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Home of the Week: On the pond in the Ocean State

Home of the Week: On the pond in the Ocean State

Boston Globe19 hours ago
Year built
1930
Square feet
1,906
Bedrooms
3
Baths
2 full
Sewer/Water
Public
Taxes
$5,923 (2024)
In a sense, the main attraction of this Cape-style cottage is 22 feet deep. It's that close to
The 1,906-square-foot home is the last house on the right before Lake Avenue comes to an end on the banks of the freshwater pond.
The 4,008-square foot lot — which is protected by a chain-link fence — includes a private dock.
The property includes a private dock.
Michael Derr
There's two ways to enter this home, and a preference may develop for using the second because it's closest to the pond and the backyard.
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A short stairwell leads inside, where a two-person table is set in a perfect spot: just underneath a clear plate-glass window with views of the pond from the rear of the home.
The view from a casual eating area.
Michael Derr
Heading toward the front of the house connects first to the kitchen and then to the dining room. The kitchen features purple and cream painted cabinets, a tile backsplash, and an electric stove. The countertops are Formica-like material and the flooring is vinyl.
Colorful cabinets now line the kitchen.
Michael Derr
The kitchen flows into the formal dining room, which is positioned near a window with views of the pond. A light with a fan is in the center of the ceiling.
The living room features a pellet stove with black piping that is backed by a brick-faced wall (the home has oil heat). The exterior wall hosts a three-paned window joining with a double-pane window on the other exterior wall.
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A pellet stove, right, warms up the living room.
Michael Derr
The three bedrooms and the main bathroom complete this level. The primary bedroom has a pair of windows next to each other in the distant corner of the room; the other has a single double-hung window. The third is now used as a family room and also features the paired windows in the corner of the space.
The primary bedroom has a hardwood floor.
Michael Derr
Flooring on this level in all but the kitchen and bath is oak hardwood.
The 730-square-foot finished lower level has tile flooring and direct access to the backyard — and the pond — through a screened door with a clear glass window. Also on this level, there's a second full kitchen and full bath. There is also a second family room with space for exercise machines and a large bookcase.
The finished basement has a second family room with space for exercise machines and a large bookcase.
Michael Derr
The downstairs kitchen is galley style and features white cabinets, a tile backsplash with accents, and counters that create a sitting space with an overhang. The flooring is white tile.
There's a counter for food and drink in the downstairs kitchen.
Michael Derr
The full bath on this floor features a single white vanity with a porcelain inset sink, white tile flooring with accents, and a shower/bath behind a curtain.
A two-car garage located across the street is being sold separately, but can be combined into one purchase, according to the listing agent,
South Watuppa Pond — which is on the Massachusetts border and also runs past Fall River and Westport in the Bay State — totals about 1,460 acres. MassWildlife reports finding smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and chain pickerel among other fish species, but the
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John R. Ellement can be reached at
. Follow him
. Send listings to
. Please note: We do not feature unfurnished homes unless they are new-builds or gut renovations and will not respond to submissions we won't pursue. Subscribe to our newsletter at
.
The dining room has views of the pond.
Michael Derr
The basement bathroom has a long counter and a bath-shower combo.
Michael Derr
The main bathroom has a large sink and a shower-tub combo.
Michael Derr
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Home of the Week: On the pond in the Ocean State
Home of the Week: On the pond in the Ocean State

