Imagine being part of a large family trapped in a war zone, forced to confront an impossible choice: who will have the chance to escape to safety, and who will be left behind.
The heartbreaking truth is this: once separated, thereās no guarantee you will ever be reunited.
This is not a scene from a movie or a distant taleāthis is devastating reality for 14-year-old Sahar Shehab and her family in Gaza.
Story written by @rumiandroses
The Shehabs have been displaced over 15 times due to the relentless violence and destruction in Gaza. Their homeātheir sanctuaryāhas been reduced to rubble, and their days are now a fight for survival.
Saharās family includes her parents, Fahed ( @fahed-2 ) and Reem ( @reem-reem-1 ), her three younger siblingsāDana, Mona, and Malakāand her baby brother, Yahya, who is only 2 years old. Adding to their challenges, her elderly grandmother Mona, aged 60, and her aunt's family of five are also part of their unit.
Together, this group of 13 individuals has faced unimaginable trials. Most heartbreaking is that Iman, the youngest in their extended family, was born into the chaos of war just five months ago, her fragile start to life marred by cold nights, sickness, and hunger.
Currently, the Shehabs are living in a makeshift tent in deplorable conditions. The harsh winter is unbearable, with no adequate protection against the rain or freezing temperatures. Their tent offers no shield from the cold, no access to clean water, and barely enough food to keep them alive. Sahar recounts the constant illnesses plaguing her siblings and the immense difficulty of finding basic necessities like baby formula and diapers for the youngest children.
Despite their hardships, the Shehabs remain united and determined. However, they are now faced with an excruciating choice. With limited funds raised for evacuation, only a few family members may be able to leave Gaza if the border opens. Fahed is prepared to stay behind with his sister and her family, potentially sacrificing his chance to reunite with his children and wife, Reem. This impossible decision is tearing the family apart, as thereās no guarantee they will ever be together again if they are separated.
The Shehabs urgently need financial support to evacuate all 13 family members and rebuild their lives in safety. The evacuation cost is overwhelmingāapproximately $5,400 USD per person, totaling $70,200. Additional funds are required for basic living expenses, medical care, and temporary shelter during the waiting period.
Every dollar raised will directly contribute to providing this family with the chance to escape the constant danger they face and rebuild a future free from fear.
Your donation can keep this family together and ensure that Sahar, her siblings, and her cousins grow up in a world where they can dream, thrive, and simply be children again.
Every dollar raised will directly contribute to providing this family with the chance to escape the constant danger they face and rebuild a future free from fear. Your donation can keep this family together and ensure that Sahar, her siblings, and her cousins grow up in a world where they can dream, thrive, and simply be children again.
You can donate to the Shehab Family GoFundMe, [HERE].
This campaign has been vetted by The Butterfly Effect Project, and is #764 on their list of vetted campaigns.
