Marah and Karim once had a home, went to school and lived like other children. They grew up in a loving family, surrounded by their parents and siblings.
But their lives changed when war came to Gaza.
Today, their home is gone. Their father and two siblings were killed. The school that was once an important part of their lives is no longer the same.
Yet despite everything they have lost, Marah and Karim still hold on to hope for the future.
Since October 2023, Israel’s assault on Gaza has left tens of thousands of Palestinian children orphaned. Many have lost a parent, their homes and the lives they once knew.
Through the Orphan Sponsorship Programme, Islamic Relief is supporting thousands of orphaned and affected children as they navigate life in extremely difficult circumstances.
Marah and Karim are among them.
Life changed after their home was bombed
Eight-year-old Marah and her 13-year-old brother Karim once lived happily with their family in Al-Zaytoun, Gaza.
Before the war, they had a home, went to school and grew up surrounded by the love of their parents.
Marah has limited movement in her left hand and leg. She received treatment at Hamad Hospital and underwent regular physiotherapy to help improve her mobility.
But everything changed when their home was bombed.
The attack killed their father and two of their siblings. Marah, Karim and the rest of their family survived after being pulled from beneath the rubble.
They were forced to endure the devastating experience of losing loved ones before their own eyes.
After losing their home, Marah’s family was forced to move repeatedly in search of safer places. They now live in a tent in the Al-Rimal area.
Despite everything that has changed, Marah still remembers the happy moments she shared with her family.
“I used to be happy at school and my life was happy too. But when the war started, we were no longer happy, and my father was killed. My father always brought us toys. Whatever I asked for, he would give it to us,” Marah said.
Clean water is difficult to access
For Marah’s family, living in a tent is far from easy.
One of their biggest challenges is the lack of access to water. The water they have must be carefully rationed to ensure there is enough for cooking.
At times, they cannot use water to wash themselves because cooking has to take priority. As a result, the children suffer from painful skin rashes.
Marah’s mother describes how difficult life has become.
“Life as we knew it no longer exists. All the basic necessities in Gaza are gone. We do not have enough food, clean water, suitable clothing or enough sleep. Our lives are filled with exhaustion,” she said.
The destruction in Gaza has taken away more than homes. It has transformed everyday life for people across the region.
For families like Marah’s, routines that once included school, work and ordinary daily activities have been replaced by the struggle to access basic necessities.
“There are no schools for our children, no kindergartens, no universities for students and no jobs for our children. All that remains now is destruction. Wherever we go, we see destruction.”
Marah and Karim’s health is deteriorating
At just 13 years old, Karim now has to help his family collect firewood for cooking.
Karim suffers from asthma. The lack of medication, combined with exposure to smoke from burning firewood, has made his condition worse.
For many families in Gaza, firewood has become one of the few available options for cooking amid severe shortages.
Marah also continues to face serious health challenges.
Her mother continues to take her for physiotherapy, despite having to walk a long distance to reach the clinic. However, the clinic does not have enough equipment to provide the treatment Marah needs.
After physiotherapy sessions, Marah often returns in tears because she is exhausted.
She no longer has the energy to play.
While other children play around her, Marah can only sit inside the family’s tent.
School has stopped, but their dreams remain
Before the war, school was an important part of Marah and Karim’s lives.
Today, many schools have been destroyed and Gaza’s education system has been severely disrupted. This has made it difficult for them to continue learning as they once did.
But losing access to education has not erased their dreams.
Marah still hopes to become a doctor one day.
Karim dreams of becoming a Mathematics teacher.
Mathematics is his favourite subject.
“I like Mathematics. I study hard and I always answer questions in class,” Karim said.
These dreams may seem simple. But for Marah and Karim, they represent the future they still hope to have — a life of peace, education and opportunity.
They have lost their home and loved ones. They have also lost the chance to experience childhood as they once knew it.
Yet their hope remains.
More than 7,000 Gaza orphans are still waiting for sponsorship
Marah and Karim’s story is just one of thousands of stories of Gaza orphans whose lives have been affected by the war.
Losing a mother, father or both parents places an enormous burden on children who are still so young.
With the support of generous donors, Islamic Relief is helping thousands of orphaned children in Gaza through the MyYateem Orphan Sponsorship Programme.
But many more children are still waiting for support.
More than 7,000 children are currently reported to be waiting for sponsorship.
Support from donors can help meet their basic needs and give them the opportunity to continue their lives and build a better future.
Marah still wants to become a doctor.
Karim still wants to become a Mathematics teacher.
Although so much has been taken away from their lives, their dreams and hope remain.
Be part of their hope
Orphaned children in Gaza should not have to face life without support after losing the people they love.
Through MyYateem Sponsorship, your donation can help children like Marah and Karim cope with the challenges they face and pursue their dreams.
Be part of their hope. Donate today and help orphaned children in Gaza continue their lives and build a better future.
