A Story of Survival, Loss, Hope, and Winter's Cold

Dear Friends,

I'm reaching out to share my family's journey with you, hoping for your kindness and support during these difficult times. I am based in the United Kingdom while my family (my mom, three brothers (Abdulrahman, Ghazi and Farid) and a sister Farah) are based in Gaza, Palestine .My family’s lives have been upended by the harsh realities of conflict and displacement happening now in Gaza.

* This is a photo of my family BEFORE the war.

It all began on 25th of October when violence shattered our peaceful neighbourhood. Fortunately, my family wasn’t home when the bombs fell; otherwise, they might have lost their lives, too. The devastation was immense. We lost 11 relatives and tens of our neighbours in that single strike. I will be sharing a video with you of the bombardment of our neighbourhood that happened on the 25th of October.

This is the video link

Seeking safety, my family found refuge in a UN shelter in Khan Younis, where they have been living in a tent since then. But even there, safety was fleeting. In mid-January, the occupation forces besieged the shelter, forcing them to flee once more. It was a heart-wrenching decision, leaving behind everything familiar.

Now, here they are in Rafah, still living in a tent with a harder circumstances. With each passing day, the cold of winter becomes more biting, and I hope to find a roof to shield them from its chill.

Life in Rafah is a constant struggle. They lack running water and proper amenities. But amidst the hardship, we cling to hope. Hope for a better tomorrow, hope for safety, and hope for reuniting our fractured family.

* AFTER war: Their only dream is to survive this brutal war!

That's why we've launched this GoFundMe campaign. Our goal is to raise £27.000. The bulk of this fund will go towards working with Ya Hala travel agency, which specializes in coordinating travel arrangements for Palestinians like us (They charge $5000 per person) and the rest will go for living expenses.

Your contribution, no matter how small, will make a tremendous difference. It's a step towards rebuilding our lives and bringing my family back together. Your kindness brings us closer to a brighter future.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and considering supporting our cause. Together, we can make a difference and bring hope to a family in need.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Nigma