In the shattered remnants of Gaza, where conflict has upended lives and left families clinging to the edge of existence, Malak stands as a solitary pillar for her young children and ailing parents.
With her husband missing and presumed lost amid the chaos, this resilient mother bears the unimaginable burden of providing for her three daughters entirely on her own. Her days are a relentless cycle of scarcity and fear, marked by the heartbreaking reality that she cannot even afford a simple notebook for her girls, items that could offer a fleeting sense of normalcy and help them stay focused amid the turmoil.
As their sole guardian, Malak's heart shatters at her inability to shield them from hunger, illness, and the biting cold, a plight that has only deepened with the last donation arriving 26 agonizing days ago.
Malak's circumstances are dire, emblematic of the broader humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where basic survival hangs by a thread. Living day to day, her family oscillates between meager meals and outright starvation, with some days bringing a scrap of sustenance and others none at all.
Her youngest, baby Iman, requires specialized nutrition like milk, cerelac, fruits, and vegetables to thrive, yet these essentials remain out of reach without consistent support. Diapers alone cost an exorbitant $400/monthly, a necessity that strains her fragile resources further. Adding to the torment, Malak's daughter battles ongoing sickness, demanding $300 worth of medicine each month, while her elderly parents grapple with their own illnesses, reliant on treatments that Malak struggles to procure.
The family huddles in makeshift conditions, desperate for warm clothes and blankets to ward off the encroaching winter chill, all while navigating the instability of their environment.
The weight of these hardships is compounded by the knowledge that Malak's isolation is absolute…no extended family, no community safety net, just her weary determination to keep her children alive.
"I am tired, but I cannot give up," she shares in a poignant message, underscoring her role as the unwavering provider for her three girls who depend on her for everything. Her parents' frailty and her daughter's constant need for care leave no room for respite, turning every moment into a battle against despair.
Yet, Malak's story is not isolated; it echoes the collective suffering in Gaza, a crisis in which the world has been made unwillingly complicit.
Through the actions—or inactions—of governments and global powers, ordinary people everywhere have indirectly contributed to this devastation, funding conflicts or turning a blind eye to policies that perpetuate the blockade and destruction.
This shared guilt serves as a call to action: by extending a hand now, individuals can begin to atone for the role thrust upon them, transforming complicity into compassion and offering Malak the lifeline she so desperately needs.
To rebuild even a semblance of stability, Malak urgently requires targeted support. A sturdy tent to replace their precarious shelter would cost $500, providing a basic refuge from the elements. Monthly medicine for her sick daughter stands at $300, while essentials like milk, cerelac, fruits, vegetables, and diapers for baby Iman total $400 per month. Rent for the land where their tent stands demands $250, and winter clothes, blankets, and school supplies add another $500 to the list. Altogether, these critical needs amount to approximately $2,000/month, funds that could mean the difference between survival and collapse.
A number that is impossible for most Palestinians in Gaza, let alone a single mother with a child that has special needs who needs constant care.
In her own words, Malak pleads:
I am alone. My husband is missing. My daughter is sick and needs constant care. My parents are ill. I have three girls who depend on me for everything. I just need someone to help me stand again. May Allah reward everyone who supports us, even with a prayer.
Her message is a raw appeal to humanity's better nature, reminding us that in the face of such profound adversity, even small acts of generosity can restore hope and dignity to a family on the brink, for a mother at her wit’s end.
Almost everyone is struggling financially, but if we can all work collectively, we can offer a huge relief for Malak and her children.
You can donate to her at:
https://chuffed.org/project/malakm
You can contact Malak directly on Twitter @MZyad50984.