My name is Shorouq, a 26-year-old graphic designer from Gaza.

Before October 7, I was living a peaceful and fulfilling life with my family. I had a promising career, a warm home, and dreams I was working hard to achieve. But in one moment, everything was taken away.

When the war began, we were forced to flee our beloved home in northern Gaza on foot. We carried nothing with us except water and bread to keep us going. We’ve been displaced eight times, moving from house to house, and finally to a small overcrowded room in Rafah. We live in constant fear, without access to food, clean water, or medical care.

My family’s suffering is beyond words:

• Our home, my brother’s and sister’s homes—all destroyed.

• We lost my uncle’s entire family and my aunt’s family in bombings.

• All of my work equipment, personal memories, and essential files were lost.

• My 20-year-old sister Shahad lost all her belongings and is unable to continue her studies in interior engineering.

• My younger siblings, Baraa (16) and Janan (10), are without education or safety.

We are trapped, unable to leave due to the unaffordable cost of evacuation, and we have no source of income. I write this at 3 AM, in the darkness of despair, holding onto hope that this message might reach compassionate hearts.

All I ask for is a chance to rebuild, to help my family survive and find safety.

Your donation, no matter how small, could save our lives.

We need help to afford food, water, shelter, and eventually the ability to escape this nightmare.

Please, help me protect my family and rebuild the life that was taken from us.

From my heart to yours,

Thank you.

— Shorouq