Help Lena Rebuild Her Future Through Education

My name is Elizabeth Barnes. I am a U.S. citizen posting on behalf of Lena. She previously had another fundraiser that earned $205 but neither Lena nor the organizer of the original fundraiser are able to access the account anymore, so Lena has decided to start over. Kindly read her story below:

"My name is Lena, a young girl from Gaza. I carry in my heart a big dream and a determination that knows no despair. Since I was young, art and design have been my mother tongue, where every piece of furniture and every mural tells a story of my creativity.

"But then came war like a devastating storm, sweeping away my dreams as tornadoes do everything in their path. Its conflicts surpassed destruction into my small world, leaving me no choice but to leave my studies and escape in search of shelter and safety. Each day became a sad evening of fading dreams and vanishing hopes.

"With every shell that fell, my education and future hung in the balance, but I refused to give up because I know dreams only die when we let go of hope. I've always had hope that I will return to carve on paper and walls everything my imagination holds.

"I want to learn, to grow, to change my life and the lives around me with my ability for creativity and optimism. I hope to complete my university studies in architecture and interior design, to bring to the world all the beauty that a passionate mind can create.

"So here I am today, asking for your help to fund my education and also to help with my daily living expenses. Your donations are not just money but hope embodied in my life, helping me achieve my dreams. I promise that every effort will go towards success and showing the world a glimpse of the beauty I can create.

"I promise that every moment in my life spent at university will be dedicated to learning, growth, and rebuilding everything that war has destroyed. I will work diligently and determinedly to be the best I can be, to bring back to my community a drop of hope and beauty.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for making my dream a tangible reality.

With all my love and appreciation,

Lena"