My name is Ryan, I'm a photographer and creative living in Hollywood, California for the past five years. A few weeks ago, I received a message on Instagram from someone I didn’t know, a young man named Qasem Qudiah from Gaza. He wasn’t asking for money. He wasn’t asking for help. He was simply asking for prayer. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was real. But when he followed up with a video call, I felt compelled to answer. That one moment opened the door to a connection that has since impacted me deeply. On the other end of the screen, I met Qasem, his mother Samar, and his three sisters who live in a tent by the sea. Despite their circumstances, they greeted me with kindness, humility, and grace.

Qasem had seen my photography on Instagram, and we began talking about creativity, survival, and the kind of dreams that keep you going even when nothing else can. We connected over the desire to build something meaningful, and over the quiet understanding that no matter where we're from, we all want our lives to count for something.

As we talked more, Qasem shared with me that his home was destroyed and his father lost his life. His mother, once a teacher, still teaches children in the tents, despite everything she’s lost. Once a passionate student and bodybuilder, Qasem is now fighting for survival, is in constant pain and without the basic essentials: food, clean water, electricity, and medical care. Shrapnel tore through his body, damaging his colon and kidneys. He survived emergency surgery, but the pain hasn't stopped. Although there is access to the proper follow-up care that could save or even stabilize his condition, it is costly.

Even in the midst of this, when I shared with him that I was working on opening a family business, his very first response was to pray for me. He asked God to bless our work, to make our endeavors successful. Since meeting him, Qasem has become a quiet source of encouragement for me, something I never expected. He teaches me Arabic. He gives thoughtful feedback on design ideas. He cheers me on and looks forward to any good news. And all the while, he goes without food. He endures physical pain. And he never complains.

Qasem told me that since we've been communicating, he’s dreaming again. Not just about surviving the day, but about building a real future. He wants to learn stock trading. He wants to be a business owner. He wants to design and make his own clothes, learn more about photography, and create things that matter. He wants to help others because he knows what it feels like to stand in the need. Please consider doing the same, for him.

We're raising funds to get Qasem urgent surgery and recovery, and to help his family survive.

Here’s where your donation will go:

We estimate $10,000-15,000 will cover the total cost for travel, surgery, and short-term support.

FAQs (Answering what you might be wondering)

Why can’t Qassem make a GoFundMe himself?

GoFundMe is not available in Gaza or Palestine. He can’t create a page or receive direct funds from the platform. I’m organizing this on his behalf, and I’ve been in regular video contact with him. This campaign is real. The need is urgent.

How does Qassem have internet or a phone?

He uses an old iPhone and connects through temporary service (when it’s available) or by hotspotting from others in the area. He charges his phone using solar panels in the area.

How will the funds get to him?

We can use a few options for money transfer services, but will utilize use PayPal, as it is most accessible and most convenient for his family.

From Qasem:

“My name is Qasem Qudiah, I am from Gaza, where war has erased everything we once called life. Our home was destroyed. We now live in a torn tent with nothing but hope. I was seriously injured. my kidneys and colon damaged by shrapnel. I had surgery without real medical care. Pain is my daily companion. Hunger is silently killing us. From my wounded heart and besieged land, I send you my love and a human plea: Be the light that saves us from this darkness.”

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for sharing this with others.

Even $5 makes a difference. And every prayer means the world.

With love, hope, and faith,

Ryan