in Arabic Language and Teaching Methods, and Maha has a drgree in Business Administration. We are a family that loves education. Yet everything is now on hold.

Abu Quta sisters

As a family, we are in desperate need of assistance to escape the horrors of war and seek refuge in a safer environment abroad. The escalating violence and the lack of basic necessities have made life unbearable for us. We humbly ask for your support to help us relocate and rebuild our lives away from the constant threat of harm. Right now, my primary concern is the survival of myself and my family.

When I imagine the future I have these hopes: to rebuild our lives and create a safer, brighter future for my family, where we can live without fear. I want to ensure that my sister A'laa receives the proper care and support she needs, and I hope to pursue education and career opportunities once we're in a safer place. I long to reconnect with the simple joys of spending time with loved ones and enjoying leisure activities without the constant threat of violence. Despite the challenges we face, I believe in our ability to grow emotionally and spiritually and to find strength and resilience to overcome our past traumas. Above all, I dream of cherishing life's simple pleasures, such as enjoying nature, pursuing hobbies, and celebrating milestones with my family and celebrating moments of joy in a peaceful and stable environment.

My dreams reflect my desire for a brighter and more hopeful future for myself and my loved ones, away from the devastation of war.

Your generous contributions will provide us with the opportunity to find safety and stability in a new country, away from the devastation of war. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference in our lives and bring us one step closer to a brighter future.

From the depths of our hearts, we thank you for your compassion and generosity. Your kindness will not be forgotten, and we are forever grateful for your support in our time of need.

With gratitude,

Riwaa and Family

Riwaa