Urgent Relief : Help Shadi's Family Evacuate Gaza

Hi, my name is Lorenzo Brown. I am from Dallas, Texas USA. I am a former volunteer instructor with the Gaza Sky Geeks Program. I am running this campaign on behalf of my good friend and former pupil, Shadi Ed. All proceeds will be sent directly to him via Western Union since he is not able to set up an account on his own. I will provide transfer details on every penny of the funds once the campaign closes. I will let Shadi introduce himself below:

Hi

I'm Shadi from Gaza, a young man in his twenties. I recently turned twenty-five in January. I work in the field of software development. I've lived a life filled with mental peace, emotion, energy, and commitment. I had dreams and aspirations, an educational and professional journey I wanted to continue. However, this destructive and brutal war came, shattering my dreams and altering the course of my life to ashes.

I reach out to you with an urgent request amid these challenging circumstances that have drastically changed my life and my family's life. Through sharing our story, I hope we can find support and assistance during these tough times, facing unimaginable hardship.

We endured a horrifying war that left nothing but destruction for 139 terrifying days. The toll of this conflict extends beyond the material world, as it consumes our souls mercilessly. The calm rhythm of our lives was abruptly shattered by the arrival of a devastating war. The symphony of falling rockets, distant and nearby explosions we woke up to on the first day of the war, was a harsh and extremely painful introduction.

My family faced immense difficulties, with the hardest being at the beginning of the war when we received the shocking news of the loss of my sister's husband and their three children. Abdulrahman, Abduljawad, and Layan Abu Ras lost their lives when their home was bombed while they were sleeping peacefully. My sister's resilience amid this tragedy is heavy, and the pain of losing her family in such a tragic way is unimaginable. We are all that she has left.

I don't want to forget my mother's struggles with osteoporosis, aggravated by difficult living conditions and a shortage of necessary medications. This adds another layer of difficulty to an already challenging situation, making overcoming daily struggles of displacement, fear, and danger even harder.

I won't prolong the story. The Israeli army threatened our home and asked us to leave to the southern part of the Gaza Strip. We fled to Rafah, living in a tent without electricity, gas, clean water, or food. The constant displacement in Rafah, searching for clean food whenever available, and the constant quest for a safe haven were part of our reality.

This war didn't just destroy our homeland; it also affected our physical and mental health. As an athlete and software developer, I not only lost my source of income but also my sense of security and comfort. The bombing of my father's factory, our main source of income, rendered us vulnerable and on the brink of collapse.

My transition from a software developer to someone seeking basic necessities like firewood is a stark example of the profound changes that war can bring. The challenges of displacement, rising prices, and difficulty accessing essential resources worsen the difficulties my family faces.

Life in the south, as described, is not just difficult; it is a continuous ordeal. Constant exposure to danger, challenges of displacement, and the spread of diseases due to a lack of vaccines and medicine exacerbate the difficulties we face, forcing us to adapt to an unimaginable life.

The ground invasion approaches the place where I sought refuge these difficult and perilous circumstances, with increasing threats looming at every moment, with a heavy heart, my family and I made the difficult decision to seek refuge through the Rafah crossing – the only way that might lead us to safety.

As you know, leaving Gaza is extremely costly. I rely on your generosity to please donate to my fundraising campaign and share my story with your friends. With your cooperation, it could be a lifeline for my family to escape the clutches of war and pave a new path towards a safe and hopeful future.

My plea is a desperate call for survival and to keep my family intact, a call to escape the imminent danger surrounding us. Every night, I dream of a life free from the horrors of war and an opportunity to rebuild and continue pursuing the aspirations I held just five months ago.

Your contribution is not just aid; it is a beacon of hope in our darkest hours, in these challenging times.

I appreciate your help and support forever. I love you all !

With deep gratitude,

Shadi Aldaya