THE SUNBIRD SOLIDARITY PROJECT
At The Sunbird Solidarity Project we have a special focus on raising vital financial aid for displaced Palestinian and Lebanese families with ties to Aotearoa. We are, now and forever, dedicated to advocating loudly for their human rights and freedoms.
“It is quite common to hear high officials in Washington and elsewhere speak of changing the map of the Middle East, as if ancient societies and myriad peoples can be shaken up like so many peanuts in a jar.”
Edward W. Said
How you can help
Maysoon Al-Desouki, is still in Gaza. She lives with her 5 children in the middle of the atrocities — the bombing, the famine, the humiliation and the conflict. They have lost their home, all their belongings, their day-to-day life, their studies and many family and friends. They are currently living in an asylum centre with a huge number of people and the children are suffering from ongoing illnesses due to the lack of hygiene and space.
14 years ago, Nehad Al Battaniji made Aotearoa his home after leaving his homeland in Gaza, Palestine. Since moving, Nehad and his whanau have continuously experienced the devastating impact of the occupation and apartheid in Palestine. To date, he has lost 77 members of his whanau in Gaza who have been killed due to airstrikes by the Israeli military.
Fundraising to help the Aashour family evacuate the horrendous war in Gaza. They are: Tariq and Niveen, and their three children: Saleem (17), Sara (15), and Kareem (14).
Sara has contracted Hepatitis A due to poor sanitation, and requires medical attention which is not available in Gaza due to the constant bombing of the hospitals. Since the outbreak of the war their home has been destroyed, they have been constantly on the move to survive, and they now face starvation and disease. Although Gaza is their home, there is nothing left for them there.
Aml and her family left Gaza to seek refuge in New Zealand for a fresh start and a peaceful future. The miracle of coming to New Zealand came at a cost, both emotionally and financially. To secure their escape, Aml took a loan of $20,250 from the New Zealand government to cover the expenses of our relocation. They now might have to move out of their emergency housing and find a new home.
Both Aml and her husband are engineers however because he is on a visitor visa, he is not eligible to work, study, or get WINZ payments.
Due to the deadly war on Gaza, I lost my sister 39 yrs, and her four children; Raghad 15 yrs, Malak 13 yrs, Essam 10 yrs and Maryam 7 yrs. I was called at 4am by my family in Gaza to inform me that my sister’s house was air-struck killing my sister, her four children, my aunty, and four extended family members. My two nephews 19, & 10 yrs and niece 20 yrs were injured and received urgent medical procedures, one experienced a head injury and internal brain bleeding.
The money will help evacuate my family outside of Gaza to the Egyptian border so my elderly mother and injured family members can receive the health treatments they need.
The Elhanafy family has ties to Kiwi Gazans in Christchurch.
Join us in supporting Tia's displaced family from South Lebanon. On 24/09/24 Tia’s family left South Lebanon (with minimal belongings) due to intense air strikes, hours later their houses were bombed and destroyed and they are now displaced. Your generous donations will provide essential resources, shelter, and hope to Tia’s family affected by recent bombings on South Lebanon.
Image by @angie_lc