When Survival Becomes the Only Dream: Lend a Hand

My name is Jawad Saleem

I am a husband and father to four beautiful children. My family also includes my dear mother, my sister, and my brother. Like so many others, I had a dream—a dream of building a better life for my family. Three years ago, with the grace of God and the unwavering support of my late father, who was my biggest supporter, we established a small sanitary ware business. This business wasn’t just our source of income; it became the heartbeat of our family and provided livelihoods for 30 other families. We were overjoyed watching our dreams slowly take shape. We even built our future home, where we hoped to create countless memories.

But in the blink of an eye, all of that was gone.

War erupted and ripped away everything we had spent years building. Our company, which symbolized our hopes and our children's future, was destroyed. We lost everything—our investments, our efforts, and most painfully, we lost my father in this cursed war. My father, who gave his life to secure a future for us, is no longer here. His loss has left a void in my heart and in our lives that can never be filled. I can still hear his voice in my mind, telling me to keep going, but without him, it feels impossible.

As if that wasn’t enough, our home was targeted, and everything we owned was stolen. We were forced to flee, leaving behind our lives in the north of Gaza to find safety in the south. Now, we live in makeshift tents, without basic necessities like electricity, safety, or the comforts of a home. Every day is a battle against fear and uncertainty. Six months have passed since this nightmare began, and we have been left without work, without an income, and without a clear path forward.

With a heavy heart, I turn to you for help. I am hoping, with your kindness, to open a small shop to support my family and provide essential medical care for my mother. We are in dire need of financial assistance to meet our most basic needs—food, water, medicine, and clothing. Every act of generosity, no matter how small, is a light in this darkness. Your support can give us hope, a chance to rebuild, and a reminder that even in the most devastating of times, humanity and compassion can still prevail.

From the depths of my heart, thank you for any help you can offer during this incredibly difficult time