My name is Anita da Costa (aka Poe). I am a Social Worker Psychotherapist living in Mississauga, Ontario where I met Heba Abudagga and her 11 year old daughter Sadeen. I am compelled to organize this URGENT fundraiser to aid in evacuating Heba’s 3 children and husband who remain in Gaza after witnessing their immense suffering.

Heba’s family is from Khan-Yonis from the south of Gaza Strip. Right after Oct 7, the family endured multiple evacuation orders, living in makeshift tents, and humiliating and dangerous conditions.

The most harrowing event was on July 22, 2024 when their home was bombed.

Miraculously the family survived. However, in the rubble they found Sadeen severely injured- the young girl lost her eye and suffered burns on her legs, hands, and back as result of the attack.

After months in the hospital Sadeen and Heba were medically evacuated. Heba had to make the devastating decision to leave her other 3 children Dana (8); Layan (14); Mohammad (16), and husband Osama (45).

Through the generous support of a humanitarian organization, Sadeen was able to be fitted with a prosthetic eye. The organization supported their settlement in Canada and arranged for medical treatments. She is currently awaiting reconstructive surgery for her legs, hands, back and face at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. She has shown tremendous resilience, and is currently thriving in school in Mississauga.

Meanwhile Heba has no joy while her other children remain in Gaza navigating the deepening humanitarian crisis. In addition to regular bombings, the children are currently living in a tent, open to the elements including flea, mosquito, and rat infestations. The living conditions are unsanitary and create another set of circumstances to survive. Among the spread of disease, there is a shortage of available medicines. Obtaining food and water is a difficult and exhausting daily struggle.

Heba lives in fear that her children will meet a similar fate to so many other children in Gaza. The only way to ensure their survival is to evacuate them to Egypt. Private companies profiting off the suffering of Palestinians have become the only option for evacuation. It is devastating for Heba that the cost of her family’s survival is beyond her reach.

Before Oct 7, the Abudagga family were living a simple, quiet life. Heba was working as a Civil Engineer and Osama an Accountant. The youngest Dana was in first grade, while her oldest Mohammad was in grade 8.

The Abudagga family are regular people who have simple desires: safety, and family reunification. If you, like me, have felt helpless the past few years, here is a tangible way to save 4 lives. Any contribution is appreciated. If you cannot contribute financially, please share Heba’s story. She needs the funds urgently as the window to escape is narrow.

Details regarding the funds: While the Abudagga family need funds to support their daily life in rubble, we urgently need funds to ensure their evacuation at the next available opportunity. The funds will be transferred to the organization facilitating the evacuation in Egypt.

Please keep Heba and her family in your heart.