From a World Record to a War Zone.

Urgent help needed!

Gaza is beying destroyed and Youssef's life is in danger. This is an emergency appeal to help him survive the genocide.

Please help, every donation counts.

Disclaimer: half of the children in the photo above are no longer alive. They were killed in an airstrike on the UNRWA school for girls in Gaza.

Youssef Al-Bahtini, once a bright rising star and a world record holder in acrobatics, is now a 20-year-old volunteer in war-torn Gaza, risking his life every day to provide for his family and do humanitarian work for traumatized children.

Every day is a fight to survive under the relentless war that has torn his life apart. He is carrying more pain and fear of death at only 20 years old than most face in a lifetime. His home was destroyed. His best friends were killed in airstrikes. His university was bombed. He is now displaced, living in a refugee tent without clean water or regular food. And still, he refuses to give up.

Who is Youssef?

At age 12, Youssef broke a Guinness World Record as a body contortionist and stunned international audiences. He dreamed of an inspiring career and of building a better life for his family. He is a creative soul who still dreams of peace.

Interview with Youssef in 2017 - APF News Agency

What does he do?

Youssef is an independent entertainer, deeply committed to charity work for displaced children in Gaza’s shelters and camps. Through singing and Dabke dancing, he has offered rare moments of joy in a place filled with fear and destruction. His talent is widely recognized in Gaza.

“Even if we’re terrified, we try to be their safety. If a child smiles just for a moment, it’s enough to keep going. We want to demonstrate how much we love life and preserve our heritage while everything is being taken from us.” /Youssef

Why does he need your help?

Youssef’s work is unpaid. He is exhausted, often hungry, and displaced, yet he has never stopped trying to lift others with his spirit and talent. He has lost almost everything, but he still gives everything and holds on to hope.

This fund will go directly to Youssef to help him:

• Buy food and clean water.

• Provide basic shelter and medicine.

• Support his safety and survival.

• When possible, continue his humanitarian performances for children.

Why give?

This charity stand for dignity and for the future. Helping Youssef means helping a generation of children recover through hope and creativity.

Every single donation can help Youssef survive and keep the light alive in the darkest of places.

Let’s show him, and the children of Gaza, that they are not forgotten.

Let’s lift the one who has lifted so many others.

Please donate and share his story, every act of kindness is a lifeline for Youssef. 

Instagram: @youssefalbahtini

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About the person behind the Fundraiser

My name is Svala Ásdísardóttir, and I am a friend of Youssef's brother. He was assisting Youssef abroad during his quest to break the World record. All this is well documented and traceable. You can watch the videos on Youssef’s Instagram profile. I have known the brothers since the beginning of the war and frequently talk to both of them.

I am from Iceland, but I live in Sweden where I work as a freelancing journalist, teacher, and interpreter.

I can assure you that Youssef is not affiliated with any political organizations or armed groups of any kind. He is just an ordinary civilian, with extraordinary talents, trying to survive the Genocide in Gaza.

Everything collected through this fundraiser will go to Youssef through his brother.