Please follow Rawan on Instagram. Get to know her. @rawan.n.syam (mine is arlenalan76)

My name is Arlene Alaniz, and I’m from Houston. I became acquainted with Rawan Seyam through my cousin, a disabled U.S. veteran from Maine who has been working with families in Gaza for almost a year. Rawan’s story has deeply moved me, and I’m sharing it here in hopes of bringing attention to the unimaginable pain and loss she has endured.

Rawan’s story in her own words:

My name is Rawan(24 years old), and I am writing to you from Khan Younis, where my two young children and I have been displaced amidst the relentless bombing in Gaza. My youngest, Elias, is only two years old, and my son(Karam) was born on the first day of the war, without the proper care a newborn needs. Like many families here, we struggle to survive each day, living in constant fear under the sound of bombs, with no guarantee of safety.

Our daily life is a battle. We travel long distances just to find clean water, and often, the only water available is unclean, forcing my children to drink it despite the risks. Both of my children have been sick with hepatitis multiple times due to these conditions. Access to food, water, and healthcare is nearly impossible. I am doing everything in my power to keep my children safe and healthy, but the situation is overwhelming.

Elias and his brother need proper medical care, but here in Gaza, there are no doctors or medicines available to treat them. Every day is a challenge to find food and basic necessities, and I worry constantly about their health and well-being in these dire conditions.

I never imagined I would be raising my children under such extreme circumstances. The war has stripped us of everything — our home, our safety, and our ability to live with dignity. My heart aches as I watch my children suffer, and I am reaching out to you today, hoping that your kindness can help us get through this impossible time.

With winter fast approaching, we also need warm clothes and blankets to protect ourselves from the cold. We have no proper shelter, and the harsh conditions are only making our situation more desperate. Your generosity will help us stay warm, fed, and, most importantly, alive.

Thank you for reading my story and for considering helping my family. Your support, no matter how small, could mean the difference between life and death for us. Please share our story and keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Elias is 2 years old

and Karam 11 months old( born 1 day after the Genocide)

Funds will be used to for food, water, and winter clothes. Once the borders open, funds will go towards evacuating to Egypt.