John, thank you for caring so much about the life-changing work we do for children and families across the world in crisis.
I work on the IRC's supporter engagement team, and was touched by this story of Heba from Gaza. I wanted to share it with you because your support helps children and families like hers, who are facing unimaginable suffering.
Heba is a 15 year old girl who has been displaced 10 times in the past year.
"I used to go to school to learn. I used to go out with my friends. My life before the war, I was learning, going to school, going out with my friends, studying, going on family outings." - Heba, Gaza
When Heba was not in school, she would engage in her favorite hobby—poetry. She would recite poetry for her friends, who would film her and post the videos on the internet for all to hear her voice.
Growing up, she had a high GPA, was set to graduate and planned to major in science and medicine.
As the war escalated in Gaza, Heba's life changed abruptly when she and her family were forced to evacuate their home after a bombing destroyed it.
Heba (right), makes tea with her parents outside of their tent.
With no immediate end in sight for the crisis, Heba has been attending psychosocial sessions for adolescent girls run by the IRC's local partner organization, Nafs.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Nafs offer training, awareness sessions and recreational activities to help nurture the mental well-being of violence and war-affected children.
Heba joined a recent Mobile Community Center along with other displaced girls.
"They started planting positive energy inside us and releasing negative energy. They gave us optimism and hope, and they brought the girls together." - Heba in Gaza, about the IRC and Nafs Mobile Community Center
Heba and the group of girls have found a sense of solidarity while coping with the extreme difficulties they are facing at this moment. Knowing they are not alone in enduring the war has been helpful.
The conflict-induced humanitarian suffering in Gaza is catastrophic, but thanks to supporters like you, the IRC is on the ground helping children and families in crisis.
We've partnered with nine organizations to deliver early childhood development, child protection, women's protection and empowerment, health, nutrition and basic needs.
Rush your emergency gift for children and families in Gaza and around the world who are facing conflict and crisis. >>
The IRC continues to call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire as the only way to protect Palestinian lives, secure the release of the remaining hostages, and safely and adequately scale up humanitarian assistance and service delivery.
Thank you for all you do for children and families in need,
Simon @ International Rescue Committee
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