Dear Friends,

As you know, I am Brian K Barber from Washington, DC and have spent much of my time over the past 30 years in Gaza. Early on in those years, I came to know Hussam Abushawish and have stayed close to his growing family ever since. I've narrated the family story in the book No Way but Forward (www.bkbarber.com).

Hussam and his family wish to express their deep gratitude for your support over these last nearly three years. In the end, the family was not permitted to leave Gaza to continue the children’s education abroad. But your donations aided them significantly in assuring that all five children have been able to continue studying in Gaza despite the unrelenting Israeli bombardment and deprivation of the Strip. Israel has ignored the “ceasefire” agreement it signed last October by bombing and killing people every day and refusing to allow adequate food, medicine, or fuel into the Strip.

Since virtually all universities have been fully or partially destroyed, the Abushawish children have studied remotely, battling frequent electricity blackouts and spotty internet connection, all while dealing with severe temperatures, hunger, thirst, and disease. Yet they have moved forward as Palestinians always do.

Hussam and his family respectfully ask for your continued support for 19-year-old Shahd, the third daughter. Last year, Shahd passed the grueling 21-day college qualifying exam (the tawjihi) taken after the last year of high school. She chose the harder, science track because she has dreamed of being a doctor. Due to her tenacious commitment to studying through all of the obstacles, she achieved a score of 91.4%, a tremendous accomplishment given that a passing score is merely 51%. Her great success allowed her to be admitted to the College of Medicine in Gaza and she has now completed her first year.

Over the past couple of years, the university has been able to repair some of its partially destroyed buildings, erect tent classrooms, and rent temporary learning sites to support the continuation of academic activities. Most lectures are delivered online, while the majority of examinations are conducted in person at the university’s available sites and temporary learning facilities.

Medical training in Gaza is very rigorous, comprising 6 years of study and one year of residency, with students required to pass a total of 258 credit hours. At current exchange rates, each credit hour costs approximately $140, totaling $36,120 for the full program. The family was able to scrape together funds for the first year, but because of the continuing problems in Gaza they have only been able to earn half of their typical income and therefore can no longer afford the costs of Shahd’s medical training.

Costs for the balance of credit hours will be $30,800.

It would be a marvelous thing for Shahd, her family, and for all of Gaza if Shahd can continue on her path to becoming a physician.

Kindly donate as much as you can.

Now, please listen to Shahd in her own words:

"I am writing to you today with great hope of continuing a journey that I began with patience and through indescribable hardship. My journey to the College of Medicine was not merely a normal university admission; rather, it was a path filled with difficult challenges that I faced under the harshest circumstances. I graduated from high school and passed the tawjihi in the midst of war, under relentless bombardment, and amid extremely difficult humanitarian and psychological conditions.

I studied using the light of a mobile phone whose battery was constantly running out, while living through displacement in a very confined space that lacked even the basic conditions of a suitable study environment, where four people shared the same room. Maintaining focus amid fear, overcrowding, and psychological pressure was almost impossible, but my determination and passion for medicine were the greatest sources of strength that enabled me to persevere.

I firmly believe that Gaza, with its people and its wounds, is in urgent need of dedicated medical professionals who can support and serve their community, especially during times of crises and wars.

Today, I face a new challenge: the high cost of tuition fees, which exceed my family's financial capacity and threaten my ability to continue my studies.

Your support at this stage would represent far more than simply covering the costs of a university education; it would ensure my ability to continue pursuing the dream and passion for medicine that I have fought so hard to achieve.

Investing in this journey is an investment in a Palestinian doctor who carries a humanitarian mission toward her community. I aspire to continue my academic path with excellence and to become a source of support and healing for the people of my homeland who have endured so much suffering. I kindly ask for your support and assistance, so that your generosity can become a crucial step in transforming this dream into a reality that serves the community.

With my deepest gratitude and appreciation.

Shahd"

Note: GFM does not allow removing the original funding goal and beginning anew. In the goal box above, the $70,000 was the original goal, followed by the funds previously raised. Our goal now is $30,800.