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Urgent update from Ameera in Gaza
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Hi Reader, It’s been quiet around here because I’ve been working behind the scenes to a boring, detailed tech project. It will save me a lot on business expenses, but I'm so glad to be almost finished with it! I'll have a brand new children's book list for you next Tuesday that you won't want to miss. I've also been quite busy volunteering with Coffees for Gaza, a mutual aid effort that raises funds and awareness for 25 families in Gaza. One of those 25 families is Ameera Skaik's. Many of you have generously supported her in the past year as her family has endured their home being destroyed and terrible malnutrition. This morning I received an urgent update from Ameera. As Israel has escalated its terrifying attacks on Gaza City and ordered the immediate evacuation of 1 million people, Ameera and her three children expect to be displaced at any moment. They have been displaced several times after their original home was destroyed in a bombing, but it was always to the home of another relative. This time, they have no other option than moving into a tent, which they still need to purchase. Ameera's family need to quickly raise a minimum of $3,000 to:
Ameera has been fearing this displacement for some time now. A few weeks ago she wrote me a message, telling me "We are tired of displacement, and we are exhausted psychologically, physically, and financially. I wish I had wings to fly and take my family away." I know that so many of you, like me, wish that you could give Ameera those wings. While you and I cannot get her evacuated from Gaza, there are several things we can do to support her: 1) Donate any amount to Ameera's GoFundMe. Every dollar truly does make a difference. 2) Shop my Knits for Gaza fundraiser. All proceeds (minus shipping costs and credit card fees) go directly to Ameera. I've added lots of new items recently, including produce bags, Halloween-themed hats, scarves, washclothes, and adorable dinosaur stuffies by my friend Julia. 3) If you or your kids enjoy creating activist art of any kind, join Coffees for Gaza's Peactober art challenge. All October long, artists, crafters, writers, and creatives of all kinds are invited to respond to daily art prompts in solidarity with families in Gaza. When the challenge wraps up, participants can choose to offer any items they've made for an auction to benefit our families. Download the list of daily Peacetober prompts here. xo, Rebekah
Rebekah Gienapp (she/her/hers) | rebekahgienapp.com | Connect on Instagram | Coffees for Gaza | |
Raising antiracist kids
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