August 31st 2024.
Little Afaf is just one of many innocent children caught in the midst of a devastating war. She was born in Gaza before the war began, and spent her early years playing with her favorite toys and building sets. Despite the difficulties faced by her family, Afaf was a happy child.
Her father, Mohammed, reflects on their life before the war, saying that although it was challenging, they were able to create a peaceful and stable home for their children. However, he was not surprised by the recent events, as he knew the difficult reality of being Palestinian in their homeland.
The last few months have been particularly heartbreaking for Mohammed and his family. With almost half of Gaza's population being under the age of 18, the war has taken a devastating toll on innocent lives. According to Gaza's health ministry, over 40,500 people have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of the war, and this number could be even higher according to researchers.
The war has also had a significant impact on the children of Gaza. Save the Children reports that one in every 50 children in the Strip has been killed or injured, with over 19,000 children left orphaned. Fearing for the safety of his own children, Mohammed made the difficult decision to flee to Cairo, Egypt after 150 days of war.
He speaks of his children with love and protection, saying that they are the best thing that has ever happened to him. He had dreams of a stable and happy life for them, but unfortunately, those dreams have been shattered by the war and the constant struggle for survival.
Afaf is not the only child affected by the war. Tasnim Nasr Al-Wahid recently gave birth to her son, Ishan, but is struggling to provide even the bare necessities for him due to the ongoing conflict. She and her husband had dreams for their son, but now their lives are filled with fear, terror, and death.
Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, six-year-old Miral is also feeling the effects of the war. Her father, Malik, says that they try to pretend it's all just a game, but it's hard to shield their daughter from the reality of the devastation in Gaza.
For those who want to help, there is a way to make a difference. Circle of Toys is a program that allows people to give and receive toys across the world. By signing up and filling out a form, individuals can browse through requests and choose which ones they would like to fulfill. Once approved, shipping details will be provided and the toy can be sent to a child in need.
In the midst of such tragedy, it's important to spread love and kindness wherever possible. We can all make a difference, no matter how small, in the lives of those affected by this war. Let's join together to bring some joy and hope to these innocent children.
Meet Afaf, a sweet little girl who, like thousands of other children, is growing up in a war-torn country. When her father, Mohammed Hamdona, welcomed her into the world, the war in Gaza had not yet begun. As a one-year-old, Afaf spent her days playing with construction sets and electronic toys, happy and carefree in the midst of a difficult but stable life.
"We did our best to make life beautiful for ourselves and our children," Mohammed tells The Agency. But for him, the recent months have not been a surprise. He knew the reality of growing up in Palestine all too well. "Being Palestinian means facing oppression and being deprived of basic human rights," he explains. "Even the most essential conditions for life, as outlined by international humanitarian law, are not provided for us."
Now, Afaf and her family are living in Egypt, having fled Gaza in fear for their lives. The coastal enclave, where almost half of the population is under 18, has been engulfed in war for over 300 days. The Israeli military's attacks on Hamas, the ruling party in Gaza, have resulted in a staggering number of casualties. According to Gaza's health ministry, over 40,500 people have been killed since the war began on October 7. However, researchers from the Lancet journal estimate that the actual death toll could be as high as 186,000.
The impact on children has been devastating. Save the Children reports that one in 50 children in Gaza have been killed or injured, amounting to almost 26,000 young lives affected. In addition, over 19,000 children have been orphaned. Fearing for the safety of his own children, Mohammed made the difficult decision to flee to Cairo with them after 150 days of war. "My children are the most precious thing to me, and I pray for their safety," he says. "I had dreams of a stable life, a beautiful home, and a future full of hope and knowledge. But now, our lives are difficult and my children are suffering because of the war and the struggle for survival."
Miral, a six-year-old living in the West Bank, has also felt the effects of the ongoing conflict. Her father, Malik, says that the family tries to pretend it's all just a game, but it's not easy for Miral to forget the devastation happening just 60 miles away in Gaza.
Sadly, Afaf is not the only child whose dreams have been shattered by the war. Tasnim Nasr Al-Wahid gave birth to her son, Ishan Ahmed Al Boraie, just three months ago. "Right now, we don't even have the basic necessities for life, for me or for him," she says. "His father and I had plans and dreams for his future, but unfortunately, they have all been replaced by fear, terror, and death."
If you're wondering how you can help children like Afaf and Ishan, you can get involved with Circle of Toys, a program that allows people to give and receive toys all around the world. It's simple: just click the "SEND A TOY" button and complete the form. Then, browse and select a request for a toy that you would like to fulfill. Once approved, you'll receive the shipping details and can send the toy to a child in need.
Stay updated on the latest news from Metro by following us on Whatsapp. And as Malik says about his daughter Miral, "She is six and a half years old, with beautiful gazelle eyes. She is smart, precise, and very intelligent." Let's do our part to give children like Miral and Afaf a brighter future.
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