Food as Medicine for Palestine's PKU Kids

Good News! With your support, we were able to bring low-protein food to 157 PKU children in Gaza.

Because of the war, PKU children were deprived of a low-protein diet and special medical food supplements they needed to stay healthy. Fresh vegetables and fruits were either missing from the market or too pricey. When the volunteers contacted PKU families, they learned that some of the children were already showing symptoms. Chef Sanable, with two PKU children, told us that her son has a constant headache while others told us that their children’s hair color has changed.  

Siraj, an 18-year-old boy suffering from PKU was leading a healthy life before the war. His two sisters also suffer from PKU. Their family has always been diligent about their health, with regular medical examinations to ensure they remain symptom-free. Known for his exceptional memory and determination, Siraj aspired to become a doctor and was in his first year of medicine, a dream his father proudly supported. 

After the war, access to nutrition and doctors became impossible. Siraj began experiencing troubling symptoms: excessive nervousness and forgetfulness, affecting his psychological state. He became withdrawn, preferring solitude over social interactions.

Rebuilding Alliance, in partnership with Ard El Insan, successfully traced 157 PKU families in Gaza. Due to the war and frequent displacement, we lost connection with them. We worked with a team of volunteers from Ard El Insan in Gaza who contacted the Ministry of Health to locate the children. Everything, including the data, was destroyed in the war. Because of the lack of electricity, people can’t charge their phones, making communication difficult. It was not an easy job, but we persevered and located PKU families and compiled a list. We then went on to conduct a detailed survey so that we could understand their needs. 

Dr. Mohammed, a nutritionist in Gaza, is leading the PKU project on a voluntary basis. He’s also a kitchen lead at one of Rebuilding Alliance’s kitchens in Gaza, a hot meals program that feeds 55,000 people every day. Working under his guidance, we worked on putting together a food basket for the PKU children.

During the "Polio Pause" in Gaza, volunteers distributed food baskets to 112 families. Each basket contained enough vegetables, fruits, and canned food to last a week. The distribution took place in three phases in different areas of Gaza: Deir al Balah and Al Nusirat in the central Governorate, Khan Younis in the South, and Gaza City in the North. Later, on September 24th and October 1st, volunteers distributed food parcels to 35 families in Khan Younis. Ten families in the North also received food baskets on October 3rd. In total, 157 PKU families received food parcels.

Dr. Mohammed went to see Siraj. Siraj said it was the first time they had received support since the war started. He asked, “Will the food basket continue, or is it only for one time?” 

Siraj shared, “I want to achieve my dream of becoming a doctor, and I don’t want to depend on others.” His words were filled with a quiet resolve that was both inspiring and heartbreaking. Despite the hardships, Siraj’s spirit remained unbroken. His story is a testament to the resilience and determination of those who, even in the face of adversity, continue to strive for their dreams.

Thanks for supporting PKU children and providing them with the stability they need in their lives amid ongoing challenges. With your support, we aim to supply them with weekly food baskets and the necessary food supplements to help them stay healthy. 

Links:

• Restoring Health, Providing Special Food to PKU
• Bringing critical nutrition, stability to PKU children in Gaza
• Impact of the Gaza War on the Health of a Boy