Hi everyone, my name is Jennie Cane, a Canadian living in New Westminster (unceded Qayqayt territory) , and I am managing this campaign for my dear friend, Yousra Al-Khatib. We have developed a sisterly friendship over the past 6 months and speak by video or text almost every day. Yousra is one of the most hardworking and brilliant young women I’ve ever met. Despite the unimaginable hardships she is facing in Gaza, she has never lost sight of her dream to become a dentist. She studied under the harshest conditions, studying in a tent on paper while enduring bombs, and earned a 94.4% GPA. Her resilience in these circumstances is admirable.

​I am hosting this fundraiser because Yousra is at a crossroads and lacks the financial means to continue her studies in Gaza. Below is Yousra’s story in her own words.

​My name is Yousra Al-Khatib, I am 19 years old, and I am a first-year Dentistry student at the University of Palestine. Over the past two and a half years, my family and I have faced war, displacement, and a cost of living that is nearly impossible. We have lost loved ones and struggled with fear and uncertainty, yet I refused to let my education slip away. I studied under hard conditions and I want to continue my studies to become a dentist—to heal, to restore smiles, and to give back to a community that has suffered so much.

The Reality Now:

I have secured my seat at the University of Palestine, but I cannot pay my tuition. My family has no steady income, and the cost of books, medical tools, and daily transportation makes it impossible to continue without help. For one academic year, I need approximately $12,000 CAD to cover tuition, school books, training equipment and living expenses. Without this support, I may have to pause my studies, a heartbreaking outcome and one that will delay my progress in life.

My Promise:

I am not asking for a handout, I am asking for an investment in a future dentist. Every contribution, no matter the size, is a little bridge that allows me to stay in school. And here is my promise: when I graduate, I will pay it forward, treating those who cannot afford care and serving my community as the dentist it needs. Your support is the lifeline to this dream. If you cannot donate, please help by sharing this campaign with others. Every share increases my chance to stay in school. Thank you for your care and consideration.