Newsletter from Gaza - January 2026 |
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Hello, how has the beginning of the new year been for you?
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| | | Wishing you, your family, and loved ones a happy, healthy, and joyful 2026.
May you always have the inspiration, passion, and courage needed for your next steps and to achieve your goals and dreams
May
you always have a community of people who watch your back and support
you when you need it, and who you help when they need you.
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| | For
many of us, the new year began with a celebration: dancing into the new
year, a special dinner with family and friends, and watching fireworks.
Many of us made New Year’s resolutions and envisioned what we want to
achieve in 2026.
These celebrations and practices are wonderful; they give us joy and strength as we are inspired to make new visions a reality. |
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As
the world seemed to get “crazier” and more “chaotic” in recent years, I
am sure that many of us also shared a wish for economic stability, more
justice, and global peace.
While
we seem to be further from a peaceful and just world than ever before,
let’s keep the trust and believe that WE can make a difference. | | |
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New Year in Gaza | The calendar change did not translate into a change in reality in Gaza.
I
have to admit I was helpless and clumsy when I tried to wish my friends
in Gaza a happy New Year. While I imagine the new year as a “white
canvas” on which I can draw a new picture, I know that my friends in
Gaza neither have the liberty nor the privilege to self-govern and
self-determine their lives. 2026 starts as 2025 ended, with a struggle for survival. |
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Thank you for your support in 2025! | As
I felt helpless in the face of the significant needs in Gaza, I was
blessed to find friends who supported me in the launch of this
initiative: Healing For Humanity.
Since June 2025,
we have shared updates from Gaza with all of you: personal stories and
needs from families with whom I am in constant communication.
Your donations have reached people in Gaza directly and made an impact on many families’ lives.
| Thanks to you-
we collected €11,064 (approximately $12,932) over the past 6 months in 2025. | With this money, Mohammed, Mahmoud, and Sami could purchase large, waterproof tents for their families, providing essential protection during their displacement. We helped Sami repair a solar device to power a water pump, ultimately enabling 3,000 people in his community to access clean drinking water. Our contribution helped Mohammed offer baby formula at his community pharmacy for free, assisting newborns to survive, especially for families with no money. We supported Daren in her Pharmacology studies by paying her university fees for one term. We helped Sami pay for the penicillin injection that his sister needs to survive monthly. At times, when needs were greatest, we assisted Fatima and Ameen in buying essential supplies for their families. |
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December donations provided warmth and showed care We received €500 in December and sent the money (after bank deductions) to Sami.
Sami
and his family have lived in a tent since 8 October 2023. After moving 9
times since then, they now own only essential items. After recent
storms destroyed their tent and flooding spread throughout the camp, the
family urgently needed winter clothes. While prices for some food have
eased slightly since the ceasefire, winter clothing, especially for
children, has remained expensive.
Current market prices:
While
prices seem reasonable compared to the market prices in many of the
countries we live in, the costs are horrendous for a population that
lived through a 2-year genocide, without any source of income, and a
high pre-war dependency on NGO/ UNRWA due to the occupation. - one pair of men’s trousers: about 100 shekels (32USD)
- jacket: 150 shekels (48 USD)
- Winter tops: range from 80 to 100 shekels (25 – 32 USD)
- Shoes: 100 and 150 shekels (32- 48 USD)
Sammi took good care of his family and bought warm clothes for his younger sisters and himself. |
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 | Hala’s
dark brown winter sweatpants and jacket together cost 170 shekels (55
USD). They not only provide warmth but also look beautiful on her, which
is important.
Sami purchased winter clothes, including jackets and shoes, for his sisters Aline and Raghad, and trousers for himself. |
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|  | For the lovely 6-year-old Sereen, Sami purchased sweatpants, a black turtleneck, and winter shoes.
The
remaining $100 Sami used to complete the payment for the December dose
of penicillin for Sereen, which cost $270 at that time. |
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Every time I look at Sereen’s and Hala’s smiles, my heart melts
If
you are interested in more details, please check the website where we
publish previous newsletters with pictures and stories what we did with
the money. We did not just send money, but we showed that we care! |
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People in Gaza need us in 2026 Even
though there has been a ceasefire deal in place since 10 October 2025,
attacks continue, people are injured and killed, and not sufficient aid
is allowed to enter Gaza. The healthcare system is nearly completely
destroyed, as medicine and medical equipment are blocked. People are
malnourished, and while many items are available on the market, they are
either not nutritious (such as chocolate and cookies) or horrendously
expensive.
About
85 to 90% of housing and infrastructure is destroyed, and most people
live in tents. Shelter material and mobile houses are waiting at the
border, ready to be delivered to people in need; however, the entry into
Gaza is blocked.
Winter
has started, and many of us have seen horrific scenes on the news:
tents are blown away by the storm or washed away by floodwaters, leaving
families wet and in the cold. Children barefoot in puddles, holding on
to their tents and a few belongings, while they have lost everything
already. |
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Please donate: One computer can change the lives of many people
With
the beginning of the new year, also Sami has one big dream: he wants to
complete his studies. His goal is to use his skills to help his
community make farming and daily life easier, more efficient, and
sustainable through technology. He is in his second year of computer
engineering with a focus on cybersecurity and always aims to get the
highest marks. |
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Shortly after his studies began in autumn 2023, his in-person classes were moved online as the war erupted.
Since
then, studying has been very challenging. Sammy has been displaced nine
times in the last two years and has lived in a tent since 8 October
2023. As the eldest son, he takes care of the family's needs.
Many
of us know how difficult online studies can be. It requires strong
self-discipline, a reliable Internet connection, and a computer that
supports the needed programs and tasks.
Sami is very focused, disciplined, and diligent, which is admirable!
The Internet connection is unstable and often breaks down on rainy and stormy days
An additional significant barrier is the computer Sami is currently using.
Until
now, Sami has used his father’s computer, as he never had the privilege
to even think about getting his own laptop due to the costs involved.
However, this computer is outdated and frequently freezes because it
cannot run the software required by Sami's university.
On the 10th
of January, Sami has an essential exam. As a prerequisite, he must
complete hours of online coursework and practice before that deadline.
Unfortunately, his father’s computer could not support the required
programs, and Sami got stuck.
Just
a few days ago, Sami convinced one of his father’s friends, who sells
computers, to give him a Computer on a small pre-payment. Now, Sammy
spends most of his days catching up with courses and practical work, as
the deadline approaches quickly
However, $800 of the payment is still outstanding.
This
is in addition to the family's daily cost of living, the ongoing
repairs to the tents, and the medication his sister needs to survive. But without successful studies and a university degree, the future will not be better than the present.
Let’s help Sami buy-off his computer so he can focus on and accelerate in his studies.
Thank you! |
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Its on us, the people.
Let's stand up for humanity! Our support and voices save lives.
We are the millions!
And we can make the change.
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| | Donation options:(please contact Luna if you have challenges in sending your donation) Europe, including Turkiye (papara) BUT not in Switzerland. | | | Worldwide, via Paypal, to admin@healingforhumanity.world | | | Direct Transfer - from anywhere (additional costs may apply) follow the below Bank details | Bank Details: Iyad Kaddoura IBAN: NL25 BUNQ 2156 3667 48 BIC: BUNQNL2A
You can also use the button below.
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This
newsletter is published in English and German. Please subscribe to the
newsletter, mention the language(s) you would like to receive, or
contact Luna at Luna@healingforhumanity.world | | |
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Dr. Luna Mehrain supported by: Felix van Loon (IT) Iyad Kaddoura (Finance) |
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