A Friend’s Journey from Khuza'a to the Tents:
I first met Mustafa during the brief January 2025 ceasefire. Before the escalation, he was a farmer and beekeeper from the rural village of Khuza’a—a man whose life was dedicated to tending the earth and providing for others. When he finally returned to his village during that short-lived peace, he found his hives destroyed and his livelihood gone.
Since then, Mustafa has been displaced more times than I can count. I have watched him navigate harrowing conditions—living in the mud and waste, mourning the loss of family, and struggling with his own untreated health needs. Yet, through every displacement, his first thought has been for the children and the elderly in his immediate circle. His resilience and character were so profound they inspired my own reversion to Islam and my connection to my local Masjid here in Seattle.
Direct Mutual Aid vs. Donating to an Organization:
The idea for this campaign started with a small, anonymous gift. Because Mustafa is a trusted neighbor who knows how to navigate local markets, he used that initial donation to source fresh chicken for 40 people in his camp. Seeing the life-saving impact of that one meal proved that we don’t need failing systems to make a difference—we just need a direct line to someone who cares.
This direct approach is a necessity born of tragedy. We have seen that "official" channels, like the now-defunct Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), were never truly intended for aid. Instead, these hubs became "death traps"—sites of calculated cruelty where civilians, including Mustafa’s own uncle, were targeted while simply trying to collect meager supplies. With those sites now closed and all major border crossings blocked, many organizations cannot operate as they should, leaving person-to-person mutual aid as a remaining lifeline.
Our Mission: An Initial $1,000 Goal to Assemble Aid Packages for 50 Neighbors:
We are raising $1,000 for a comprehensive survival distribution for 50 people in Mustafa’s immediate camp area.
Survival Packages: We aim to provide whatever is available in the local markets—flour, fresh protein (like the chicken he previously sourced), clean water, vegetables, and hygiene essentials.
Safety & Dignity: By purchasing from small local vendors, Mustafa bypasses the dangerous, militarized zones that have proven fatal in the past. He is not a public figure or a leader; he is a neighbor ensuring his community isn't forgotten.
Focus on Fellowship: This is 100% civilian-to-civilian aid, focused on the simple dignity of a shared meal during a time of extreme scarcity.
Financial Transparency & Accountability.
As a full-time accounting student in Seattle, I personally manage the 100% transparent flow of these funds.
Verified Financial Trail: Funds are processed through my U.S. bank and transferred via a trusted, multi-step pipeline to local exchange offices.
Compliance: This is a strictly humanitarian effort for civilian relief, following all U.S. Treasury (OFAC) guidelines.
Impact Updates: We will post updates with blurred photos to show the food reaching families while strictly protecting their identities and location.
Sidenote: As the campaign treasurer, I maintain a ledger of all donations and transfers. My goal is to ensure your Sadaqah - or voluntary aid - reaches those in need with maximum efficiency and total transparency.
