Alaa's plea to save her family and build her educational future.
Urgent appeal for help from nurse Alaa from Mawasi Khan Yunis to save what remains (I write to you today with my heart burdened with the pain of loss and the bitterness of displacement. My name is Alaa, a 2022 general nursing graduate, a displaced person who lost everything. I write to you with a heavy heart for the sake of my family, to rise from the depths of hell that our souls have lived through).
The loss and human suffering/tragedy didn't end with this level of oppression and the bitterness of displacement. On a night we will never forget, the night of May 17th, at 11:15 PM, our dream of a peaceful sleep turned into a terrifying nightmare that tore our tents apart, stole our dreams, and snatched away our loved ones. This was the result of the Al-Mawasi massacre, which claimed the lives of more than forty martyrs, including my younger brother, Muhammad, the love of my life, whom I saw as my child and the apple of my eye. I always boasted about his kindness and dignity. Also among them was my uncle, Saadi, who was my friend, my brother, and the light of my eyes. I used to travel among nations, proudly proclaiming myself the niece of Saadi, a man of impeccable reputation. And my grandfather and my cousins, Mazen and Muhannad, men of high moral character. Two months after this massacre, on the twenty-eighth of July, we lost my sister's righteous husband and support, Muhammad Qashta Abu Anwar, leaving behind his only child, Anwar, aged 3, who always makes me cry with his innocent looks and his repeated question, "Where is my dad?" (Despite this, belief in destiny compels us to believe what happened. And the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: “How amazing is the affair of the believer, for all of his affairs are good. If something good befalls him, he is grateful, and that is good for him. And if something bad befalls him, he is patient, and that is good for him.”)
Dignity and the reason for seeking help: (We are a family of dignity and self-respect, and we are not among those who ask for help from anyone. We are inherently givers and do not take. However, the harsh conditions of war, the bitterness of loss, and the hardships of life have driven us to take this path. This appeal has become the only way for us to survive with those who remain with us.)
Financial Goal and Urgent Need / Minimum $1000. Today, I stand before you to request urgent and immediate assistance to save my family from an impending humanitarian catastrophe, especially with winter approaching. We desperately need to secure the following: 1- Winter clothing and heavy blankets. 2- Basic food and supplies for my sister, her child, and my family, as our sources of income have been cut off. 3- Covering the costs of my father's urgent medical treatment. He is suffering from a severe thrombocytopenia and has undergone an urgent transfer. These funds will help cover any costs associated with his treatment or evacuation, which we are eagerly awaiting. 4- Sponsorship for the orphaned child and his grieving mother, who are now without a provider.
Future Segment - Inspiration and Master's Degree (As a nursing graduate, I know how to deal with physical pain, but the experience of loss we endured taught me that true healing begins with healing the soul. This is what motivates me to return as a psychologist. My goal has now become a sacred duty. I want to return to the classroom to be able to save shattered lives. I aspire to pursue a Master's degree in Mental Health to be a helpful force, armed with knowledge, and to make my parents proud. I want to prove to them that despite the pain, their daughter strives for knowledge and advancement, to be a support to every broken soul... The impact of war wasn't just material damage; it was deeper and more dangerous. I witnessed it in the eyes of children whose innocence was stolen and in the silence of adults who lost their bearings. At that moment, I no longer wanted to be just a witness. I realized that psychological first aid is no less important than physical first aid, and this observation is the spark that guided me towards the path of a Master's degree in Mental Health.
Conclusion / With your help, you are not only saving an orphaned child and a sick father, but you are also helping a nurse who has the determination to get up, rebuild her life, and achieve her dream. I hope donations will exceed this minimum for our survival, and I pledge to share regular updates on every dollar we receive and how it is spent so that we are partners in every step we take towards safety. (Every dollar you donate is a step towards rising from this hell, a warmer tent, a meal for an orphaned child, and a step towards healing a father who has lost everything.)