For many years my dear friend Banan along with her husband have been working to raise funds to provide for families in their refugee camp in Khan Younis in the Southern Gaza Strip. Over the years they have been able to provide food, water, clothing and educational opportunities. Like the entire population of Gaza, she now finds herself in incredible need herself. Here is her story.

My name is Banan. I am a mother, a teacher, and an activist. After enduring four years of hardship in conceiving, I welcomed my daughter, Sara, into the world six months ago. Sadly, she has spent more than half of her short life living under the constant threat of death due to the Israeli war of genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Late in October, our neighbors' house was bombed as we slept. Sarah and I woke to find ourselves trapped under the rubble of our own home. Gasping for breath, we miraculously survived. Displaced for weeks in our relatives' homes, we eventually made the difficult decision to return to our residence, as there seemed to be no safe haven in the Gaza Strip.

Several years ago my husband and I founded the You First Gaza Team—a dedicated collective of teachers and volunteers. This group has been committed to empowering our community in Khan Younis, Gaza, through various educational initiatives and humanitarian assistance.

Since 2016, we've assisted thousands of families, actively engaging in numerous on-the-ground initiatives. Sadly, during this war, we experienced a heartbreaking loss within our team and our community. Many have lost members of their family including myself. No matter how much we are committed to providing for our community it is not possible to get the bombs to stop falling on our heads. With that being stated, I recognize the only way to preserve my daughter's life is to leave the Gaza Strip.

With the help of a dear friend in the US, I am initiating this donation campaign to secure the funds necessary to facilitate safe travel out of Gaza to Egypt. The goal is to reunite with my husband in Egypt and seek a safe environment for my 6 month old daughter's well-being. It is indeed possible to leave Gaza but not without having thousands of dollars to pay $7,000 per person. We ask the international community for help in securing the funds necessary to make this a reality for us. Getting as many members of our family to safety is paramount.

My family and I appreciate the support that people all over the world have been showing for the Palestinian people and those of us living under brutal siege in Gaza. We ask that you share our story and the campaign to help us get to a safe, secure life out of this war zone.

Thank you so very much for caring enough to help.