HopeNest
Where war-affected children find safety, healing, and hope - because every child deserves more than survival, they deserve a future.
HopeNest is a registered, volunteer-led humanitarian organisation devoted to the healing and wellbeing of war-affected children.
Born out of a promise to stand with children like Hanan and Mesk – two young sisters from Gaza who survived the unthinkable – HopeNest now operates in Gaza, Cairo, Sydney and beyond, delivering trauma recovery programs, essential aid, and medical evacuation support for children injured or displaced by war.
We partner with local psychologists, hospitals, government and community leaders to offer expressive therapies, equine-assisted healing, and access to life-saving treatment pathways. Our mission is to help children not only survive – but feel safe, valued, and able to dream again.
HopeNest proudly upholds a 100% donation policy – ensuring every dollar goes directly to the field, with all administrative costs covered independently.
Every contribution helps restore dignity, spark joy, and build a future rooted in hope.
Our Board
Mostafa Elshazly - Board Director | Egypt Representative
With deep compassion for the people of Gaza and the devastation following October 7, 2023, Mostafa Elshazly felt called to make a tangible difference. That calling became personal on September 3, 2024, when he learned of Hanan and Mesk, two young girls from Gaza who had lost limbs in the conflict. Treating them as his own children, Mostafa worked alongside Tatiana Salazar and Mariam Khan to help Hanan and Mesk.
Over five challenging months, they faced repeated rejections from occupation authorities before securing the girls’ evacuation to Egypt through the World Health Organization. Mostafa personally oversaw their safe arrival at hospital, remaining awake for two days to ensure their care.
This first case became a turning point, igniting his ongoing commitment to help children affected by war in Gaza and beyond. For Mostafa, this work reflects the best of who he is and the purpose he is determined to fulfil.
Tatiana Salazar - Founder & Executive Director
Tatiana Salazar is a trauma therapist, author, and the founder of HopeNest.
With over 15 years of experience in couple and family therapy, Tatiana brings a deeply relational lens to her humanitarian work – shaped by her understanding of trauma, attachment, and emotional resilience. While her clinical work continues to support couples around the world, HopeNest is where her passion for global justice and child-focused care comes to life.
Tatiana has led medical evacuations from Gaza, co-developed trauma recovery programs in Cairo, and introduced equine therapy as a powerful tool for healing war-affected children. Her work is grounded in the belief that safety and connection are fundamental to every child’s ability to heal and thrive.
Tatiana continues to walk between worlds – therapist and advocate, mother and trailblazer – building bridges of care wherever they are most needed.
Max Schneider - Board Director
Max holds qualifications in Psychotherapy and Counselling, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, and Training and Assessment.He has over 15 years’ experience in trauma counselling and recovery, including as a child and adolescent counsellor for the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) for over 7 years.
He has delivered counselling training and coaching workshops in Australia, Indonesia and Argentina and has held senior positions at the crossroads of counselling and education, including as School Liaison Officer training hundreds of educators working with students from refugee backgrounds and in communications and policy development for the Australian department of Education and Training.
Nat Williams - Board Director
Natalie Williams is a principal policy advisor to government specialising in human services.
She has a professional background in law, advocacy, and public relations, and previously served as board chair for an Australian non-profit advocacy network. Natalie’s public service career in Communities and Justice includes senior roles in child safety, wellbeing reform, and innovation.
Natalie is married to Ben and lives in Sydney’s northern beaches with her daughter Maxine, her stepchildren Amos and Evie, and her cavoodle Neville.