My name is Rawan, and I am from Gaza. I live with my family under circumstances we never imagined we would have to endure. Since the war began, our lives have been turned upside down. We lost our sense of safety, we lost our home, and now we live one day at a time, not knowing what tomorrow will bring.

Every day we hear the sounds of airstrikes and explosions. Every night we go to sleep hoping we will wake up alive. Even the most basic necessities of life have become a daily struggle. Clean water is scarce, food is extremely limited, electricity is almost nonexistent, and medicine has become out of reach for so many people who desperately need it.

The greatest pain in my heart is for my little son, Ghaith. Ghaith has never seen the light of day because he was born blind. He has never seen the sky, the sea, or the faces of his mother and father. He experiences the world only through sounds and touch, yet despite everything around us, he still manages to smile.

All Ghaith wishes for is to feel safe, but even that has become impossible. Whenever he hears the sound of explosions, he trembles with fear without understanding what is happening around him. I try to comfort him and tell him that everything will be alright, while deep inside I fear that I may not be able to protect him. As a mother, there is no greater pain than watching your child suffer while being unable to provide a safe, dignified life or even meet their most basic needs.

We are not asking for luxury or a comfortable life. We simply want to live with dignity. We want to provide food, medicine, and safe shelter for our children, and we hope that Ghaith can receive the care and support he needs to have a better future.

Every donation, no matter how small, can make a real difference in our lives. What may be the cost of a single meal for one person could mean several days of food for our family, essential medicine, or a way to protect our children from hunger and the cold.

If you are unable to donate, sharing our story with others would also mean the world to us. It may reach someone who is able to lend a helping hand.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read our story, and to everyone whose heart holds compassion for a family that is simply trying to survive this devastating war. Your prayers, kindness, and support give us hope that goodness still exists in this world.