Help a doctoral student save his parents

After 200 days, I decided enough was enough. My name is Ahmed Alsaftawi, and I am a PhD student in molecular biology and genetics at Koç University. For the past eight months, my academic journey has been overshadowed by another war in Gaza, my hometown. My excitement about scientific discoveries has been overshadowed by the constant worry for my family’s safety. They have evacuated 11 times, barely escaping death each time. The anxiety and helplessness I feel, being so far away, often overwhelm me, giving rise to panic attacks despite my efforts to remain optimistic. I constantly remind myself that difficult times require fortitude. After losing our home with no ceasefire in sight, our struggle has transcended beyond comfort—it's now about survival, especially with the imminent attack in Rafah. I am therefore reaching out for your generosity to help secure the funds to safely evacuate my family from Gaza.

The last time I saw my family was in 2021, during a visit to Gaza after completing two years of my undergraduate studies in Turkey. I had plans to return after my graduation the following summer to celebrate and take a short break before resuming my academic pursuits. My father, who has supported me throughout my educational journey, encouraged me to take an Erasmus+ internship in Germany over the summer. With a heavy heart, I pursued this path, not realizing it would further delay my reunion with my family. Now, I eagerly await the day I can embrace my mother again.

My family endures the relentless reality of conflict with remarkable resilience and hope. We are a middle-class family, each with our own unique talents. My younger sister Batool is the quiet entrepreneur, always embarking on new projects. Even as I sought scholarships to get by, she launched an online store selling beautiful handmade products. At just 13, she taught herself photography and saved enough to buy a professional camera. Her Instagram page became so popular in Gaza that she began charging for photoshoots while still in high school. Now studying accounting in her second year at the Islamic University in Gaza, Batool dreams big. It's my deepest wish for her to pursue these dreams in safety, away from the chaos of war.

https://www.instagram.com/batool_alsaftawi?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Above is a link to my sister Batool’s photography page project.

My father is a man of strong principles, known and loved throughout our community. As a journalist, he was dedicated to truth and education. Later, as a public servant in the Gaza municipality, he served with honesty and dignity. Even after retiring, he continues to stand up for what he believes is right, always pushing me to be the best version of myself. His teachings guide me every day, and it pained me deeply that he couldn’t attend my graduation. However, I still hope that he will be there at my PhD defense, because I owe all my achievements to him.

My mother is an extraordinary woman, the kindest and most loving person you could meet. With her wide smile and soft voice, she has the unique ability to befriend everyone. As a retired high school teacher with over 20 years of service, she has impacted many lives. Before the war, she was active in charitable projects, helping to start small businesses for the unemployed. The ongoing conflict has been particularly brutal for her, as she witnesses the systematic destruction of her community and the suffering of people, she has known all her life. The emotional toll it has taken on her is immense, and it is now my turn to try to get her the safety and peace she desperately needs.

Today, I am making a desperate plea to you, kind-hearted individuals around the world, for your support. Your contributions will enable me to arrange a safe evacuation for my family to a place where they can rebuild their lives free from fear and turmoil. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in the lives of my loved ones. Your empathy and generosity have the power to turn despair into hope and darkness into light.