Hello, my name is Don, and I am a retired educator living in the state of Montana, USA. I am organizing this fundraiser at the request of my dear friend, Omar Shomar, whom I’ve known now for almost 6 years. During this time, we have grown close and shared many joys and sorrows—albeit, at a distance. He will tell his story in his own words below, but I want to add that he is an amazing young man of great integrity and persistence—devoted son, fine teacher loved by his students, kind and courageous in the face of horrific conditions. Twice he risked his life to get from Turkey to Greece, nearly drowning in one attempt. He is exceedingly humble and would not be making this plea if it were not for the desperate situation in which his family finds itself. I will leave it now to Omar to speak.

Dear Supporters,

My name is Omar, and I am reaching out to you from Greece on behalf of my family, who are facing unimaginable hardship back in Gaza, Palestine.

Eight months ago, I made the difficult decision to leave Gaza in search of safety and opportunity. However, the reality is far from what I had hoped for. Every moment, I am haunted by the knowledge that my loved ones are enduring unspeakable suffering. As an English teacher, I had dreamed of imparting knowledge and shaping young minds. But now, my days are consumed by worry and fear for the safety of my family. They are caught in the crossfire of a devastating war, trapped in Deir El Balah without enough food or shelter to survive.

My family consists of nine alive members, including seven adults and two minors, each with their own dreams and aspirations. Tragically, on the 21st of October 2023, I lost two of my older brothers and a beloved niece to the horrors of war. Their memories haunt me, driving me to do everything in my power to protect the rest of my family. The specter of an Israeli invasion draws nearer with each passing day, and I refuse to stand idly by and watch as my family suffers. That's why I am turning to you for help. I have launched this GoFundMe campaign in a desperate bid to save my family from the brink of despair.

Your generous donations will provide us with the means to escape the violence and find safety in a new land. With your support, we can rebuild our lives and create a future free from the horrors of war. Please, I implore you, do not let my family become another statistic of this senseless conflict. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to safety. And if you are unable to contribute financially, please consider sharing our campaign with your friends, family, and social networks. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your compassion and generosity. May your kindness shine a light of hope in our darkest hour.

With deepest gratitude,

Omar Shomar

If you are willing to make a donation—any amount is helpful—I will collect the funds in my bank account here and forward them to Omar’s bank account in Greece. (At this time, GoFundMe cannot send directly to an account in Greece.) When the time is right, he will then pay to register his family with the Ya Hala agency in Cairo, which arranges for the exit permits for Gazans.

Fundraising Goal: $47,000

$5,000 /person (9 members) payable to Ya Hala agency

$2,000 to cover GoFundMe transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30/donation)

N.B.: In the event that sufficient funds are not raised to allow even one family member to escape, Omar will do his best to route the funds to his family in Gaza to help them survive as best they can.

I thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide. Just knowing that there are people on the outside who haven't forgotten them and who care deeply for their safety means so much. Please feel free to share this campaign with others. I will keep you posted on latest developments.

--Don

P.S. In the photo at the top of the page it is Omar's brother Naser who is pictured amidst the ruins. Omar is pictured below his story.

The Shomar home, bombed on October 21st.

Brothers Naser, Abdullah and Ameer.