Hello, My name is Liz, I'm a Northerner living in South East England working in the arts. I am hosting this fundraiser for my friend Marah in Gaza. I am in awe of this brave and intelligent young woman and the resilience she and her family have shown in very difficult circumstances. Marah is destined to do wonderful things and she needs our support to continue her education. If you can support in anyway I promise she will make us all proud. Here is her plea in her own words:

My name is Marah Abu Aita, I am from Deir Al Balah in Gaza, and I am a student majoring in English literature with a minor in translation at the Islamic university of Gaza.

I have a deep commitment to education and great passion for teaching English. I have recently been offered a place to pursue a Master’s degree at the University of Limerick in TESOL, a step that represents not only an academic achievement but a life-changing opportunity for me and my family.

Growing up in challenging circumstances, I have always believed that education is the most powerful tool for change. Despite the difficulties I have faced, including losing our family home and being displaced 7 times, I have worked hard to excel in my undergraduate studies (maintaining a cumulative GPA of 88%) and actively sought opportunities to improve my English and develop my academic skills. These experiences shaped my ambition to become an educator who can inspire others and contribute meaningfully to my community.

Being accepted into this program is a dream come true, but unfortunately, I am unable to afford the costs associated with studying abroad, including tuition fees, living and travel expenses, and other basic needs.

My family is facing extreme hardship in Gaza with no stable income and no stable housing; therefore, I cannot rely on them for financial support.

That is why I am reaching out for your help. Your support will not only help me continue my education but will also empower me to achieve my goals and give back to others in the future. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings me one step closer to this opportunity.

Please give generously and be part of my story.

• Tuition fees for my programme are 18K euros

• On campus accommodation 7.2k euros for the whole year

• Travel/ visa/ health insurance expenses cost around 3k euros

• Other expenses (study materials, food etc) 2k euros

Thank you for believing in me and being part of my journey.

N.B. All funds will be held in a bank account set up exclusively to support Marah and used as above to pay for tuition, accommodation, travel and expenses. Marah will be sharing her journey with us and we will update you throughout her studies.