Boston Globe

time19 hours ago

  • Boston Globe

Home of the Week: On the pond in the Ocean State

Year built 1930 Square feet 1,906 Bedrooms 3 Baths 2 full Sewer/Water Public Taxes $5,923 (2024) In a sense, the main attraction of this Cape-style cottage is 22 feet deep. It's that close to The 1,906-square-foot home is the last house on the right before Lake Avenue comes to an end on the banks of the freshwater pond. The 4,008-square foot lot — which is protected by a chain-link fence — includes a private dock. The property includes a private dock. Michael Derr There's two ways to enter this home, and a preference may develop for using the second because it's closest to the pond and the backyard. Advertisement A short stairwell leads inside, where a two-person table is set in a perfect spot: just underneath a clear plate-glass window with views of the pond from the rear of the home. The view from a casual eating area. Michael Derr Heading toward the front of the house connects first to the kitchen and then to the dining room. The kitchen features purple and cream painted cabinets, a tile backsplash, and an electric stove. The countertops are Formica-like material and the flooring is vinyl. Colorful cabinets now line the kitchen. Michael Derr The kitchen flows into the formal dining room, which is positioned near a window with views of the pond. A light with a fan is in the center of the ceiling. The living room features a pellet stove with black piping that is backed by a brick-faced wall (the home has oil heat). The exterior wall hosts a three-paned window joining with a double-pane window on the other exterior wall. Advertisement A pellet stove, right, warms up the living room. Michael Derr The three bedrooms and the main bathroom complete this level. The primary bedroom has a pair of windows next to each other in the distant corner of the room; the other has a single double-hung window. The third is now used as a family room and also features the paired windows in the corner of the space. The primary bedroom has a hardwood floor. Michael Derr Flooring on this level in all but the kitchen and bath is oak hardwood. The 730-square-foot finished lower level has tile flooring and direct access to the backyard — and the pond — through a screened door with a clear glass window. Also on this level, there's a second full kitchen and full bath. There is also a second family room with space for exercise machines and a large bookcase. The finished basement has a second family room with space for exercise machines and a large bookcase. Michael Derr The downstairs kitchen is galley style and features white cabinets, a tile backsplash with accents, and counters that create a sitting space with an overhang. The flooring is white tile. There's a counter for food and drink in the downstairs kitchen. Michael Derr The full bath on this floor features a single white vanity with a porcelain inset sink, white tile flooring with accents, and a shower/bath behind a curtain. A two-car garage located across the street is being sold separately, but can be combined into one purchase, according to the listing agent, South Watuppa Pond — which is on the Massachusetts border and also runs past Fall River and Westport in the Bay State — totals about 1,460 acres. MassWildlife reports finding smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and chain pickerel among other fish species, but the Advertisement John R. Ellement can be reached at . Follow him . Send listings to . Please note: We do not feature unfurnished homes unless they are new-builds or gut renovations and will not respond to submissions we won't pursue. Subscribe to our newsletter at . The dining room has views of the pond. Michael Derr The basement bathroom has a long counter and a bath-shower combo. Michael Derr The main bathroom has a large sink and a shower-tub combo. Michael Derr

