By Joy from Ghazza

Something unfair keeps happening.

Something—hot smoke—I don’t know where it comes from, but it burns my chest.

I miss my home.

Then I wake up.

Then I miss my home.

Then I walk on my feet for three hours straight, looking for flour.

Then I miss my home.

Then sometimes I find flour.

And sometimes I don’t.

Then I miss my home.

Then I go back home, hungry and exhausted.

I gather wood to light a fire.

Then I miss my home.

Then I cook anything canned—food even dogs and animals wouldn’t touch.

But who cares about us?

There are animal welfare societies that evacuate animals.

But who would evacuate us?

Then I suppress my inner questions.

Then I miss my home.

Then I go out in the afternoon, to the sea they no longer let us reach.

Then I miss my home.

Then I return to sleep at night,

in the shelter I have taken as a substitute for my home.

Oh—

I have remembered everything I miss.

Just my home.

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Support Joy’s survival and evacuation from Gaza at tinyurl.com/evacuate-joy.
https://linktr.ee/joyfromghazza

About the Author

My name is Farah, and my nickname is “Joy.” I’m a 22-year-old writer from Gaza, currently studying English Literature at the Islamic University of Gaza, which has sadly been bombed. I’ve lived most of my life through war, enduring five conflicts that have stolen my right to live in safety, peace, and love.

I write stories, reflections, and poems. Since I was young, I’ve been passionate about poetry and literature, and I also enjoy simple crochet, which helps me distract myself from the tragedies I experience. Recently, I started my biggest project yet: writing a book documenting everything I’ve lived through during the ongoing genocide, which has now lasted over a year and a half.

I currently live with my mother and four siblings in a shelter, seeking refuge from the constant threat of death due to the violent airstrikes shaking the ground around me. I am my mother’s eldest daughter, her close friend, and her supporter (just as she supports me); together, we decided to launch our chuffed campaign to raise funds for our basic needs during this brutal war that’s ravaging our weary bodies. My father hasn’t been with us since we were young; we’ve always been under our mother’s care. I’ve lost my beautiful, warm home. I’ve been displaced to over 17 different shelters and locations, each one worse than the last due to the lack of any safe place to go. We face countless struggles, most notably the starvation we endure as part of the siege and strangulation, designed to create a complete cycle of Nazi-like genocide against us.

With all the love and longing in my heart, I aspire to pursue a Master’s degree in Translation and Intercultural Communication. It is my ambition, my goal, and my dream—one I am determined to fulfill, with unwavering passion and hope.

Not even the harshest of circumstances could stop me from walking steadily toward my dream. Neither the absence of safety, nor the brutality of bombardment, nor the heaviness of war has ever planted despair in my heart.

Thank you for your continuous generosity in supporting me to deliver my message to the world.

With deepest respect and hope,

Support Joy’s survival and evacuation from Gaza at tinyurl.com/evacuate-joy.