[Note: Since Go Fund Me only operates in certain countries, this has been set up by Julia and Marie on behalf of Ahmed. All funds will be transferred to him as soon as possible on a rolling basis.]

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My Name is Ahmed Shehada, I am a 36 year old doctor who has studied, worked, and lived my whole life in Gaza, Palestine

Throughout my life the occupation has never given us the chance to live a normal life, I had to forget a lot of my dreams in order to cope with the life we were forced to live.

We have survived several military escalations since my childhood, but this is by far the most brutal war we have ever experienced, and it tears my heart apart seeing my two children who are now 8 and 3 living through this again.

During this war, we have been through life-threatening situations several times, and thankfully we have survived them. We left our home and moved from place to place seeking safety for our family, and we have been living in a tent for several months.

All I want in this life is to be able to provide a better life for my children, wherever that may be.

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I met Ahmed the first time I went to Gaza to deliver school supplies to children in 2010, and despite Gaza’s isolation, I was lucky to return and see him in 2011, and again 2013 when I went to work with UNRWA. Ahmed has the kindest soul and and has always just tried to do good in the world, never asking for anything.

Since the moment I met him, I was in awe of all he had accomplished despite the circumstances in Gaza. He learned multiple languages (his English and German are impeccable!) in hopes of studying medicine abroad. Unfortunately that wasn’t possible, so he did the best he could and became a doctor in Gaza and married the love of his life, Hadeel. Together they have raised a beautiful family and done their best despite it all.

We have kept in touch - and not always very well - but always checked in when it was important. After the war in Gaza began, I reached out constantly making sure he, Hadeel, Neshan, and Joumana were ok. For a while they were and when I asked Ahmed early on if he would leave Gaza with things getting worse, he always said no - it was home. His home has since been badly damaged (as are the homes of the rest of his family), and they’ve been living in a tent on and off just trying to do the best they can. Ahmed is determined to find opportunity for his family, be it inside or outside of Gaza. If nothing else, he will rebuild. Gaza is home, after all, and all he and Hadeel want is for their children to grow up somewhere safe, peaceful, and filled with the love of family and friends All funds raised for them will be used to ensure a safe future for them all.