My name is Hannah Rucker, I’m from Virginia and based out of Puerto Rico. I’m raising funds for Saeed Al-Akharsa. Saeed is the brother of Majed, whose family I also sponsor. I am in daily contact with multiple members of Saeed’s extended family including frequent video chats. I can attest to his authenticity and the desperate circumstances of families like his facing famine in Deir al-Balah.

From Saeed:

“Hello, I am Saeed Al-Akharsa from Gaza. My family, consisting of my children and my wife, were living a happy life like any family, living in peace in a modest house filled with love and happiness. Suddenly, war happened and we migrated from our only home to live in a place that was not suitable for living. However, circumstances govern a person against his will, and he no longer has a choice. We have a house that was bombed and everything was gone with it, from the beautiful memories that we had in it. Even my children ask me about their toys. I don’t know what to tell them and how to tell them that we no longer have a house and we will not return to it. There are no more toys and there is no longer the beautiful bed that they used to sleep on. . I will not talk about what we witnessed in this war, what we were exposed to, and how many times we survived!!! Because whoever watched the scenes on social media knows very well how the people of Gaza lived in this war and how much they suffered.”

Contributions to this family will cover food, shelter, medical care, clothing, and emergencies. Food prices have tripled in the last two months, and families like Saeed’s are turning to the international community to feed their children, who suffer from chronic hunger and nutritional gaps. This is the coldest time of year in Gaza. Please help this sweet and loving family shelter from the elements.

I will send funds promptly and directly from my bank to theirs. These funds will be directed as intended—to ease the hardships of a family in dire need. This is a civilian family suffering from their circumstantial proximity to conflicts that they have no part in, but have nonetheless displaced them and caused them to suffer terribly. The only purpose of these funds is to keep this family alive and healthy.