26 Parent-Approved School Year Essentials
26 Parent-Approved School Year Essentials

Buzz Feed

time19 hours ago

  • Buzz Feed

26 Parent-Approved School Year Essentials

A school supply essentials box in case that back-to-school list is just too daunting. This case has pretty much everything you'll need for the school year and almost anything that'll be on the supply list so you can enjoy summer rather than fight Hunger Games-style with another adult over the last glue stick. Each bundle includes a plastic pencil box, a 10-pack of markers, a 24-pack of crayons, a 12-pack of colored pencils, three glue sticks, a pack of #2 pencils, five pencil top erasers, a rubber eraser, a pencil sharpener, a pair of blunt tip scissors, two pencil grips, a 12-inch ruler, a wide-rule spiral notebook, a wide ruled composition book, and two 2-pocket folder with metal review: "As a busy working mother, this was a lifesaver! The kit had everything my third grader needed to start his new school year, and I didn't have to fight the crowds at the stores!!! 5 stars!!!" —Carolyn JacksonGet it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in two other sizes). A gentle alarm clock that'll hopefully bring you much cheerier wake-ups than jarring beeping sounds. I recently started using this sunrise clock and THE CHANGE to my mornings. Even if your little one is too young for an alarm clock, just having one for yourself can make waking up so much more pleasant. Promising review: "This clock is a lifesaver! I bought one each for my three kids so they can get up on time for school, and it works perfectly! They love the ease of use and customization — and they are actually excited about getting up on time!" —KavinaGet it from Amazon for $32.88+ (available in three colors). A cereal dispenser so they can get themselves breakfast without a gigantic pile of spilled cereal on the floor. The added excitement of making every breakfast feel like a hotel vacation breakfast is simply a bonus. Promising review: "These keep my cereal fresh, my 6-year-old can use them on her own! It's truly a lifesaver!" —Allison MarieGet it from Amazon for $31.22. A breakfast sandwich maker to get you a hot and delicious breakfast rather than scavenging off of leftover cereal and cold toaster pastries. This machine makes amazing breakfast sandwiches in minutes — plus you can embarrass your brood by singing H-O-T-T-O-G-O every time you pass them a sando. Promising review: "This thing is a lifesaver. I'm a mother of four young kids, so I have resorted to eating cereal, Pop-Tarts, anything FAST in the mornings because I have lots of little people to take care of, too. For as little as one minute of prep time and five minutes to cook, I have a delicious and much healthier breakfast. I bought the single, but I am considering ordering a double as well." — it from Amazon for $29.95+ (available in five colors). A hard-boiled egg maker so efficient, it takes almost all of the time out of making hard-boiled eggs for your family. Quickly make up to six eggs at a time in about 10 minutes. Perfect for any family rushing through the breakfast chaos — or anyone who has found their batch of hard-boiled eggs sitting in a lukewarm pot of water six hours later. 🫠 Promising review: "Lifesaver! Quick eggs and do not need to be prepped that much. Helps a lot when you are getting kids ready to go to school." —DeepakGet it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors). A programmable coffee maker that'll help you set your coffee up the night before and wake up to your favorite aroma. If you're like me and have had too many mornings where you realize you forgot to brew your coffee until it was too late, it's time to treat yourself to a better system. Promising review: "What was I waiting for? I drink a lot of coffee. Now I've always had a glass pot coffee maker and briefly went down the Keurig road (hated it.) After breaking my third glass pot in the past few years, I started looking into getting a stainless steel pot. I saw a few with a water reservoir, but I decided against it. Good fresh water makes for good coffee. This one seemed to get good reviews, so I ordered it. Boy, am I glad that I did! The pot is huge (a lot of stainless steel pots were only 10 cups, this one makes 12.) The design is sleek and matches my kitchen so well. The auto feature is nice when I remember to actually prep it at night. There is a bold feature (yaasss!) The display will tell you how many minutes, up to two hours, have passed since it brewed. The best part, however, is the pot. It keeps the coffee warm for hours and hours. I have four kids and run a home daycare, so I don't always get around to getting my second and third cups until hours after brewing. And I hate microwaved coffee! This coffee maker has been a lifesaver. I can have my early morning cup. Get through my morning schedule and go back for