Joeforkeye here,

As many of you already know my family, based in Southern Tasmania, have been heavily involved in protesting and spotlighting the ongoing genocide in Gaza and worsening violence and apartheid in the West Bank.

Although these have been dark times, we have made many beautiful connections in Palestine and all over the world. Below are two families we have gotten to know and we are asking for your help in supporting them through this incredibly difficult time.

Both had their family homes destroyed by Israeli airstrikes early in the genocide and are now based in Khan Yunis, Gaza.

Reema, a mother of 3, now lives in a tent and Salwa, a mother of 2, has been forced to move 12 times over the past 16 months.

Both have children under the age of 2. I struggle to get my head around what they must be going through and have huge admiration for the courage and resilience they display in such a devastating and dire situation.

Message from Reema

”Hello can you listen to me

I am Reema from Gaza, a mother of three children. We live here in difficult circumstances due to the genocidal war in Gaza. Your support is useful to us, even if it is small. Be a lifeline for my children and please don’t leave our hands, we love life, help us to reach safety. You can see my children’s suffering throughout the war in the videos on my page. Every donation from you, no matter how small, is a source of hope for me and my children. Thank you all ”

Message from Salwa,

”Apart from the constant fear we live in, the siege, the closure of crossings, the rising prices of goods, and the shortage of many products, we are literally living in hell. We have been bombed many times and have been besieged by the Israeli army. Thank God I was able to survive with my children until this time. We don't have any source of income. We depend solely on donations. We survive thanks to God and then thanks to the people who donate and look at us with compassion and humanity”.

If you haven’t already please dig deep, it means a great deal to the Hallums’ and more importantly to Reema and Salwa.

We will be splitting the funds raised equally between the families and will provide many updates along the way.

If you have any questions please ask.

Thank you so much,

Joe, Rani, Niamh and Finn X