Hey there fellow Tumblr community, My name is Katie and I am an artist and maker based in Los Angeles, California. I wanted to come onto this platform that I have been a part of for just 10 years now..and though I do not have many followers, I still hope to reach you today as you are reading this.
I pray that you will view these infographics I created regarding the current fundraiser I am running for my friend @balsamibrahim, who is in critical need of generous contributions to her new fund in order to repair and rehabilitate her family's home.
Balsam and her family live in Zeitoun, Gaza. The area in which they live is part of a historical corridor in Gaza, and Zeitoun means "Quarter of Olive Trees". Their home on Al-Jalaa street is in need of critical repairs to the exterior and interior, due to the bombardments that occurred directly in the vicinity and immediately next door to their home.
**Home repairs are consisting of clearing out rubble, cleaning, repairing walls, doors, parts of the home's structure, windows, as well purchasing supplies and tools for anything that can be upgraded of their current belongings within the home, and anything which needs to be accessed or replaced for the purpose of cooking, cleaning, bathing, sleeping, sitting, eating, all donations collected by Katie McRaven are on behalf of Balsam Ibrahim to fundraise for the rehabilitation needs for their family home**
We hope that you will see this blog post and understand the immense needs of this family in restoring their home to a level of safety, security, and comfort that allows the Ibrahim family rest and healing.
Please visit the link to our fundraising campaign site, and share the story of Balsam's family via reblog, direct message to a friend or family member, or by sharing this link on your other social media profiles.
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March 5th, 2025 - Ibrahim Family Home Rehabilitation UPDATE
Dear Reader,
I hope that you will take a moment out of your day to sit with and read the message I have written for any viewer who accesses this fundraising page.
My name is Katie, I started this campaign as a way to achieve contributions for my friend Balsam and her family. Balsam lives in North Gaza, specifically in the district of Zeitoun... Her family of 11 did not see their home for over a year, having to run for their lives, seeking shelter wherever they could secure it, surviving on little to nothing for the needs of the entire family, existing in various states of suffering, grief and fear about what their lives would look like every day, or if a future may be at all possible for them. Despite countless displacements and harrowing moments, their family survived and returned to their home at the end of January. Thankfully, the home's structure remained standing, although serious damages occurred which deem some parts of it completely unlivable.
To be able to return to your home after so much time away must be such a relief, but the realities of life have set in for Balsam's family, and she relates to me that their home now tells a story of suffering and grief as well.
Currently, the family is working to clear out so much rubble and debris that exists in every corner of their abode. The top floors are destroyed from bombardments; ceilings completely gone, exposed rebar and concrete instead. During the holy month of Ramadan, there is still a feeling that celebration is inaccesible or interrupted; anxiety and grief are present due to the lack of available goods such as food, water, and other supplies. There is no question that some materials are hard to access at this time due to blockages of aid and supplies, yet the ultimate barrier to the family is in fact access to funding for the restoration at all.
With your generous help, we able to get the family the mandatory assistance that they need. Importantly, by achieving our monthly funding goal of $1000, we can distrubute aid to the family so that they are ultimately given back comfort, shelter, and security once again!
Thank you so much for your time in reading my message. I hope that everyone can give just a little bit to help my friend @balsamibrahim . We cannot begin to grasp what they have gone through during those 15 months, so rallying behind the efforts to make their home a place of peace and health, rather than one of hard memories and pain would be immensely beneficial to the family's livelihood. I pray that we can help make their Ramadan one of joy and respite, and that ease comes to them during this time of reflection, prayer, and community.
May you be well in your many days, and may we all unite in helping the Ibrahim family in their many days as well!
- Katie
