Ashley Cox

My name is Ashley Cox, I live in the USA. I was connected to Taghreed and Ziad Tamboura through a dear mutual friend. Here is their story in Taghreeds words: My name is Taghreed Rizq Tamboura. I am 36 years old, married, and a mother of four beautiful sons: Murad 16 who loves football and playing cards, Muhammad 15 who loves studying and cooking, Mu’tasim Billah 10 loves playing and is our little entrepreneur and Abdul Rahman 6 who loves to play and already has a sense of style. We live in Gąza and have been displaced ten times. Today, my family and I live in a tent in extremely difficult conditions. Before the war, we lived a simple and stable life in our apartment, which was not huge but it was full of love, warmth, and memories. Although our income was modest, we had everything we needed. I dreamed of studying medicine and I loved to draw. Only five days after the war began, our home was completely bombed. Losing it was heartbreaking. Everything we owned and cherished was gone in a moment. Now 2 years later, our tent offers no protection from the heat or the winter rain. When it rains, the tent floods, and our situation becomes unbearable. It is not safe or secure. My husband, Ziad Muhammad Tamboura, is 42 years old. He used to work buying and selling scrap metal, but now there is no work. Neither of us has any income. We depend entirely on aid and soup kitchens. The food we receive is very limited and not enough. My children ask for meat, vegetables, fruit, and warm clothes, and I cannot provide them. This hurts me deeply, especially for my younger children who do not understand why our circumstances changed. We do not have enough clothing, and winter makes our suffering worse. Despite everything, we try to remain patient and thankful to God, but life has become extremely hard. Gąza has collapsed, and our days are filled with fear, displacement, and exhaustion. We are asking for your help so we can meet our basic needs and give our children food, clothes, and some dignity. Any support can make a real difference in our lives. Thank you for reading our story and for standing with us during this painful time. We send love to everyone who takes the time to see us and shows compassion. May God bless you.

My name is Ashley Cox and I live in the United States. I’ve known Professor Eyad and his family for years and they have become family to me, Here is their story: My name is Professor Eyad Al Banna, and I’ve spent my life as a teacher of Arabic language and social culture. For decades, I’ve dedicated myself to educating young people, helping them grow with knowledge, pride, and purpose. After two years of unimaginable devastation, I’m now on a mission to rebuild education in my community…starting with a simple tent. I’m launching the Gazawi Hope Learning Center, a space where youth can come together to learn, dream, and begin again. This tent will be more than a classroom, it will be a symbol of dignity and hope for a generation that has lost so much. Below are some pictures of precious moments in the classroom with my students before destruction: I spent 40 years working to build a beautiful home for my family. When it was finally completed, it was destroyed four months later. Since then, I’ve been in survival mode, doing everything I can to feed my children, care for my elderly parents, and provide some sense of stability for the people I love. But I am ready now to rebuild; not just for my family, but for the students who still believe in a better future. With your help, I hope to: • Build the Gazawi Hope Learning Center • Provide school supplies and support for my students • Feed and care for my children and elderly parents • Treat my 5 year old son Ahmed, who needs medical care and speech therapy • Pay university tuition for my daughters, and oldest son so they can continue their education My life has always been a struggle, but I’ve never stopped believing in the power of education. Today, I’m asking for your support so I can keep teaching, keep building, and keep giving my community a reason to hope. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference. Help me restore hope in humanity. With love and hope, Professor Eyad Al Banna