Help Hussam Finish Medical School in Gaza

From a War Zone to the Operating Room: My Journey to Becoming a Doctor

Hello world! My name is Hussam Abu Ishaiba, and I am a fifth-year medical student at Al-Azhar University – Gaza. My dream is to become a gastrointestinal laparoscopic surgeon, a goal I have fought tirelessly for, even as my world crumbled around me.

Today, I am reaching out with urgency and hope. My education—the very thing that gives me purpose—is slipping away. My home was destroyed, my family lost its source of income, and I can no longer afford my medical studies. But I refuse to give up.

In Gaza, education is not just a challenge; it’s an act of resistance. While the world continued moving forward, I was sitting on the freezing pavement at night, using the dim light of my phone to download my surgery lectures. The internet is unstable, electricity is nearly nonexistent, and life is overshadowed by war—but my passion for learning has never wavered.

I want to complete my studies just like any other student in the world—not as a displaced person fighting for survival, but as a future doctor striving to heal.

When war engulfed Gaza, I didn’t just endure it—I stepped up to help. I volunteered at Al-Aqsa Hospital, where I treated patients with injuries, provided first aid, and even translated for foreign medical teams. I held the hands of the wounded, comforted the dying, and did my best with the little resources we had.

One of the children I cared for—a beautiful soul full of life—was later killed. This is the brutal reality we face every day. But amidst the heartbreak, I am reminded of why I chose medicine: to save lives, to bring hope, and to serve my people.

I once had a home, a place where my dreams were nurtured. Today, it is nothing but rubble. My family and I were forced to flee, leaving behind everything we knew. We now have no life, struggling to meet our basic needs—food, water, warmth.

Yet, even in this darkness, I hold onto one thing: hope.

I have always believed in giving back. I have trained over 500 students in first aid, designed an electronic medical library to help my fellow students, and participated in research projects that aim to improve medical care in Gaza.

But now, I am the one who needs help.

This GoFundMe campaign is my last hope to continue my education. With your support, I can pay for my tuition, purchase essential study materials, and keep moving forward toward my dream of becoming a doctor.

By donating, you are not just helping me—you are investing in the future of Palestinian healthcare. You are ensuring that one day, I can stand in an operating room and save lives, just as I have dreamed for so long.

Every dollar, every share, every word of encouragement brings me one step closer to that goal.

How You Can Help

I want the world to hear my voice from Gaza—a place that has become a wasteland but still holds the dreams of students like me.

Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your belief in a better future ❤️

Hussam