YouTube star and children’s educator Rachel Accurso, whose “Songs for Littles” have been viewed billions of times, meets and sings one of her trademark songs with Rahaf, a 3-year-old double amputee from Gaza.

New York

YouTube children's educator Rachel Accurso, known as Ms. Rachel, recently met and sang with Rahaf, a three-year-old double amputee from Gaza. Rahaf lost her legs when her home was bombed and was later medically evacuated to the United States, where she now lives with her mother and a host family in Missouri. Ms. Rachel became aware of Rahaf after seeing a video of her watching “Songs for Littles,” the popular YouTube series that Accurso produces.

After seeing Rahaf engaging with the show, Ms. Rachel arranged for the child to visit her in New York. Rahaf is among a growing group of viewers from Gaza who have found comfort in Ms. Rachel's content. Accurso noted her surprise at discovering her reach among children in refugee situations and has since highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza through her social media platforms.

Ms. Rachel has used her platform to draw attention to the plight of children affected by conflict and has launched fundraising efforts for kids in crisis areas. While she has received support, Accurso has also faced online backlash, including accusations from advocacy groups that she denies. She maintains that her focus is on the well-being of all children, regardless of background.

Rahaf has received medical care in the U.S., including being fitted for prosthetics and learning to walk again, with the assistance of the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund. While Rahaf and her mother are now in the United States, her father and two brothers remain in Gaza. Ms. Rachel emphasized the importance of providing all children with the opportunity to thrive.



YouTube star Ms. Rachel sings with double amputee from Gaza

Let's go back to sleep, Rahaf. We're so tired. This is Miss Rachel, hanging out with her new friend, Rahaf. Miss Rachel is like YouTube's Mr. Rogers, with millions of subscribers and billions of views. Can you nod, yes? And Rahaf is a three-year-old double amputee from Gaza. She lost her legs when her home was bombed, and months later was medically evacuated to the U.S. Miss Rachel saw a video of the little girl, now living with her mom and a host family in Missouri, watching her show. She's just so precious. Hopping like a bunny, and she was kind of hopping on the couch. And arranged to have Rahaf come visit her in New York. Rahaf is part of a new group of fans Miss Rachel discovered last year, refugees of the war in Gaza. I was tagged in a video of a toddler and a brother and a sister watching in a tent, and I saw the toddler swaying and the little girl smile, and I was just so touched that I could bring a little bit of joy to them during unimaginable circumstances. Did you know that you had this audience? No. I was completely surprised. Someone wrote, this made me realize that these kids are like mine and like ours. And I know so many parents that enjoy our show feel the same way. They say as a mom, I just think about, I see my babies. All children are worthy. She's posted more and more about Gaza as the war has gone on, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and launching a fundraiser for kids. She's gotten supportive comments, but there's also been backlash. The bullying is so bad. It's so bad. But I can handle this. You seemed very emotional about the bullying that you said you'd gotten for speaking out. The idea that caring for one group of children means that you don't care for another group of children is false. And it's so hurtful because I care so deeply for all kids. In April, an advocacy group called Stop Antisemitism called her a mouthpiece for Hamas. A group accused you of essentially acting as a foreign agent and asked for the attorney general to investigate you for spreading propaganda. Obviously that's not true. I care deeply about all children, Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish, Muslim, Christian. I wouldn't be Ms. Rachel if I didn't speak up for them and speak up for all of them. Ms. Rachel has also used her platform to express grief over the deaths of Israeli children and said she's met with the family of hostages still in captivity. She's keeping the walker with her. Here in the U.S., Rahaf was fit for prosthetics and has learned how to walk again. A group called Palestinian Children's Relief Fund helped her and her mom get out. But her dad and two brothers are still in Gaza. Anything is possible for Rahaf. She has healthy food, and she has clean water, and she has wonderful medical care. This girl is thriving. We have to do this for all kids because they all deserve that.

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