another cup, and it'll be just as hot! No reheating! My only complaint is that I wish the filter were cone-shaped instead of a basket. Just a personal preference of mine. (I think the chance of grounds getting into the brew increases with a basket filter, that's all.) But other than that, this has been the best coffee maker I have ever bought." —JasmineGet it from Amazon for $65.99+ (available in three versions). A set of refrigerator storage bins to make getting lunches ready a much more streamlined process. Rather than digging through the fridge trying to find whatever snacks you have, keep them separated and at the ready. Promising review: "The bins were a lifesaver. Now I can reach things easily by pulling out bins. The entire family found that this works better than reaching in the back of the refrigerator for things that have fallen. Now it is simply pulling out a bin. Also, it avoids standing in front of the refrigerator looking for things. The bins have 'like' items in each. I also paired this with the rotating refrigerator carousel. My refrigerator is now very organized and maximizes space. The bins seem very durable and are made of sturdy material." —Gorbla2Get a set of four from Amazon for $16.76+ (available in two sizes). A pack of silicone dividers so foods in the lunch box stay separated and less soggy — because no one likes soggy crackers thanks to strawberry spillage. Promising review: "We love these! Every Sunday, we make homemade Lunchables. We put crackers in the rectangular cup, sliced cheese in the square, and salami or pepperoni on the round. They fit into an airtight container to go into the fridge until the kids pack their lunches each morning. It's been a life and time saver!!!" —Erin B. LeggGet a 36-pack of assorted shapes from Amazon for $9.99 (available in various shapes and sizes). A lunchbox with an option to send warm food for the kid who likes to mix up their lunch routine. 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Promising review: "The Yunbaoit Upgraded Black Visual Timer with Protective Case has been an absolute lifesaver for managing ADHD in our household. The visual countdown is intuitive and easy to understand, making it perfect for staying on task and managing transitions. The durable protective case adds peace of mind, ensuring it can withstand daily use. Whether it's for homework, chores, or screen time, this timer has helped create structure and minimize distractions. It's simple to use, highly effective, and has quickly become an essential tool in our routine. I can't recommend it enough for anyone looking to improve time management!" —adudethatknowsGet it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in nine colors). A set of personalized labels so you can avoid the hassle of rummaging through the overflowing lost and found. I'm pretty sure my kids forget their lunchbox, water bottle, or sweater every day last school year — labels make things so much easier to find later. Promising review: "I've had these name labels for a while, and they're absolutely amazing. I can stick them on clothes, wash them, and they're still good. They've been an absolute lifesaver when it comes to school — teachers know when it's my child's, and it prevents it from being lost. I've stuck it on sippies, clothes, shoes, the outside of backpacks, it is RESILIENT and honestly, super underpriced for how high quality and the quantity you get. I'd only ever buy from this seller." — 130-pack from Amazon for $9.95 (available in 27 designs). An electric toothbrush that uses an app to keep your kid engaged and brushing for a full two minutes. Electric toothbrushes already keep teeth cleaner, but the addition of the app helps kids work through brushing without getting distracted or hurrying through the process. Honestly just being able to leave them to brushing without having to hover as the tarter police is worth it. 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I love the four cops and how hidden and easy they are to access. The toothpaste comes out perfectly every time and does not make a mess!!! My kids love to make messes, so this is a lifesaver. I have already recommended this to all of my friends and family." —Lindsay SnackGet it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four colors). A day-of-the-week clothing organizer so that choosing clothes for school doesn't become a daily battle in your household. Just check the weather report and choose outfits over the weekend — suddenly a (mostly) stress-free morning! Promising review: "This has been an absolute lifesaver! My kids put all of their clothes for the week in their 'pockets' on Sunday and there's no digging in the mornings anymore!" —CrystalWGet it from Amazon for $25.99. A fan-favorite Skylight calendar for keeping all of your family appointments in plain sight. 