Ms. Rachel’s online videos are often filled with bright images and upbeat songs to help children learn their numbers and colors.
But on May 16th, the preschool teacher turned YouTube star best known for her “Songs for Littles” series, shared a dark video On Instagram It is TikTok saying she was the target of online “bullying” after launching a fundraiser to help children in war-torn areas, including the Gaza Strip.
“Bullying is bad. It’s so bad, but I can deal with it,” says Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Accurso, in the video, wiping away tears.
“To say that I don’t care about all the children is like it hurts a lot. This is who I am. I love my neighbor. I love all children. Imagine for a second what a mother is going through, unable to feed her child, give her clean water or keep her safe,” she says in the video.
Accurso reiterated in her caption that she cares “deeply about all children.”
“Palestinian children, Israeli children, children in the US – Muslim children, Jewish children, Christian children – all children, in all countries. None are excluded,” she wrote.
“To do a fundraiser for children who are starving – who have no food or water – who are being killed – is human,” said the mother of two added.
Accurso representatives did not immediately respond to TODAY.com’s requests for comment.
Accurso’s fans on TikTok responded sympathetically to her tearful video.
“Ah Ms. Rachel, from the bottom of my babies’ hearts and mine, we love you and know how much you care about each child’s health/happiness/well-being,” one wrote.
In her Instagram video, Accurso disabled comments on that post and several others.
Accurso announced its fundraising initiative in a video on May 12th. The YouTube star explained his plan to create videos for children on celebrity video messaging site Cameo and then give “every penny” to the nonprofit Save the Children humanitarian emergency fund to help children living in conflict areas across the country. the world, including Gaza, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine are currently not active in Israel.
“I hope I can make the little ones smile by giving them a personal video and then the money will go to helping more children who are living in unimaginable circumstances,” she said. “Children should never experience the horrors of war. These are serious violations of your human rights. Children must be protected.”
Days later, Accurso announced in an update that she had already raised $50,000 after receiving 500 requests for Cameo videos and was forced to pause her initiative to fulfill the requests.
This article was originally published in TODAY.com
