Hi,

Join me in extending our support to Mahmoud and Yasmine Rjila, their three children (Sanad 3, Omar 5, and Rahaf 7), and their expected baby, Rakan, during these trying times in Gaza.

I'm MC, a video creator based in San Francisco who began making content about Palestine after Oct 7. In February 2024, I connected with Mahmoud and Yasmine, parents of three from Gaza, on Instagram. At that time, they were displaced in Rafah after losing their home in Khan Yunis, first to bombings and then to military bulldozers.

As of August 2024, Mahmoud and his family have been displaced over ten times, losing everything in their efforts to escape. Just yesterday, Mahmoud had to dig through rubble to find old clothes. He has narrowly escaped bombings and lost many family members. It’s heartbreaking to see a familiar face on the news.

My connection with Mahmoud began with text conversations using translation tools. We ended up having a video chat, which changed me forever - I would've never been able to believe one day I'll put my cats on video chat with children in the war zone. Mahmoud guided me through his tent, sharing pixelated glimpses of his family and their daily life. He doesn't speak English and I don't speak Arabic. We just watched each other, in silence, and communicated using sign languages we invented on the spot. His youngest child Sanad was crying at first, but immediately smiled after he saw my cat. We sat in front of our phone screens in silent. There's no sound but kids giggling.

I'm starting this fundraiser with a simple yet urgent goal: to help Mahmoud and his family survive and ensure his pregnant wife, Yasmine, can access the medical care and essential nutrients she needs. With baby Rakan expected in six months, their need for support is critical. We've dared to envision a future where we could see each other in Palestine or even my home in China. Please make a difference to Mahmoud and his family by donating to them.

Given the high cost of living in Gaza, I aim to raise at least $3,000 per month for Mahmoud, Yasmine, and potentially their extended family. In their current situation, basic items like a bottle of shampoo cost $22—more expensive than in San Francisco. This support will help cover their daily needs, particularly food and clothing. They’ve lost everything in recent evacuations and are in urgent need of essentials, especially clothes, to help the children get through the cold nights in nylon tents.

-----Here's more photos and videos of this family's current living situation-----

Sanad's wet clothes after the rain got into their tents in an early morning. May 2024.

Me & Mahmoud at a solidarity art sale, Aug 2024.

They have been giving away the donations they received for themselves to people in need. May 2024.

A screenshot of Sanad, Omar, and my cat. Feb 2024.

Their home in Khan Yunis was destroyed in November 2023. After the bombing, Mahmoud's cousin returned to live in the damaged building in April. Tragically, just on the next day, the building was bombed again, and he was martyred.

The necessities they managed to buy in February 2024 are now gone. With your help, they can get these essential items again.

---- Some photos of the children's life before & after the war -----

This is Rahaf. She's 7 years old and likes drawing.

Omar is 5 and likes animals. He asks me to buy him a bird when the war ends.

Baby Sanad is 3. He is the biggest fan of my cats.

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All donations will go directly to Mahmoud Rjila and his family to purchase essential items for their survival. I estimate that $3,000 per month will be needed to cover their basic needs.

Thank you for taking the time to read and considering donating. Feel free to reach out to me via Gofundme to ask questions directly about the Rjila family.

In Solidarity,

MC