Help Afnan to find safety and to complete her education

From the rubble of devastation emerges the resilience of the human spirit. I am Afnan Abu Hasaballah, a testament to the strength and perseverance that define the people of Gaza City. In the midst of chaos and destruction, I stand before you, a 23-year-old nursing graduate with dreams as vast as the horizon.

August 2023 marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication as I proudly received my nursing degree. With aspirations of delving deeper into the field of mental health through a master's program, I envisioned a future filled with purpose and contribution. Little did I know that the tumult of war would shatter those dreams, leaving behind a landscape of ruin and uncertainty.

As bombs rained down and homes crumbled, my university, the beacon of knowledge and hope, was not spared. Yet, amidst the rubble, a glimmer of hope remained. In the orthopedic department of Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, I found solace in serving my community, offering what little comfort I could amidst the chaos.

Now, as the dust settles and the echoes of conflict fade, I stand before you with a new resolve. My heart yearns for peace, for a sanctuary where the pursuit of knowledge is not hindered by the specter of violence. I long to continue my education in a land that values harmony and understanding, far removed from the scars of war.

Today, I extend my hand to you, dear friends, with a plea for support in my quest for a brighter future. Together, let us defy the odds and rebuild not only shattered dreams but also the hope that sustains us. Your generosity will not only pave the way for my education but will also serve as a beacon of hope for generations to come.

Join me in turning the page to a new chapter of resilience and renewal. Together, we can transform adversity into opportunity, and sow the seeds of peace amidst the ashes of this genocide.

• Yes, this is my university, the Islamic university. I graduated from it in August 2023. I dreamed of completing my master’s degree in the specialty I prefer, but the war had a different opinion. The islamic university has been destroyed and became rubble, and my dreams were shattered.

• Al-Shifa Medical Hospital is not just a place, This is the place where we studied, learned and grew up, The occupation destroyed it completely, and all we have left is memories.

• Since the beginning of the war, I worked as a volunteer in the only hospital operating in the central Gaza Strip, Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital, in the orthopedic department, I never imagined, not in my worst dreams, that I would treat medical cases with such difficulty, the situation is catastrophic and tragic.