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Messages from Gaza
Salem’s Story: Fadi and Hamza
Fadi and Hamza are only 14 years old. They stand inside the shattered remains of their bombed home, baking bread from the last bits of flour – not just to feed their own starving family, but to share with hungry neighbors who have nothing left. These boys work with bare hands, with pain in their hearts, carrying a burden no child should ever carry. I sometimes help them gather firewood, prepare the dough, or cook a simple lentil meal, and together we share it with those who are barely surviving. From Dianne Monroe: I imagine you have all seen the photos from Gaza, of starving children, emaciated beyond belief, giving new meaning to the phrase “skin and bones”. Starvation is everywhere in Gaza. Death stalks the land. Still the Alaydi family perseveres, practicing the Palestinian value of sumud (the Arabic word for “steadfastness”), a way of surviving and finding meaning in the midst of the worst imaginable circumstances. There is very little food available, and Rolla’s family tells her that finding some can take hours, all day, or days. And when there is some food, the cost is astronomical. Yet the Alaydi family, and their neighbors, have their community garden. It provides a little food – not enough to fully feed people, but enough to make a difference. They can eat some, and also take some (along with a little money) and trade with people who may have some canned foods, or dried lentils, beans or rice. This is enoughto keep them alive, and to keep alive the hope that one day they will be able to plant seeds of a future where their dreams can take root and grow. This is made possible by each and every one who has donated to this fundraiser for almost two years now – including many of you on this list. Truly, this is life-saving work. Thank you. Again and always. From the depth of my heart. To all of you who have sent money and shared this story with others. Read Alaydi family updates including: Amna and Salem continue their studies (even during war and famine) and a new, online shop featuring t-shirts with Amna’s designs – and powerful words from Amna Rolla told me that 18-year-old Salem is studying for his high school certificate, while 20-year-old Amna is completing a course in cartooning that she will get college credit for, as part of seeking a university degree in art and design. They do this online, with what little internet is available. Can you imagine studying during a war and famine? Also, the online T-shirt store: Amna Alaydi Designs (Drawn in Gaza with Love) opened early July (set up by team member Shiyam Galyon). Take a look. And perhaps select a favorite design for yourself – and another for a friend. On the website Amna writes: “We are born from resilience. Despite the imposed starvation, the siege, and constant bombings day and night, we stand strong like mountains… I share my art because it’s my freedom, it rises from the worn layers of my tent and reaches hearts, no matter the distance, the seas, or the oceans. They can’t kill art, even if they try to end us all.” I feel so honored to be able to assist this courageous, resilient and generous family – and so grateful to all of you who have joined with me to support them and stand with them. Bombing, starvation and death stalks Gaza. Yet Rolla’s family persists, holding hope and humanity, practicing generosity helping and sharing with neighbors and relatives from what little they have. In the past five weeks, over 700 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks while seeking food at US and Israel backed so-called “aid distribution sites. ”Rolla’s cousin Maher witnessed the killing of his best friend Mohammed at one of those sites,” and described it in an Intercept article. A few weeks ago, Rolla received some devastating (though not entirely unexpected) news. Her applications for her family to be allowed into the US through Humanitarian Parole (which she filed in the fall of 2023) were denied, with nothing more than a form letter. On June 25 Rolla gave a powerful interview with a Santa Cruz radio station. She talks about losing over 100 family members (aunts, uncles and cousins) killed in this genocidal war – and much more. You can listen to it here. Meanwhile Rolla’s brother Medhat, along with the family’s neighbors, continues to grow their community garden, in a space cleared of rubble between their bombed houses. On July 2 Salem shared on Instagram about a trip to the ocean that became “a celebration of life in the face of genocide. Of holding on to joy while bombs fall and food runs out.” (See the bottom of this update for more about Medhat’s garden and the full text of Salem’s poetic and powerful post.) This would not be possible without the support of so many of you who have generously donated over all these many months. Together we give this family the gift of life, and let them know that we see them and care about them. Please continue to donate, as you are able. Or donate for the first time in this critical moment nd share this GoFundMe widely. Medhat and the family’s neighbors continue to build their shared vision of a community garden. They plant in pots and buckets, in the area between some of the homes that they have cleared of rubble. (The earth is too poisoned by bombardment to grow food in). Any neighbor can bring pots to plant in. Medhat has already had his first harvest – eggplants and peppers. They also envision this space as a community gathering spot, a welcoming place where neighbors can relax, an island of green in the midst of so much death and destruction. In a July 2 Instagram post, 18-year-old photographer-videographer Salem writes: “On a beach in Gaza, surrounded by fear, rubble, and the ache of hunger, my best friend Islam Abusour surprised me with a simple macaroni meal cooked over a wood fire. No fancy ingredients. No kitchen. Just two hearts trying to stay human through it all. “We laughed. We shared. We felt, for a brief moment, like we owned the world. “This isn’t just a meal. It’s a celebration of life in the face of genocide. Of holding on to joy while bombs fall and food runs out. “Even in Gaza, even now, we still choose love. We still choose each other.” Profound words – especially from someone so young. “This is what human dignity, solidarity, and resilience look like even under the brutal siege, starvation, and bombardment forced on us by the occupation. “We are a people who refuse to give up on life, even when the world turns away. Please Let the world not look away. We are not numbers. We are human beings. Fadi and Hamza are just two of the many children fighting to keep their families alive with love, hope, and unimaginable strength. We live by hope – and if we must die, we will die with dignity, pride, and the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood.” I have learned so much from this family about the Palestinian value of sumud (an Arabic word that means "steadfastness” or “steadfast perseverance”), and about finding and creating meaning and beauty in the worst imaginable circumstances. I feel honored to be able to assist this courageous, resilient and generous family, and so grateful to all of you who have joined with me to support them and stand with them. Please make a contribution to make the family’s liberation possible. If possible, please give monthly, whatever amount you are able to give. Regular contributions make a huge difference. (Huge thank you to all who are already donating monthly.) Funds will continue to be used to support the family – food, medical needs, e-sims and more – whatever is needed to help them survive. You can visit Salem’s Instagram and Rolla’s Instagram for updates on the Alaydi family and stories from Gaza. 
Dianne Monroe is a writer and photographer, long-time advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people, living in Sonoma County.
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