Rebuilding From Gaza: When Community Giving Meets Courage

A New Beginning in Winnipeg

When Syed and his family arrived in Winnipeg, they were not just starting over in a new city—they were rebuilding their lives from the ground up. As refugee claimants from Gaza, their household included elderly parents unable to work, a young son striving to provide, and his pregnant wife preparing to welcome a new baby in a country still unfamiliar.

Everything was new: the cold, the language, and the uncertainty. They found a small place to rent, but with it came the weight of high monthly costs, overdue bills, and groceries that quickly outweighed their single income. Most days, they rationed what they had, sometimes skipping meals so the elders could eat, praying the power would stay on long enough to keep the home warm and safe before the baby arrived.

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The Weight of One Income

Like many newcomer families, they quickly discovered that the cost of living in a new country can feel overwhelming. Rent, utilities, food, transportation, and baby essentials all added up faster than their limited income could cover, and with only one working household member, every unexpected expense felt like a crisis.

To get by, they leaned on extended family where possible and turned to food banks and community resources to fill the gaps. Even with this support, the pressure of overdue bills and the fear of not being able to provide for the soon-to-arrive baby weighed heavily on their hearts.

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Reaching Out for Help

In a moment of urgent need, the family reached out to National Zakat Foundation Canada, hoping for some relief as they navigated this difficult season. Asking for help is never easy, especially for those who have spent their lives working hard and caring for others, but their situation left them with little choice.

Their story reflects what many refugee claimants experience: they arrive with hope and determination, but face high costs, limited work opportunities at first, language barriers, and the responsibility of caring for loved ones who cannot earn an income.

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When Zakat Becomes a Lifeline

Through your Zakat and Sadaqah, NZF Canada was able to step in and support this family with what they needed most. They received food support to ease the strain on their grocery budget, rent assistance to help keep a roof over their heads, and essential baby items to prepare for the arrival of their newest family member.

This support did more than pay bills. It gave them breathing room—space to focus on learning, healing, and planning the next steps of their lives in Canada. For Syed, it meant not carrying the burden of provision entirely alone; for his wife, it meant preparing for birth with a little less worry; for his elderly parents, it meant a sense of dignity and security in their final years.

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Continuing the Journey with Hope

Today, the family is slowly rebuilding and still working toward stability. Syed continues to search for better employment opportunities, his wife is learning English and adjusting to life in a new country, and his parents remain unable to work due to age and health. Their challenges have not disappeared, but they are no longer facing them without support.

Their resilience, patience, and determination are at the heart of this story. Community giving—through Zakat and Sadaqah—has helped turn overwhelming hardship into a path, however difficult, toward independence; when we give from what we love, families like theirs feel seen, supported, and less alone in their struggle.

This Ramadan and beyond, give locally, and give from what you love.

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