Heal Palestine Seeks Boston-Area Host Family for Injured Teen

As only a young teenager, Rahaf has already faced the horrors of the Israeli bombardment of Palestinians in Gaza. While trying to evacuate with her family in October of 2024, she was hurt in an explosion that burned her legs, thighs and hands and that injured her abdomen with shrapnel.

Her mother and several siblings were killed, and Rahaf’s father was injured in the attack.

Now, Heal Palestine, a nonprofit group, is seeking a host family so 14-year-old Rahaf can undergo treatment in the Boston area.

“We’re seeking a host family that can host her for the duration of her care,” said Heal Palestine social worker, Nur Seirafi, by phone. Seirafi said the hope is Rahaf will be cleared to travel from Gaza to Boston by the end of July. She will be accompanied by her aunt.

“Everyone is welcome to apply, as long as they are willing,” said Seirafi, who added that Heal Palestine is looking for a host family that has an extra room for Rahaf so she can have privacy. The family should also be able to help provide transportation for medical treatment. All applicants will undergo a background check.

As with all of the children served by Heal Palestine, Rahaf will receive mental health care for the trauma she’s endured from her injuries and the ongoing bombardment of Palestine, as well as the loss of her mother and family members.

Founded in 2024, Heal Palestine bills itself as an apolitical, secular U.S.-registered nonprofit group that provides care and long-term support to Palestinian children and families. The group focuses on “health, education, aid and leadership” and provides critical care and resources to injured children.

Since October 2023, more than 17,000 children have been killed and at least 33,000 injured in Gaza, according to UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children.

For information about becoming a host family, click here: https://healpalestine.jotform.com/241335911348152  And for information about being a volunteer, click here: https://healpalestine.jotform.com/251336375799976

Editor's note: Some minor edits were made to this story after it was posted.