KAPA‘A — Words cannot describe the horror innocent children must be going through in the war-stricken Gaza Strip. Carla Daniels and Jessica Perry of Kapa‘a are passionate about reversing the situation and hope to travel to Gaza at the end
KAPA‘A — Words cannot describe the horror innocent children must be going through in the war-stricken Gaza Strip.
Carla Daniels and Jessica Perry of Kapa‘a are passionate about reversing the situation and hope to travel to Gaza at the end of the month with an international delegation called CODEPINK — Women for Peace — in an attempt to provide humanitarian aid to those children in need.
“If we can’t get aid in through governments, then we’ll do it ourselves,” Daniels said on Saturday afternoon after hosting an all-you-can-eat community breakfast fundraiser created in an effort to generate funds necessary to travel to the formidable region.
“Participating in this delegation is a very positive action,” Perry said. “I’m very inspired by what CODEPINK is doing because this is the first time in history when it’s possible for a group of woman from all over the world to spontaneously put aside their personal lives and show up and say … this is about the women and children.”
Children comprise more than half of Gaza’s population and are currently struggling with high rates of homelessness, malnutrition and depression, according to CODEPINK.
Sixty members of the delegation recently penetrated the Gaza borders in recognition of International Woman’s Day, where focus was given primarily to helping women of the plagued region.
If the organization is able to cross the border this time, the focus will be centered on the children and supplies, including those for school and a new playground, will be brought in.
“Usually when we hear about the Middle East, we only hear the depressing news … it’s inspiring to be a part of something that’s truly a people’s movement,” Perry said.
Daniels agreed, saying, “We have more power as individuals than we realize.”
Both women feel the importance of representing Kaua‘i because of the strong military presence on the islands.
“I believe that the military in Hawai‘i puts the residents at personal risk, just by its presence here alone,” Perry said.
“In the long run, if there was another attack, this would be a place that would be targeted because of its military presence,” she said. “I really think it impacts the community.”
Ann Wright, a retired United States Army colonel and retired official of the U.S. State Department who resigned in protest of the Iraq War, recently made an appearance on Kaua‘i to publicly discuss the realities of military affairs.
“She reminded us that you can be from a military family, you can have a military background and still support our troops, yet be against occupation or war against civilians; it doesn’t make you unpatriotic to question our military involvement around the world,” Perry said.
Daniels added that even though American armed forces are not present in Gaza, the U.S. Department of Defense is reportedly spending billions of dollars in support of the Israeli government.
“The people in Gaza really don’t have any other options right now,” Perry said. “One thing I think is so beautiful about this delegation is that it’s the people rising up and trying to give them other options. They don’t just have to support Hamas and violence and they don’t have to lie down and let the tanks roll over them either.”
Both women aspire to bring back as much information as possible to share with the people of Kaua‘i.
“If we manage to cross the border, we have about a week to just absorb as much as possible so we can share that when we come back out,” Perry said.
Both women need to raise about $2,000 each, according to Daniels, and monies would cover all expenses and provide a “sizable sum directly to children’s organizations in Gaza.”
“We really do feel it’s important to represent Kaua‘i. We have faith that there’s someone out there who wants to support this trip and maybe would like to go themselves but can’t,” Perry said.
Daniels and Perry added that if sufficient funds are not raised for them to go, they will send all donations to CODEPINK.
Donation boxes can be found at Papaya’s Natural Foods & Cafe in Kapa‘a and Shaka Tacos.
For more information on how to make a contribution, send an e-mail to anotherworldispossible@yahoo.com
For more information on CODEPINK, visit www.codepink4peace.org
