Newsletter 2 - Help for Gaza 

If you feel like we do- then you might be frequently on the side of tiredness and exhaustion. With the daily news about the pain of so many people, and knowing that none of our international mechanisms work to prevent a genocide- we feel helpless. 

While it is tempting to look away, switch off the news, and focus on my own life- deep inside we all know that looking away doesn’t help the 2 million people who face starvation- right now! We know that our voice might be the one that mattered to make a change!

In this helplessness we found some light. YOU- are the LIGHT!

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for your donations!

Some weeks ago we asked you to help us support Darin, a young lady in Gaza.
The response was amazing- we were able to collect 1530 Euro for Darin.

Thank you to all who donated!
Thank you !
 

URGENT: 

Gaza is at it’s breaking point. Even young men have lost significant amount of muscle due to the forced starvation. The few product on the markets are very expensive (currently 500 g noodles are sold for 10 USD, and prices for 1 kg of flour varied between 10-20 USD. Additionally bank commissions make 40% leaving only 60% of our donated money.

Next to the call for support (see below) please allow us to send money to trusted friends in Gaza so that they can survive the coming weeks.

Together we have a chance to help people survive until the war is over and Aid can come in again. Thank you so much for your contribution!

Update on Darin: One step closer to becoming a Pharmacist

On 12 June we transferred Darin the 1530 Euro- 1 day after her 22 birthday.

Her reaction was beautiful- Darin sent a voice and text message and thanked all of us who donated for her, and blessed all of us who care for her. What a beautiful birthday gift this money was for her! The needs in Gaza are high- and people feel forgotten, as they starve and suffer. Each donation, each message, each sign of care makes a difference. 

Darin is an exceptionally kind and diligent young lady. In our daily chats, voice messages and video calls (when the internet allows), she shares her life and stories with me. Always polite, always soft spoken, and always hard working.

On 20 June Darin finished all the exams in her pharmaceutical studies for this current semester. Her classes are online- as most of the days the internet works. However, studying under the current circumstances in Gaza is unbelievably difficult. 

Darin tells me about recurrent attacks and bomb blasts close to her home. On voice messages and video calls I can witness the constant intimidating humming of drones that are all around her, most of the time. What sounds scary to me are every-day experiences for Darin and all of the people in Gaza. On many days Darin stays hungry, and at times, when the water truck “doesnt make it” there is no clean drinking water or no water at all. 

In addition to this there is one more barrier to a successful exam- electricity shortages. The exam day and times are decided by the university, and they have to be completed in a set frame of time.

However, in Gaza this is additionally challenging. On one of the exams Darin told me that he had to rush her answers as her phone was nearly dead (12%) due to the power outage; without having the chance to recharge during the exam.

Darin is smart, dedicated and wants to make a difference in this world, she wants to help people. She told me her dream to work for the United Nations one day- and I will surely do whatever I can to support her on this journey.

As the semester is over now Darin will use the money we donated to sign up for the next term (500 USD). With the remaining money, she can afford a little food extra. Not much- as the costs are horrendously high. The only way survive is to leave Gaza. 

While she doesn’t want to leave – she knows that it’s a question of time until she might be hit. However, even leaving Gaza will cost her several thousands of dollars and the support of an international friend who might be able to help her. I am wishing her luck, my little Habipti, and will update you on her wellbeing, or for now- on her survival.

Today we ask for your support for Mohammad and his Lifeline Pharmacy.

Mohammad has a degree in laboratory medicine with which he planned to work in a pharmacy or laboratory.

When the war erupted Mohammad wanted to use his knowledge, courage and entrepreneurial spirit to help his people.

This is what he did- he opened a local pharmacy. 
 

Mohammad is originally from Beit Hanoun. In 2024 Mohammad and his family were displaced to Deir al Balah where he established the first life line pharmacy. During this time he provided diagnostics, medical advice and medicines, vitamins, and baby formula for free. The old pharmacy was destroyed like other buildings in the neighborhood, and Mohammad and his family were displaced again- this time to Sheikh Radwan.

On 11 June Mohammad re-established the pharmacy. Just a week ago we had the chance to speak with him through a video call and see the pharmacy. While most of the shelves are still empty, some items are already available and all looks promising for highly motivated, passionate, and caring Mohammad. He employs 3 other medical doctors/pharmacists to support the pharmacy, who help with the diagnostics and offer treatment. 

In order to make the pharmacy more sustainable, and less dependent on donations Mohammad changed the way of medicine distribution.

As you know- the amount of medicines that is allowed to enter Gaza is very limited Not even the World Health Organization has the leverage to bring in medicines, and medical equipment to cover the basics needs of which there are a lot.

What is Mohammad’s pharmacy about? How does it work? Who is he serving?

The little supply of medicines that make it into Gaza is distributed to the large hospitals. While there is ample of needs for these medicines at the hospitals, the people away from the hospitals have urgent needs too, which are not met. 

Buy from wide range of pharmacies

Mohammad has a car and buys medicines from the hospital pharmacies, from both south and north Gaza (where his LifeLine pharmacy is located) and wherever he can reach and can find required medicines. 

Scope medicines as needed
Mohammad buys the medicines that his patients need especially if these are less common drugs.

30 % reduction 
While it would be amazing to give away medicines for free, this is not sustainable. The 30% reduction however, can help many people who would otherwise not have the money for medicines or food.
 

For free: consultations and basic examinations for all who need it!

The price of paracetamol in a regular pharmacy is about 3 USD per 10 Tablets, while it is sold for 1.5 USD at LifeLine. Augmentin is the only antibiotic Mohammad can get hold of, which we can sell for 6 USD (20 Shekels), instead of the official 9 USD (30 Shekels) thanks to donations. When possible Mohammad buys infant formula to support newborns.

To cover the costs for medicines, and 3 staff who provide consultations, Mohammad needs to raise 3200 USD per month. We would like to get as close as possible to this goal- as every contribution helps.

Mohammad’s pharmacy is truly a lifeline.

With the support of our donations Mohammad and his team will be able to help many people to have access to counseling, diagnostics, and most importantly to life saving medicines.