Hello there, my name is Briellen and I am a piano teacher based in Washington State. I created this fundraiser on behalf of my friend Shahd Alnaouq (20yrs), a young Palestinian writer from Gaza who is suffering through immense hardship and difficulty.

Here is what Shahd wishes to share:

"Hello,

My name is Shahd Alnaouq, I am a 20-year-old Palestinian woman from Gaza. I am currently studying English Literature and Translation, a field that has allowed me to explore language, stories, and human expression—something I have always been deeply passionate about.

Since I was a child, I had a private world of my own, where I could write freely about life, friendships, passions, achievements, and even the simple beauty of flowers. Writing was my refuge, my way of understanding the world and myself.

But the war took much from me—it paused my life and made my future uncertain.

I started to think about how to put my world into displacement bags.

Despite everything, I have never stopped writing. Yet today, my words are shadowed by the harsh reality around me. Most of my writings are filled with sleepless nights, fear, loss, and the relentless sounds of bombing and destruction. They speak of grief, anxiety, and the emptiness left behind by everything the war has taken. Writing has become both my therapy and my witness, a way to document what we endure when life feels suspended between survival and despair.

Because of the constant danger, it was me, my dreams, my writings, and my family of six—Mahmoud, Enas, Jumana, Misk, and our parents—living together in this place. With us was my sister Enas, who suffers from health problems and cannot receive the treatment she deserves because of the closed crossings and lack of medicine.

Even in these circumstances, I still hope my words can reach others, sharing Gaza’s reality and keeping humanity alive through storytelling. I dream of peace, when I can study and live without fear, and when writing about joy and hope is possible again. Your support gives me strength to keep going and reminds me that life and hope remain, even in the hardest times."

The funds will be used to support Shahd in adapting to extremely difficult circumstances where basic necessities of life are scarce or nonexistent. Everything in Gaza is very expensive, and there are no job opportunities. Shahd has been dedicated to writing for the past two years, and has so much to share with the world. Your support will make a huge difference in helping her continue to pursue her dreams despite the impossible circumstances.

Please consider donating to support Shahd and sharing her story with the world.

With love, Briellen <3