First Home for family whom Rachel sought to protect

Funded!

Thanks to nearly a thousand donors, this project raised enough money to fund the construction of a home for the family whom Rachel Corrie stayed with and sought to protect.  Especially positive was the U.S. speaking tour that brought Khaled and Samah Nasrallah and their baby Sama to the U.S. to join Cindy and Craig Corrie in visiting 7 states in 2005.   We began construction just as the Israeli imposed its closure of Gaza to assure the relocation of settlers. That closure soon became a blockade.  We completed construction despite these challenges.

Below is information about the project before it was fully funded

Summary

Rebuilding the Nasrallah Family’s home in Gaza was a first step to build momentum worldwide to stop demolition bulldozers, so that children can sleep safely and peacefully in their homes at night.   Here is a Letter from Cindy Corrie and also one from Khaled Nasrallah, January 15,2004 , describing the intention of this project.

What was the issue, problem, or challenge?

According to their report, “Razing Rafah: Mass Home Demolitions in the Gaza Strip,” Human Rights Watch found that by 2004, the  Israeli Army had made 16,000 people homeless, regardless of whether their homes posed a genuine military threat.  This number increased signficantly during Operation Cast Lead in 2008/2009.  Though the Israeli government redeployed its Gaza troops, thousands of homes remain at risk. This project invited the world to help rebuild the home of the Nasrallah family as a first step to realize the intention of American Rachel Corrie, who was killed standing her ground before the bulldozer sent to demolish their home.

How will this project solve this problem?

Using house party fundraisers, and an exceptional speaking tour, the project engaged the world to rebuild the Nasrallah home. We helped the family purchase a new plot of land, as the land they owned was leveled into a vast open corridor near the border with Egypt. As we built, the story of the Nasrallah and Corrie families touched many hearts.

Potential Long Term Impact

Through this home, a movement to end home demolitions continued to grow. Though demolitions have not yet ended, families want to rebuild, they want jobs, and they want their children to sleep without fear. As Palestinians and Israelis join these efforts, a just peace can begin.

Project Message

I dream of rebuilding whole neighborhoods in conflict zones to provide a safety net for families who lost everything; encourage those who build, not destroy; and awaken the world to keep them safe.

- Donna Baranski-Walker, Executive Director, The Rebuilding Alliance