This is Aya’s urgent appeal for shelter to help save her four children from the elements as winter approaches in Gaza
“Mama, when will we return home?” ask Aya’s four children, who have been displaced more than six times, relocating between north and south Gaza at Israel’s command.
Each time they are forced to move, they lose more of their belongings and even more hope. The children carry only what their little hands can hold.
They desperately seek safety, but there is none and Aya carries the weight of the world on her shoulders as she tries to protect, feed and reassure the children.
She describes it as the most difficult pain a mother can bear.
Her home – the family’s only shelter – was destroyed by the occupation. Since then, they have been forced to endure a living hell under the harshest of circumstances.
Aya struggles to answer the children’s questions because, as yet, there are no answers. There is no solution and no way out. And there are no guarantees when it comes to food, water or shelter.
All the family can do is flee the bombing, but the sound of shelling never leaves them.
“Each time we’re displaced, we leave behind what’s left of our belongings,” says Aya.
“We move in constant fear and sadness. There’s no home to protect us, no food to fill us up, and no medicine for my children if they get sick.”
Aya’s son suffers from a skin condition which results in painful abscesses. The family has no choice but to lance the lumps themselves, taking care not to cause an infection since there are little to no antibiotics available in Gaza.
“I feel helpless when I see my children crying from the cold, pain and hunger. I have nothing to offer them except my embrace. Even this is no longer enough to protect them from the cruelty of life here.
“Please help us if you can,” begs Aya. “All I want is to keep my children safe. I can’t bear to lose them too. We are holding on only through the mercy of kind hearts.
“We would be eternally grateful if you could spare a word, prayer or donation.
“Every hand extended to us could save my children’s lives and restore a glimmer of hope in the midst of this darkness.
“We need to leave Gaza City as soon as possible. Help me get my children to a safe area.”
A small donation could help save Aya and the children’s lives. They are in constant need of food and shelter.
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