My name is Adam O'Leary. I'm from Tralee, Co. Kerry. Ireland. I've set up this campaign to help my sister Raghda Hamed and her family who are in Gaza. I've known Raghda for a few years, since before Oct '23. Now she and her family desperately need our help. In the words of Raghda's daughter, Shahd, who Raghda has asked me to dedicate this fundraiser to:

I am Shahd Hamad from wounded and grieving Gaza, the Gaza where hopes and dreams have been buried.

Since I was young, I worked hard in my studies. I loved learning very much. I studied with one goal in mind: to excel and study medicine so I could become a doctor and help my people in Gaza. And indeed, I struggled and persevered despite the difficulties, achieving first place in every stage of my education until I reached high school.

The disaster was a war that spared neither young nor old, neither student nor worker. It destroyed everything: schools, universities, centres, everything in the truest sense of the word. But we did not surrender to ignorance despite the war. We continued education through the internet, despite the difficulties that we cannot summarize in these lines.

So I, Shahd, decided to complete my high school studies through the internet. I faced many difficulties, including being displaced several times in tents, the bombing of my family’s house and the martyrdom of a large number of them, as the occupation committed one of the most heinous massacres at that time, as well as the power outage and the internet outage for a long time, and the lack of books and study materials.

But I was determined to continue my studies and more determined than ever to achieve my dream of studying medicine. Every time I was displaced, all I thought about was carrying my pen and the mobile phone I used to study on when I moved from place to place. I continued my studies and we took the high school exams under extremely difficult circumstances, and I achieved a 99% average. I honoured my family and my country with this grade and excellence. It seemed as though the dream of studying medicine was within reach. It will happen. I've always aspired to study medicine and I was confident in my ability to do it. But I was confronted with the harsh reality in Gaza. Circumstances changed around us because of the war; the circumstances were stronger than all of us. The war destroyed our ambitions, our universities, the educational path we deserved, and my family's economic situation became .It's incredibly difficult, and studying medicine in Gaza is prohibitively expensive and unimaginable for me and my family, who can barely afford to feed me and my siblings.

My dream is almost over, but I appeal to all people of humanity and conscience around the world to help me and stand by me so I can achieve my goal and serve my people in Gaza.

From Raghda:

"Sometimes difficult circumstances are stronger than a person and force them to speak. We are a Palestinian family from Gaza, displaced many times during the genocidal war. They bombed my family's homes, slaughtered our family members, and martyred most of my relatives. The deafening sound of the bombs echoed in our shelter, leaving behind a scene of unbelievable horror and despair. In an instant, I lost dear family members,I saw my neighbors injured, their screams echoing through the rubble. My house was severely damaged, barely habitable. We also abandoned it as the war raged again, and we were displaced once again.

We are now displaced again. I may lose count of the number of times we have been displaced.

My family of nine is in need of food, water, and clothing, as there is no work, no money, and no source of income.

We survive on aid provided by organizations like UNRWA. But now, with the crossing closed for more than 40 days now, food is running out and what is available is very, very expensive. We can barely provide a single meal for our children to survive. They literally starve every day. The living, health and social conditions have become extremely difficult. The war knows no mercy. My dreams and those of my family have been cruelly shattered. However, amidst the rubble of my shattered aspirations, there remains a glimmer of hope - your kindness and generosity. With your support and generous donations, I long to escape the cycle of violence.And to leave the borders of Gaza, and continue my journey in this life with my family so that I can provide them with a decent life and complete their education outside Gaza, as most of my children are in high school. I am trying to protect my children and rebuild my home. We love life and living in peace, but the Israeli occupation prevents us from living in peace and security. Stand with humanity, with childhood, support us and support the lives of children by donating via the link or share it with your friendsPlease join me in restoring hope to a life shattered by tragedy. Your contribution is not just a donation; it is a lifeline, a beacon in the darkness, guiding me toward a brighter tomorrow. Together, let us rebuild shattered dreams and forge a path toward a future filled with promise and opportunity.

With gratitude and hope."