How to Purchase Online Access for Gazans
a step-by-step guide to getting eSims to Gaza
Regardless of how you feel about the politics of Israel and Palestine, I think most people can agree that the bombing and mass murder of civilians is bad. I will be part of a local postcard-writing campaign to call for a cease-fire (details to be found on my Instagram feed); in the meantime, however, many Gazans are still without the internet, and if you’re far-flung from a place where postcard-writing campaigns are occurring, purchasing eSims can be a great way to put your money where it’s very much needed. Getting internet access to Gazans (including medical personnel, journalists, and little girls who are playing handheld video games to remain distracted during a—HUGE understatement here—stressful time).
But wait! For those who aren’t particularly tech-savvy, the process of purchasing eSims can be incredibly complicated. In fact, there’s a person who’s been sending me money so that I can take it to purchase eSims, simply because it’s too hard for them to figure out how to do it. If it’s too complicated for this person, I’m sure that it’s too complicated for a lot of other people as well—which is why I’ve created this newsletter edition.
There are a number of reliable sources from which you can purchase eSims, including Nomad and Holafly; once you’ve purchased the eSims, you’ll receive a QR code for each eSim that will allow a Palestinian to use the internet in Gaza. You’ll screenshot the QR code and send it to (and this is very important) gazaesims@gmail.com. This email address is where you’ll access a sizable number of volunteers who are disseminating the eSims to people who need it. (One of the people who does this is IG user mirna_elhelbawi. Following Mirna will also let you know which kinds of eSims are most needed at any one time.)
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
I mentioned that there are a number of sources from which you can purchase eSims. These sources are Nomad, Simly, and Holafly (my personal favorite).
As mentioned above, the amount of eSims needed by different areas in Gaza are going to vary depending on the day. Following IG user mirna_elhelbawi is a terrific way to stay informed about who most needs eSims at the moment. Really, though, it’s important to DO THE ACTION. Your eSim is needed regardless of which company you decide to purchase through.
Each website has a slightly different way of purchasing the eSim. When it comes down the most basic instructions, this is what you need to do, regardless of website:
DO NOT activate the eSim.
Find the QR code in your email from the company where you purchased the eSim.
Screenshot it.
Send the screenshot (as an image) to gazaesims@gmail.com.
Please make sure the QR code is readable.
It must be a QR code, not a receipt or anything else
Put the expiration date in the subject line (optional)
If #3 is too complicated for you, here are some step-by-steps that I’ve grabbed from the eSims for Gaza site (see below for sources).
Say you’re using Nomad. Go to https://www.getnomad.app/en/middle-east-eSIM. Choose which eSim you can afford. Then click the checkout button. It will take you to a Create Account screen.
Create your account.
It will ask for a passcode. Check your email for a 4 letter code and type it in. It will take you to the next page.
Scroll to the bottom of the checkout page and click the bottom two boxes.
Wait a few seconds for the payment section to pop up and insert your card.
Hit complete purchase and then you’ll see a “Hooray” page.
Go to your email and you’ll see a subject line of: Here is how you access your Nomad plan!
Click on the email and you’ll see a QR code like this:
Forward the email to gazaesims@gmail.com.
And that’s it! The other websites have similar paths to follow. ALWAYS make sure that you’re sending the QR codes to the email address I’ve shared; that is the legitimate site. To learn more about the organization, go here: https://gazaesims.com/esim-purchase-tutorial/
Let’s do the best we can, shall we?
Sources:
Oh this is such great work and so helpful, so pragmatic. Thank you!
Such a good idea, Esmé💜