I am Tala. I'm 22 years old and I'm trying to keep my dreams alive.

In 2023, I was studying information technology at Al-Azhar University. I worked hard and got high grades, and I loved spending time with my friends and enjoying life, like any other young person in any other country.

Then, almost overnight, my life turned into a question of survival. My university was bombed, beloved friends were killed, and the streets and homes I loved were destroyed. In many ways, I was lucky: I survived the destruction, the hardship and the heartache. But I want to do more than survive: I want to pursue my dreams and build a happy, successful life.

I'm raising funds to survive everyday life in my destroyed homeland. I've been working as a journalist to share my people's story, but I'm also hoping to raise enough money to travel and study again in a safer country. I've lost so much already. I don't want to lose my dreams as well.

I'm Laura, from Edinburgh in Scotland, and this is my talented friend Tala (@taladarwish.1 on instagram), from Deir al-Balah in Gaza. I've been helping Tala raise funds for her survival over the last year. Now, I'm happy to be looking to the future with her, helping her to raise money to rebuild her future. I will transfer all of your donations directly to Tala's Palestinian bank account.