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Final Update: Closing Our Fundraising Page for Gaza Relief

  • Gratitude and Resilience

      26 October 2024

    Kia ora once again,

    To everyone reading this message, thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing with us. Your donations have provided crucial assistance, helping to keep my remaining family members from starving day and night. We have been using these funds to secure basic necessities, including food and medical supplies, providing a lifeline in these desperate times. Yet, we understand that individual efforts alone cannot resolve the broader issues at hand. The world has, in many ways, turned a blind eye to the horrors unfolding in Gaza, and it weighs heavily on our hearts.

    As we navigate this challenging journey, we will continue to thrive with what we have left. We may feel as though we have nothing, but it is often from this very nothingness that a journey of hope begins. We will draw strength from our collective resilience and the hope that fuels our spirit. While we may face adversity, we remain committed to our identity and values, carrying forward the memories of those we have lost. Together, we will find a way to persevere, turning our pain into purpose.

    To those in New Zealand who we once thought were our family but have since distanced themselves: as Palestinians, we possess the strength of a mountain, the patience of a camel traversing the desert, and a hope that knows no bounds. Distance may grow, yet our unity remains strong.

    Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support has meant everything.

    He waka eke noa – We are all in this together

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    • 29/10/2024 by William

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  • A Difficult Decision

      26 October 2024
    Main image

    Dear Supporters,

    As we reach this difficult moment, I write to you with a heavy heart. The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, and after much consideration, we have decided to close this fundraising page. It has become increasingly clear that the funds raised will not suffice to reunite our family members with their loved ones here in New Zealand, nor will they help rebuild the tens of homes destroyed in Gaza that have left my family living in tents and enduring inhumane conditions.

    After 365 days, our government has yet to facilitate our reunion, and at the international level, there has been a disappointing lack of clarity and action regarding the war occurring in my homeland. Each day brings new heartache and loss—countless loved ones taken from us, childhood homes and schools reduced to rubble, and the very landmarks of Gaza rendered unrecognisable. We have lost teachers, close family members, and childhood friends as well as the support of many whom we once considered family here in New Zealand. The weight of these losses is felt deeply, and it is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the bonds we hold dear.

    In closing this page, we are not only acknowledging the limitations of our efforts but also the ongoing plight of those still suffering. The struggle to secure safety and basic necessities for my remaining family members is a daily battle, and your support has provided a vital lifeline in these dark times.

    Cousin, Nour featured in image above

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