A Plan is Born

One than can be self-sustaining whatever happens

So Mahmoud and I texted at length, and he told me it’s increasingly hard to make any money at the market, as the traditional trading clans have reconstituted and set prices that no small-bore interloper like Mahmoud can undercut. (He’s basically buying retail and selling just a little higher. $20 a day is very meager for his family to live on - and not always that, even.) So I inquired what the feasibility was of him setting up a solar power station where residents of his tent city could come to recharge their phones. He had already researched it - but assumed it was out of reach financially, so hadn’t brought it up. He would need about $4000 total, $1000 each for three solar panels, and then a large battery and a converter with the rest. But because of broker’s fees, that would mean sending him $6000 - and the notion of these intermediaries getting 25% is simply not acceptable to me, even if I had the money to send. He did say that rumors abound that ATM’s will return, and that would at least bring the amount down by two thousand. With a solar station he could make $100-$150 day, without physical stress on him and no more financial help needed from me or you. Even in the best case scenario, I doubt if the electricity grid will be restored for at least a year (at the earliest), and if he’s making a good income, he could actually begin to rebuild his family home. (Or a least have electricity in his tent when building. Maybe even rent refrigerator space out - if, miraculously, refrigerators become available.)

So, we’ll wait and see about the return of the ATMs, but I actually feel quite buoyed by this prospect of independence for Mahmoud (and relief for me.) I am due that Boy Scout settlement in December, but I also think my donors would be likely to give one last time if they know it’s the last time, so wouldn’t have to shoulder it myself.

I also read that Israel is considering letting foreign reporters into Gaza now, and using the best email address I could find, I wrote to Ayman Mohyeldin, because I truly think my relationship with Mahmoud, particularly the aspect of how many of my friends began regularly contributing, would make for a great story. He could meet with Mahmoud there and me here and maybe even interview a few of you. I’m sure it would make me a target of some online trolls, but it would be worth it, especially if some benefactor saw it and helped out with these solar panels.

It’s a long shot, but once in a while, my aim is good. (And if he says no, or doesn’t respond, I could write to other foreign correspondents.)

MCO 2025

P.S. My NY host is making progress. She’s out of the ICU. Baby steps, but she was able to ask after me, specifically. Wanted to make sure I had been “well-accommodated.”