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<div>“Hello to my dear friends in this world,
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<div>My name is Ahmad and I come to you with a piece of my story from Palestine, the place I was born and grew up in. When I was young, I dreamed.. like all others in this world, of a beautiful life and a wonderful future, and the chance to go and travel everywhere. I grew up amidst the entire Second Intifada, surrounded by war, bombing, arrests, and curfews in the country. It was here that I realized how difficult it is to live in freedom and peace. Since childhood, it has been my dream to travel to another country, study, and build a life beyond the limitations of military occupation and the challenging economic conditions here. These conditions have made it very difficult to do that. Despite everything, I have not given up in the search for this dream.
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<div>The first time I ventured outside of Palestine, I was 15 years old. I traveled to Jordan with my family. I remember the most beautiful thing in Jordan was simply the freedom of movement. There were no barriers, just the freedom to breathe and feel joy.
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<div>By the age of 17, I found myself desperate to escape the pressures of life and feeling of hopelessness that consumed my homeland. I was in my last year of school at this time and struggling with the feeling that there was no hope or future in my country.
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<div>I went on to study at university, earning a degree in physical therapy. After graduation however, I faced the harsh reality of limited job opportunities in the West Bank. Unwilling to give up, I worked in any available roles, from working in restaurants to volunteering in schools and even trying modeling. I worked tirelessly, taking on shifts at the border crossing, where Palestinian workers commute to work in Israel. I used to go there at 2 o'clock in the morning in order to make a living. Countless attempts to travel to Europe, America, or any other place in an attempt to search for a better future and freedom, have always been very difficult due to the restrictions on travel in Palestine.
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<div>Previously living in Ramallah, I have met many people of all kinds of diverse backgrounds. I’ve been fortunate to make a lot of friends from all over. I am now 28 years old. At this important stage in my life, I’ve decided to embark on learning Italian. A meaningful person inspired me and it’s been something for me to do with my freetime aside from the harsh realities of the current war. At the same time, I am actively seeking opportunities to study or find work in Europe and obtain a visa, in search of a new life and a future. I never dreamed that one day I would live in wars or under these conditions of stress and denial of basic human freedom.
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<div>My story is not over, and there's much more to share, but I don’t wish to bore you. I hope for a day when our lives are free from occupation, violence, and the scars of war. Your support can be a piece of hope for me, helping me turn the page to a new chapter filled with possibilities and growth.
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<div>Thank you for being a part of my journey. May your lives be touched by peace, free from the struggles of occupation and violence.
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<div><strong>Note from organizer:</strong>
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<div>Hi :) I am Ahmad’s cousin, Dima. I am organizing this fundraiser for him.
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<div>All funds will go towards helping Ahmad in order to journey from outside of the West Bank to Europe as a way to have a new beginning.
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<div>The funds will help to pay for travel, border fees, visa fees, flights from Jordan to Europe, and accommodations + all other basic living expenses upon arrival in whichever new destination. Ahmad plans to use additional funds towards supporting education such as language classes and potentially higher education. Your support will be a great aid in helping him get on his feet and achieve these goals.
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<div>Since GoFundMe is unable to transfer funds to Palestinian territories, I as his family here in the US will be collecting what is raised from this fundraiser and personally transferring it to Ahmad.
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<div><strong>Estimated costs: </strong>
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<div>Visa fees: approx. $100-200
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<div>Border fees: (to be determined)
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<div>Flights: $300-500
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<div>Monthly accommodation + food: approx. $900/month
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<div>+ Costs for medical assistance, clothing, living essentials, education, transportation, etc.
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<div>We are extremely grateful for any and all your support towards Ahmad in his journey seeking freedom and a better life. Thank you greatly!
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Dima Zaghal

Anonymous

Ocu .

Livia Florea

Sarah Dillmann

Sahar Saif

Sawsan Shehab

Anna Barber

Elif Sekman

Ilichna Morasky

Nancy Cui

Support Ahmad's Journey Beyond Palestine

Support Ahmad's Journey Beyond Palestine

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