This is an emergency fundraiser for the Al-Saidi family from Gaza, currently trying to survive in Egypt without any resources or support network.
Hello! My name is Mari, and I'm based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. I currently run several GoFundMe campaigns for individuals and families from Gaza. I'm raising money for the Al-Saidi family, who was fortunate to evacuate Gaza but have struggled to survive in Egypt since their evacuation. Their situation is very desperate and they urgently need your help. Please read on and consider supporting this family's campaign.
I am in touch with the Al-Saidi family through the mother, Anwar. I met Anwar through her brother, Omar Al-Sharif, for whom I also run a GoFundMe campaign. Anwar is in Egypt with her five children, but unfortunately, her husband was unable to evacuate with them due to lack of sufficient money to pay the evacuation fees. Because of this, Anwar has had to rely on her young son to work menial jobs to bring in any income for their survival, while she takes care of the young children. They are behind on their rent and at risk of eviction, and due to the fact that the Egyptian government doesn't grant residency to Palestinians who have evacuated Gaza, this adds further restrictions and hardships, and severely limits what resources and opportunities are available to Palestinians.
Please read Anwar's story, in her own words:
My name is Anwar Al-Saidi, a mother of five children: Mohammed, Malak, Faris, Saqr, and Mahmoud. We lived a simple and comfortable life in Rafah. My husband Khaled was a struggling yet successful man. He owned 3 shops in Rafah, which were our source of income that provided us with a decent life. We lived in safety, and our children laughed and played at home. Khaled always used to tell me: "The most important thing is that my children live well and do not lack anything."
But the war came and destroyed everything. In one moment, we lost our home and our three shops, which were all we had. The streets we knew became squares filled with destruction and fear. The sounds of laughter were replaced by the sounds of explosions, and we lived in constant terror.
In the midst of all this tragedy, my children and I decided to leave for Egypt to protect them from death. Khaled sold everything he owned to ensure that we could leave. But he couldn’t travel with us due to lack of money. He tried to ease my pain, but his words were filled with sadness. He told me, “You go with the children, and I will wait for the day when we can meet again.”
Now my children and I live in a small room in a popular area in Egypt. Life here is very difficult. We try to adapt, but the daily expenses, rent, and the children’s needs are beyond my ability. The rent we pay is barely enough, and the house we live in is not fit for living. The bathroom is inside the room, the atmosphere here is full of humidity, and the walls are dilapidated. There is no privacy, and everything seems broken. My children do not go to school due to financial circumstances, and my eldest son had to work for meager wages that may not even be enough to pay the rent. After living in luxury and safety, they have become responsible for more than their age just so we can survive.
As for Khaled, he is still in Gaza, living among the rubble. Every time we talk, he tries to appear strong, but he suffers alone. He moves from one place to another in search of safety, but Gaza is all in ruins. He tells me: "The hardest thing for me is that I am far from you and I cannot do anything for you."
What do we need?
1. Buy a new house: Our house in Rafah was completely destroyed, and we dream of a small, safe house that will bring us together again as a family.
2. Send the children back to school: My children are deprived of education due to the circumstances. I dream of them returning to school so they can have a better future.
3. Pay the rent due in Egypt: We are currently living in a rented room and there are arrears that must be paid.
4. Providing a decent life: We need to secure basic needs such as food, clothing and daily expenses.
5. Rebuilding our livelihood: My husband owned 3 shops in Rafah, and they are now destroyed. We aspire to rebuild at least one shop to be our livelihood again.
I appeal to you to extend a helping hand to us.
We are a family living in harsh conditions and only dream of stability and security. Khaled is a struggling person and I need him by my side. I dream of a decent life for my children, a home that brings us together again, and a future far from fear and war.
Please help us... so we can start over.
I have set up a dedicated bank account for this family, and all money collected will be held in this account until requested by the family. Upon request, funds will be transferred to them via their preferred money transfer service, wire transfer or Western Union.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