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I love it." —KatieGet it from Amazon for $125.99+ (available with two, three, four, or six drawers and 10 colors). A car seat unbuckling tool so they can unbuckle themselves at in the morning, ensuring that you're not burying your face at drop-off as you hold up the line to unbuckle your kid. The car seat buckle desperately needs to be one less thing you fight with. Promising review: "We purchased two of these, one for each car, and it has been great for dropping off our Kindergarten student at school. We are not allowed to get out of the car, so I was worried how to get him unbuckled from his car seat/harness, but this has been a lifesaver. It took him only two practices to get it, but he really picked it up quick and now he really enjoys unbuckling himself once we get in car line. We love this product!" —Alicia RosenbauerGet it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven colors). A rolling backpack because backpacks are just SO HEAVY. These are great for littles and bigs alike, especially if you walk to school. Nothing like saving them a few extra years before back pain sets in. Promising review: "My kids have quite a walk after they get off the bus. so this has been a lifesaver!" —C. it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in different colors). A wobble cushion if you have a kid who JUST. NEEDS. TO. WIGGLE. Desk seats were not made with wiggly kids in mind, so wobble cushions offer some much needed movement without leaving the seat and disrupting class. My ADHD kiddo pretty much lives on this cushion during the school year — LIFESAVER. Promising review: "My son has ADHD, and this was a lifesaver. Lucky for u,s the school approved it for use in the classroom. It's nice because it's lightweight and he can grab it and take it with him wherever he goes. The little nub-like fingers on it work wonders for him. It gives him something to keep his body busy and his little hands. Awesome find!" —LaKeishaGet it from Amazon for $23.74+ (available in six colors and in multipacks). A zipper binder to keep everything in place and zipped up so papers don't go flying. It even has a carrying strap in case their backpack is too small. Say good-bye to papers shoved down at the bottom of the backpack — they've finally thought of everything. Promising review: "This binder was a lifesaver for my middle schooler. The first binder we tried was NOT one of these. It was impossible to carry around, and papers were frequently lost. Then I found this. This binder changed everything and even eased my students' anxiety because it's so much easier to stay organized. The ring itself is sturdy and easy to open and close. There's room in here for work from different classes, and storage for pencils and pens, etc. There is a bonus section of accordion storage, which is excellent for take-home papers or other loose items. Then, it zips closed! This zipper is tough, and it seems to move with ease no matter what. And the icing on the cake is the handle on the spine. This makes it easy to grab the binder and stuff it in a backpack or walk between classes without having to cradle the binder in your arms. We never used the optional shoulder strap, but options are nice. This binder gets an A+." —Rachel WGet it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in 20 designs and in multipacks). A pair of noise-cancelling headphones for your sensory-sensitive kid. These headphones are powerful enough to dull ambient classroom noise, but still allow them to hear the teacher. Even kids without sensory sensitivities love wearing these! Every teacher my kids have had has a basket for communal use. As the parent of a kid with sensory challenges, these are an absolute school-year must-have. Promising review: "Purchased this back in 2021 when my child was 5 years of age. He's now 9 and they still fit perfectly on him. 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A pencil sharpener for at-home use because there's nothing quite as humbling as realizing you have absolutely zero tools to help them do their homework, you know, at home. Promising review: "I am 5-star satisfied with this pencil sharpener that is for different-sized pencils. We use this at home as I have a daughter in Kindergarten, so this has been a lifesaver. Sharpens a pencil easily and quickly within ten seconds. Love it." —Brittany AnnGet it from Amazon for $27.99. A saline spray because your kids are going to be bringing home literally all of the germs. All of them. EVERY LAST FORSAKEN GERM. Saline spray can help clear nasal passages, making colds pass a little quicker. Anything for some relief from the onslaught of fall viruses. Promising review: "Kids always fought me in spraying their noses (we live in the desert) and this spray is so healing, they actually ASK me for it in the morning!!! A lifesaver!" —D DGet it from Amazon for $6.99+ (also available in multipacks).

