Dear Friends and Kind-hearted Souls,

I never thought I’d write something like this.

My name is Abood, I’m 22 years old, and until recently, I was a third-year Electrical Engineering student at the Islamic University in Gaza.

Like most young people, I had dreams. I wasn’t asking for much, just a chance to finish my education, get a degree, and help lift my family out of hardship. My parents were so proud of me, and my younger siblings looked up to me. I was the first in my family to get this far in university, and I wanted to build something better for all of us.

But everything changed overnight.

Not only did the war destroy our universities and dreams, but it also reduced our family home, a place filled with love, memories, and gatherings, to rubble, as shown in the attached photo.

My family and I are going through unimaginable hardship our home is gone, and we are left with nothing; we are seven in total: my father, my mother, myself, three brothers, and one sister, all of us struggling daily to find food to eat, clean water to drink, clothes to wear, a safe place to sleep, and medical care for our basic needs we are doing our best to stay strong, but we can’t make it without your help and kindness.

In the very first days of the war, I was injured during one of the bombings.

This photo was taken at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where I was rushed for treatment.

I was lucky to survive, but nothing has been the same since then.

The physical pain was only the beginning. The deeper wound is what the war left behind: our home in ruins, our dreams on pause, and our lives turned upside down.

I still carry the scars not only on my body, but in my heart.

And yet, in that moment of pain, I raised my hand with a peace signnot as a symbol of surrender, but as a message of hope.

Hope that someone will see us.

Hope that someone will care.

I hope we can rebuild together.

I’m doing my best to continue my university education online, despite everything we’re going through. Education is my dream my way to rebuild, to grow, and to help others in the future. But even studying has become a challenge. I currently study online, but it comes with costs I simply cannot afford. Each semester costs around $1500, which includes tuition fees, internet access, electricity, and printing books and materials. In Gaza, internet and electricity are not always available they are limited and only accessible in certain paid locations. I walk long distances just to find a place where I can charge my device and connect to the internet. I don’t want to give up on my dream, but I cannot do it alone. Your support could help me complete my education and build a better future not just for me, but for my family and community.

Please know that even the smallest donation can bring light into our darkest days. Here in Gaza, the only crossing is closed, and no real aid is allowed in. Prices of basic goods have become unbearably high, and even when help does come, up to 40% is lost to merchant fees and exploitation. Still, we try to hold on to hope. We try to survive. But we can’t do it alone.

If you cannot donate, please share this with someone who can.

Your kindness, your compassion even just your voice can change our lives.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with us.