Help Nada, winner of the Hands Up 2023 poetry competition

If you know the work of the Hands Up Project, you may have read three of Nada's poems in the book Moon Tell Me Truth. It's even more wonderful to know that her poems, like the others in the book, was written by a student under fifteen, for whom English was a second language.

She writes:

"My name is Nada, and I carry with me a story of hope and resilience amidst the challenges of life. I come to you with a dream, one that not only holds the promise of a brighter future for me but also the possibility of reuniting my fractured family.

In the heart of Gaza, where every day presents its own trials, my family and I have faced our fair share of hardships. My father, a pillar of strength, is battling cancer in Egypt having my older siblings with him to pursuing their education. Meanwhile, my mother and I remain in Rafah, separated from our loved ones by borders and circumstances.

Amidst this chaos, a beacon of hope has emerged. I've been granted a scholarship to attend United World Colleges in South Africa. It's an opportunity of a lifetime, promising an education that transcends borders and fosters understanding.

However, the challenges we face have multiplied. We've been told to evacuate Rafah, leaving us with nowhere to go. The fear of being stuck here and losing the scholarship, the chance of meeting my father in his final stages of cancer, weighs heavily on my heart.

But here's where I need your kindness and generosity. Reuniting with my family and pursuing my education requires resources beyond my reach. The journey from Gaza to Egypt, and eventually to South Africa, is fraught with financial challenges, from travel expenses to documentation costs.

Your support can bridge this gap and make my dreams a reality. Your donation, no matter the amount, will bring me closer to my family and closer to the education that will empower me to make a difference in the world.

By contributing to this campaign, you're not just helping me; you're offering hope to a family torn apart by circumstances beyond our control. Your compassion can turn a dream deferred into a journey of possibility and promise.

Thank you for taking the time to hear my story. Your empathy and generosity mean more to me than words can express. Together, let's rewrite the narrative of hardship and separation with one of hope, resilience, and possibility."

With heartfelt gratitude,

Nada

Nada's dream is to be an Architect. Actually she dreams of studying at MIT and starting her own company, leading the field of architectural engineering in the Middle East, and taking the responsibility for the development of Palestinian land.

She's also a gifted painter.

Thank you so much!

Heather Kiernan

Hands Up Project affiliate

Scottish Borders, 2024