Hamada Sho: I Can No Longer Feed Kids in Gaza
Hamada Sho: I Can No Longer Feed Kids in Gaza

Time​ Magazine

time7 days ago

  • Time​ Magazine

Hamada Sho: I Can No Longer Feed Kids in Gaza

Bombs rattled in the distance, and debris lay scattered across the empty corridors of Gaza's hospitals. I stood just outside, heart racing, aware that my wife could go into labor at any moment. Seven months into the war, with hospitals crumbling and doctors improvising under dire circumstances, I felt a paralyzing fear for my newborn's arrival. What sort of world would he enter when basic resources had vanished? I never imagined our first child, Nizar, would be born amid the roar of missiles and the stench of scarcity. Before the war I was Hamada Shaqura, known to many as Hamada Sho, a food blogger and digital marketer who celebrated Gaza's vibrant culinary culture. I shared recipes, restaurant stories, and the joy of good food online. But when our home was destroyed, our studio lost, and the war displaced us to Khanyounis's tent camps, cooking became less about flavor and more about survival. Humanitarian rations offered bare sustenance, canned beans, preserved meats, powdered milk, but they lacked any taste or meaning. I could not bear seeing children eat only to live, not to enjoy. In those early weeks I began cooking only for my family, but I could not ignore the children around me. They were surviving on whatever kept them alive, eating the same bland rations every day. I remembered how much food had once meant to me and how it had always been a source of joy and connection. I wanted these children to feel that again, even in the middle of war. Read More: We Can Stop Gazans From Dying of Starvation Right Now. Here's How We Do It Using my background as a food blogger I began experimenting with the limited ingredients available. I tested different recipes and looked for ways to create flavors with what little I had, trying to make each meal feel special. At first the portions were tiny, but the reactions from the children changed everything. They would take a hesitant first bite, their faces still heavy with the trauma of war, and then break into smiles. They started asking for seconds, and sometimes they would ask when I would return with more. That response gave me hope and purpose. I realized I could do more than just cook for a handful of children. I could create something larger that might bring a moment of happiness and comfort to thousands of children who had been deprived of both. As demand grew it became clear I could not do this alone. I reached out to local organizations that were already helping displaced families and many of them welcomed the idea immediately. With their support I was able to secure larger quantities of ingredients and space to cook for hundreds of children at a time. Over time I crafted dishes like chicken curry, pizza wraps made from tortilla crusts, Gazan‑style tacos, burgers, croissants, and even caramel apples or popsicles, all from basic aid‑package items. Watching children line up patiently, their faces lighting up when they tasted something familiar but special, reminded me why this mission mattered. I was no longer just a food blogger documenting life. I had become a cook with a purpose. Their gratitude was overwhelming. Parents told me through tears that these meals were the first time their children had smiled in weeks. Despite the constant danger and scarcity we were creating moments of normalcy and dignity in the middle of chaos. As the months went by the blockade tightened even further. Aid trucks stopped coming and ingredients that had once been scarce became almost impossible to find. The little flour we had left skyrocketed in price. Even something as basic as a bag of flour could cost $1,000. Cooking large quantities of food was becoming unthinkable and I could feel the weight of that reality every day. The most painful part was the children. They would still come to me hoping for a meal or a treat. I remember once going to a camp to distribute food and a boy came up to me holding a small medal with the Palestinian flag on it. He told me that he followed all my videos and was sure I would visit his camp one day so he made this gift for me. Moments like that gave me strength but also broke my heart because I could see the hunger in their faces. After the first ceasefire we returned to the North hoping to find some trace of our old lives. What we found instead was total destruction. There were no homes left standing and no infrastructure to support even the most basic needs. We had to return to the south simply to have a roof over our heads even though it was not home. That short moment of hope quickly gave way to a new and even harsher reality. When the bombing resumed everything became harder. We had no stable shelter and the place we found to rent in the north was barely livable but it was better than staying in a tent. My wife was pregnant again by then and I wanted her to be somewhere clean and safe—far from the heat, dust, and diseases spreading through the camps. But the situation kept worsening. There was no clean water and barely any food. Diapers and baby formula for Nizar disappeared from the market and if we ever found any they were sold at impossible prices. Even when relatives abroad tried to help, the money often lost half its value before we could touch it. To get $50 in cash we had to send someone $100 through the Bank of Palestine mobile banking app. Every part of survival became a tradeoff and a struggle. In the middle of all of this, my father became seriously ill. As he experienced heart problems, he was admitted to the intensive care unit in a hospital with almost no equipment or resources. We tried everything to get him out of Gaza for treatment abroad. He even has an official referral from the World Health Organization but it has been four months and he is still waiting to be allowed to leave. Knowing he is suffering, and I can do nothing to help, has been devastating. I tried to keep cooking simple things when I could. I baked what I could afford and shared it when possible. But eventually even that stopped. I no longer had access to any ingredients. I began helping distribute clean drinking water because that was all I could still do. People would see me on the street and ask when I would cook again. They told me they were hungry. But then they would pause and look at me and say you look so thin. You lost weight too. That hurt What is happening in Gaza today is bigger than my personal story. Hunger has become a weapon. Entire neighborhoods are living on scraps or going whole days without eating. Children are fainting in overcrowded shelters because they have no food. Parents are skipping meals so their children can eat a little more. People are boiling weeds and animal feed to stay alive. Read More: The Malnutrition Crisis in Gaza Will Outlive the War, Experts Warn The mental toll is as heavy as the physical one. When you cannot feed your child you begin to lose hope. I have seen the despair in parents' eyes and the fear in children who no longer believe a real meal will come. Cooking for them was never only about filling their stomachs. It was about giving them dignity and a small moment of joy in a world that has taken almost everything else. I remind myself of this now that I can no longer cook the way I used to. Every plate of food we served meant more than we could measure. It was a way to say we are still here. We are alive and we refuse to be forgotten. In recent weeks, I have spent most of my time helping distribute clean drinking water because it is the only thing I can still do. The children I used to cook for still come to me asking when I will make food again and it breaks my heart to tell them I cannot. But I hold on to the hope that one day soon I will be able to cook for them again and see their faces light up the way they used to. I still believe that small acts of care can change lives. Cooking a meal for a child who has nothing is about more than food. It is about telling them that they matter and that they are not forgotten. Even now, when I feel weaker than I have ever felt, I know that this work must continue. I hope the world does not look away from Gaza's children. They are enduring unimaginable hunger and suffering but they are still here and they still have dreams. All we ask is a chance to live and to rebuild our lives. I want my son Nizar and my unborn daughter to grow up in a place where they can thrive instead of just survive. I want every child in Gaza to feel that same hope.

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