For the past year I’ve been communicating daily with several families in Gaza, whose living conditions are becoming more dire. In our current crazy world, these connections teach my heart to remain tender and maintain a perspective that I would not otherwise possess in my relatively comfortable life.

The genocide (in the name of ethnic cleansing) is unfolding in many ways, and this slaughter has been funded and armed by this administration. Northern Gaza has been decimated, both the buildings and most of its inhabitants. Those who are left are being pushed to the coast or south, their fate unknown. People die not only from bombing and shelling, but also from malnutrition, illness, the lack of medical assistance and sheer exhaustion.

Some of you may know that I grew up in a traumatic situation, witnessing familial violence on an ongoing basis. Perhaps because of that, I am not afraid to look at what is occurring in Gaza. What my early experiences left me with is an unwillingness to do nothing in the face of such horrific abuses of power, which is what I see Israel perpetuating on the Palestinian people (and what it has done for the last 76 years). This is the second Nakba on steroids.

I recently said to my sister, Walaa, “I do not quite understand it but I am more there than here.” And she replied, “Because your heart exploded in Gaza!”

In the last five weeks, I raised $3,000 from personal donations, so I could assist many. It has all been spent for basic necessities to over 20 families. The cost of everything is now astronomical, as basic necessities are few and far between.
Might you consider assisting me to support them? I live on a small income, so my ability to send funds is limited. If you have questions about this process, and are willing to donate, please let me know. I hope you will be generous, as the need is both immediate and great. I am deeply grateful for your consideration in this.

Walaa and her three children are living in a tent in southern Gaza. Her husband was detained a year ago, when Nasser Hospital, where they were taking refuge, was besieged by the IDF, after their home was destroyed. She’s had no word from him. A month ago, both she and her youngest child contracted Hepatitis C. With the help of my community, I was able to send her the funds for the medicine needed for them both to recover. However, her son now suffers from malnutrition, which is the case of thousands of babies and young children there. There has been some shelling in her village and she recently had a close call while shopping for food and water. Walaa’s spirit is still remarkable: strong and loving.

Khalied is 19 and the oldest of four sons. He has taken on the responsibility of obtaining most of his family’s needs. His mother has a lung condition, which is becoming increasingly worse from the residue of bombed buildings and& tents. The dust is carried on winds, and they are living in a tent in the midst of winter. He calls me “Aunt,” and is a very kind, respectful young man. Late last month, I was able to send funds for his mother’s inhaler and meds. Now the family needs to purchase a new tent, as theirs is coming apart. Also blankets, as winter is upon them. He prays his mother will survive these conditions. She is becoming weaker by the day.

Khalied, like me, loves cats. He wants to text everyday (on WhatsApp) and always has so many questions. He has been particularly interested in our recent election and is concerned about how this will affect those in Gaza. It’s been difficult to be completely honest with him, as I don’t want him to lose hope.

Fatima is the mother of three children, and also cares for her parents, who are both ill, and an orphaned niece. Her husband was killed by the IDF, and during that attack, she also sustained a chest injury, which still causes her much pain. Her current tent is now insufficient, ripping from the wind, with rain coming through. Their first tent was bombed in Jabalia. Fortunately, they all escaped. Food and water are a constant need, as well as other basic necessities. She feels safe to tell me how difficult it is for her, though she always apologizes after doing so. She is the living example of “sumud” (steadfastness).

It is important to know that 70 percent of those who have been slaughtered in Gaza are women and children. These atrocities are clearly not acts of self-defense. There are others that I would like to support. But for brevity, I have shared the stories of those with whom I am most frequently in touch.

My daily poetry gift from First Sip just dropped into my email this morning, as I was preparing to send off this letter. Such synchronicity.

I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I awoke and saw that life was service.
I acted and, behold, service was joy.
~ Rabindranath Tagore

Fran Carbonaro is a poet, private vocal coach and an activist for Palestinian families..