Empower My Family's Resilience to Remain in Gaza

Dear compassionate souls,

I'm reaching out with a heartfelt plea for support. I am Roba Alkhaldi, 28, Palestinian, burdened with the weight of my family's plight in Gaza.

My family is enduring unimaginable hardships and suffering. However, in the face of adversity, we refuse to succumb to despair. I have taken it upon myself to stand alongside my father and the rest of my family to honour their legacy of resilience and determination. Together, we are determined to rebuild not just their houses, but homes filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.

Let me paint you a picture of those I hold dear: Ahmed, 31, and Wesam, 34, my steadfast brothers; Samar, 32, the sister whose resilience knows no bounds; and Deema, 19, the youngest, with dreams as vast as the sky. And then there are my parents, Sabreen, 50, and Hamdi, 60, whose unwavering love has been our beacon through life's storms.

In recent months, the horror of war has cast its shadow upon my family's doorstep. Forced to flee their cherished houses in northern Gaza, they sought refuge and were displaced to the middle of Gaza. My brother's livelihood, once sustained by his taxi, now lies in ruins, while my father is stripped of his means to put food on the table or build back as he struggles with the harsh reality of unemployment. Our family home, along with the flats of my brother Wesam and sister Samer, has been either completely or partially destroyed.

In the heart of northern Gaza, amidst the echoes of conflict and resilience, stands the remnants of a once vibrant family home—a testament to the unwavering dedication of a beloved father, a pillar of strength during adversity. Every cherished memory, every childhood joy, reduced to rubble instantly. My father, now in his twilight years, stands bereft, his dreams shattered alongside our home.

Meet my beloved father, a man of sixty years, whose boundless generosity has woven the very fabric of our family's existence and values. Since his youthful years and despite the hardships, he has remained steadfast, tirelessly working day and night to provide for us, his cherished family. Through the years, he and my mother have been more than just providers; they have been our rock, our shelter in the storm. My father not only built our humble house but also extended his support to educate and uplift his siblings, placing their needs above his aspirations for higher education.

I vividly recall the moments of my childhood, when my father's presence was a source of solace in times of sorrow and a beacon of joy in moments of celebration. His kindness knows no bounds, as he stood by his neighbours, friends, and extended family, embodying the values of generosity and community service that he instilled in us. Yet, it is a heart-breaking sight, witnessing the physical manifestation of my father's dreams reduced to rubble.

My elder brother Wesam has been also following my father's steps as he went against all odds and worked tirelessly on his taxi to build his modest flat on the first floor of our family house and was saving to get married. I was so excited to visit Gaza to attend his wedding this summer, but it is all gone.

My nephew and nieces

My sister, Samar, a mother of four, endured the agony of displacement. Her journey was marked by uncertainty and fear. From one city to another, she sought solace amidst the chaos, her children's cries a haunting echo of the devastation surrounding them. Samar brought forth life during the war, her daughter Julia, a beacon of hope in the darkness of despair. I was the one who called her Julia, a name that represents courage and youthfulness. I could not imagine the pain and suffering Samar had to endure during her pregnancy and delivery.

In addition, my sister Deema completed high school with distinction last year. Driven by her aspirations to become a women entrepreneur in the field, she enrolled in Al-Azher University in Gaza to study computer engineering. However, her university was destroyed, shattering the physical infrastructure and her dreams and aspirations.

I cannot ignore the cries for help from my loved ones back home. That's why I've taken it upon myself to launch this fundraising campaign. My family needs more than just bricks and mortar to rebuild their homes; they need the hope and support of compassionate and generous individuals like you. Will you join me in honouring my father’s legacy and extending a helping hand to my family?

Together, we can make a tangible difference in their lives.

Funding breakdown:

I humbly request a sum of £67,000 for the following purposes:

• £32,000 to rebuild our family's house and my sister's and oldest brother's flats.

• £12,000 to ensure my sister's education, whether in Egypt or through online means.

• £13,000 to revive my brother's and father's means of livelihood including buying a taxi.

• £10,000 to provide sustenance for the upcoming year.

Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly toward rebuilding my family's houses and livelihood and providing essential resources for my family in Gaza. Your unwavering contribution will not only help rebuild their physical dwellings but also restore their sense of security and hope for a better future.

With unwavering gratitude,

Roba Alkhaldi on behalf of my family