On 31st December, it was the birthday of Abdullah, eldest son of Yasmine. He would have been ten years old. But he was martyred – killed by a strike on his families tent in the so called safe-zone of Al-Mwasi, south of Khan Younis in Gaza. As. his birthday approached, Yasmine was dreading it. I asked what she would like to do to mark the anniversary and honour his memory. She wanted to buy some roses and go with her surviving 3 sons to put the roses on his grave….
I met Yasmine back in March last year, when there was a Cease Fire in Gaza and she had started a little charity to help the neighbouring displaced people in that Tent City. She found me through a WhatsApp Group – or perhaps from my Instagram – and reached out to see if I might donate to her charity. Because of my own work with refugees here, who come free to my monthly workshops, I couldn’t help with money, but we became good friends and chat almost daily. She sends little videos and photos and calls me Grandma. I think of her more as a daughter and her beautiful sons as my grandchildren.
I now correspond with several families in Gaza who I have been corresponding with for months. They are all like real family members now. I have made posters for them and I create hand-painted cards on silk, to raise funds to help them. It’s nowhere near enough for their needs – but something is always better than nothing.
Hassan was the first, caring for his mother who was injured when their house was bombed. We met in June 2024. Jehad was next, who reached out in November 2024. He is a media worker and journalist, hoping I might help him get the equipment he needs to maintain his work. Again I couldn’t help with funds, but we became friends. Enas contacted me when she learned that I was looking for someone in Gaza who is fluent in English. I make videos to teach breath-work and mindfulness. I want to add Arabic subtitles so I am looking for someone in Gaza who might be willing to translate some of the Videos and create subtitles. I think they may help save lives in Gaza because mindfulness is a powerful and proven strategy for reducing stress and fear. Fear and stress can kill.
Yasmine – a midwife with 4 sons, was the next family who I met and finally, in September I met Abu Yusef a painter and decorator, who with his wife and four children, was caught up in the city of Gaza when Israel began an intense bombing campaign on the city. I was able to help him get transport and go south. Yusef has a bullet lodged in his back from an attempt to get food for his family from the GHF fund, so they needed transport out of Gaza because the bullet presses on a nerve causing constant pain in his leg and foot.
I am a silk-paint artist. In December 2023 I came up with the idea of creating cards to sell to raise funds for my Gaza families.
I went to the Midlands for Christmas and the New Year, returning to London on Sunday 11th January and on Monday I was invited to a reflection-event in a Catholic church near Swiss Cottage. I am very grateful to them for allowing me to share my cards and some people did buy some.
The main design I use is a dove. The background is made of the colours of the Palestine flag, with purple and blue added as these symbolise or hold qualities which I feel are both held and manifested by the people of Gaza - nobility, courage and spiritual power. I call these cards Peace-with-Justice-and-Oneness-Love Freedom Cards.
What is happening in Gaza is a nightmare. It is difficult not to despair - but. in my meditation I am shown that the world is changing. The old world of colonialism and white supremacy is ending. A new world where there is equality and justice is dawing. But the old world won't give up its pwer without a fight.
When a mountain range is being born, it is the result of massive unseen forces. There are earthquakes - and people living in those parts of the world suffer. I guess that Gaza is at the epicentre of the current political earthquake.
I went to a Talk recently, at Westminster Abbey, given by the UN representative for refugees. Two statistics stayed with me. One is that there are currently 130 active conflicts in the world. Another is that there are now 170 million refugees worldwide. Was there any other time in history when we needed more unconditional love and compassion - to care for those who are suffering?
Top ignore suffering is not a neutral act. It makes us less human and the world more cruel. We can all do something.
I am happy to say that I was able to raise the funds Yasmine needed to buy these beautiful white roses to take to place on her beloved son's grave.
