My name is Aishia Mester, and my family and friends live in the North of Gaza, Palestine. Most aid is being blocked at the border, and there isn’t nearly enough to fight back the famine or save my loved ones. So we decided to do something about it.
My sister, Fathia Mester, and her friends volunteered to start a soup kitchen in Bait Lahia, to provide hot meals to friends and neighbors. They bought four large pots, purchased wood for the fire, and risked their lives to dig up potatoes. They also purchased tomato paste and cooking oil, and three hours later, 200 families had food for the day. The next day 200 starved families ate from the kitchen.
Word spread rapidly, and the next day, even more neighbors arrived. Fathia sprang into action, venturing out to procure ingredients for a fresh meal. She returned with leafy greens, onions, and mushrooms, crafting a new dish that was as delightful as it was nourishing. The kitchen’s capacity has now expanded to accommodate meals for up to 5000 people daily, and the numbers continue to grow. For many, this was their first substantial meal in days, and the departure from canned food was a welcomed change that filled hearts with gratitude.
You may wonder why these individuals can accomplish something that few have managed to do in the heart of starvation in Gaza. That would be a fair question.
First, Jabalia has some farms where veggies and wild greens are now in season. We made sure they had the money to purchase these hard-to-find items. Additionally, they are located in the heart of the market, so they can easily spot any of these veggies and cooking essentials arriving at the market. They have also visited farms close to the Green Line to find veggies and have been lucky a few times. Once, they purchased overgrown zucchinis that should have been picked weeks ago. Mom and my sisters lovingly wake up early to peel and prep the food for the day’s meals.
Your assistance can help us bring sustenance to an area with minimal aid, where children face the harsh reality of starvation. This personal initiative, coordinated with our family in North Gaza, ensures transparency. Your contribution, starting at five dollars, can provide a hot meal to desperate families enduring challenging conditions, intentionally isolated from the rest of the world.
