I am Suad from Gaza, 25 years old, mother of a 3-year-old boy. We were living a happy life. I worked in the maternity ward at Al-Sahaba complex, and my husband had an office that gave English lessons so that we could provide the best life for our only son.
At the age of two, we discovered that he had thyroid problems. We tried hard with more than one doctor, but to no avail. We planned to receive treatment abroad, but the war came and shattered all our dreams. I lost my home and my husband’s job. We came out from under the rubble unconscious, as my uncle and his wife were killed. My husband stayed to take care of his injured, bedridden brother. I fled south on foot with my child into the unknown. I knew no one and had no shelter. One of my colleagues gave me part of his tent. Then came the biggest nightmare, which was that my child was infected with the Hepatitis C virus, which caused his spleen to enlarge and required surgery. Due to the closure ofthe crossings, the lack of medical equipment and the high costs, it became difficult for me to pay for the operation. Here I sat, patted myself on the back, and left with tears in my eyes. I didn't know what to do! You are my hope now.
I live in constant fear, my greatest wish became to save my child from death, I began to live with the obsession of losing him or losing myself. We live in a life that is not ours. I ask you to help me and all my hope is in you not to leave me.
We were displaced multiple times. We managed thanks to your generous donations to obtain a tent. The conditions we live in are appallig - there is no sanitation. The place stinks urine and feces. We have nowhere to wash, no clean water to drink
January update
January 31st, 2025 by Eva Bianco, Organizer Hi everyone. Omar has received an operation which went well, and he's under treatment and on the way to recovery. Please continue to support Soad and Omar, as he still needs to take medicine and they have returned to the north of Gaza, where everything has been destroyed. They need your support to buy medicine and food, please I hope you still keep them in your heart.
December 24 update
December 9th, 2024 by Eva Bianco, Organizer 09/12/2024 - Hi everyone, here is Eva, the organiser. Having recently passed the 2K mark, both Soad and I wanted to spend a few words to thank every person who helped her reach this important goal. Every donation so far, big or small, has been instrumental in supporting Soad to buy medicine for Omar, to provide food and shelter, and the most basic necessities they need to keep surviving in the refugee camp in Gaza. While the occupation advances and makes even buying flour a difficult mission, Soad is taking care of her son in any way she can. Omar is currently receiving intravenous treatment for Hepatitis, furthermore he needs to receive an endoscopy operation to find out the cause of his enlarged spleen and take a sample of the marrow. However, this operation can only take place once Soad has collected the amount required to pay for it, as the hospital won't allow otherwise. We will give you further updates as we go, but in the meanwhile, again, accept our deepest and most heartfelt thank you for all the support received so far, and we hope you'll be able to keep Soad and Omar in your hearts for a bit longer.