Ahmed Al-Aliwadi: A Call for Survival and Rebuilding Life

A Heartfelt Plea for Hope, Healing, and Rebuilding

My name is Ahmed Aliwadi, and I am writing to you today as a husband, father, son, and man who has experienced the devastation of war, yet still clings to hope for a better future. I come to you with deep humility, seeking not only your support but your compassion as my family and I navigate one of the most difficult chapters of our lives.

Before the war, I led a simple but fulfilling life. I worked as a motorbike delivery driver, always striving to provide my wife, children, and ailing mother with the best life possible. My wife and our two children were the heart of my existence, and my mother, who suffers from a serious spinal disc condition, required constant care. Despite these challenges, there was always hope—hope that tomorrow could bring a better day. We had our struggles, but we had each other, and our love for one another kept us strong.

However, in the blink of an eye, everything was taken from us.

The Devastating Impact of War

The first days of the bombing were an absolute nightmare. Our home was destroyed, along with everything we had worked so hard to build over the years. My wife sustained a severe head injury in the chaos, leaving her with neurological issues and frequent seizures. Watching her suffer daily is unbearable. No matter how much I try to comfort her, I know she needs more than I can provide.

The war didn’t just take our home—it shattered our sense of security, destroyed our way of life, and tragically, it also took the lives of my brother and cousins, who were caught in the violence. Their loss has been a constant ache in my heart.

After losing everything, we were forced to seek safety. We’ve been displaced, moving from place to place with no permanent refuge. The small, worn-out tent we now live in offers little protection from the harsh winter cold, and each day brings new challenges. Still, despite the overwhelming adversity, I am determined not to let my family lose the love and hope that binds us together. I believe that with the right support, we can rebuild our lives.

The Challenges We Face Today

Every day brings its own set of hardships that I never imagined we would face. Below are some of the immediate struggles my family and I are enduring:

• Lack of Basic Necessities: We face a severe shortage of food, clean water, and essential supplies. Although some aid organizations have assisted us, the help is often insufficient and at times unfit for consumption. We are surviving, but we are not living.

• Medical Needs: My wife’s condition requires ongoing medication—specifically Tegretol 400 CR, which costs $150 each month. But her medication alone is not enough. She and my mother both urgently need to travel to Egypt for specialized medical treatment that could give them a chance at recovery. The cost for this treatment and travel is approximately $7,000 per person, a sum that feels impossible to reach.

• Loss of Livelihood: My motorbike, which was the source of income for our family, was destroyed in the bombing. Without it, I have no means to support my children’s daily needs or cover my wife’s medical expenses. Losing my livelihood has left us in a state of uncertainty, unsure of how to survive from one day to the next.

• Educational Costs for My Children: Despite the unimaginable hardships, I am determined that my children continue their education. They’ve already lost so much, and I refuse to let them lose their future as well. Even basic educational needs, like printing materials and stationery, cost around $50 per child each month. With our finances stretched so thin, I don’t know how long we can maintain this.

Our Hopes for the Future

Even in the face of these overwhelming challenges, I hold on to hope. My goal is not just survival, but to rebuild our lives with dignity and strength. There are several key areas where your support could make a profound difference:

1. Providing Basic Needs: Our immediate priority is to secure enough food, clean water, and warmth to survive. The weekly cost for these necessities is around $150, which is nearly impossible to afford due to our dire financial situation.

2. Securing Medical Treatment: My wife and mother urgently need specialized medical care. We need to raise $14,000 for their treatment and travel to Egypt ($7,000 per person). This medical attention is vital for their survival and quality of life.

3. Rebuilding My Livelihood: Replacing my motorbike would allow me to return to work and provide for my family. The cost of a new motorbike is about $2,000, an amount that we currently cannot afford. This would help me regain my independence and restore some stability to our lives.

4. Supporting My Children’s Education: I want to ensure my children continue their education despite the challenges we face. I’m asking for help with the ongoing educational costs of $50 per child each month. Education is more than learning—it’s a source of healing, hope, and normalcy for my children amid the trauma.

Healing Through Hope

In the midst of the pain and uncertainty, I am also focused on preserving my children’s emotional well-being. I have found that engaging them in creative activities, like free dance (including breakdancing), helps them express their emotions, heal from the trauma, and rediscover some of the joy they once had. Even small efforts like this help bring back a sense of hope, showing them that despite everything, there is still beauty in the world.

How You Can Make a Difference

I know that many people are suffering in this war-torn world, and that’s why I come to you with such humility. Every contribution, no matter how small, will have a profound impact on my family’s life. Your generosity will:

• Restore our basic living conditions.

• Provide essential medical care for my wife and mother, offering them a chance at recovery.

• Help me rebuild my livelihood, enabling me to support my family independently.

• Ensure my children can continue their education, offering them hope for the future.

Your kindness and compassion will do more than just help us survive—it will give us the opportunity to rebuild, to heal, and to find joy in life once more.

A Future of Dignity, Hope, and Love

We are not just survivors—we are a family that still believes in the power of love and hope. Your support will help us rebuild our lives with dignity, and for that, we will be forever grateful.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for opening your heart to our plea. Together, we can give my family the hope we so desperately need to move forward, heal, and rebuild our future.

With deepest gratitude and hope,

Ahmed Aliwadi