Hello everyone, my name is Sameh Abu Ashiba, from Gaza, a first-year medical student at Al-Azhar University. For years, I have set a clear goal for myself and pursued it with determination and persistence, believing that education is the only way to change my reality and my family’s future. My journey has not been easy, but it has always been filled with hope and ambition.

Despite my constant efforts to stay focused on my dreams, reality keeps pulling me back. I have worked incredibly hard to reach this stage in my education. Getting into medical school was not just a personal goal—it was a promise I made to myself and to my family, a promise that one day things would change. I imagined myself wearing the white coat, attending lectures, studying late into the night, and building a future where I could help others. But now, I feel that this dream is fading.

The new academic semester is about to begin, and while my peers prepare for this challenging journey, I find myself standing still. I do not have the financial means to pay the required tuition fees to begin my studies. It pains me to know that I am falling behind while others move forward—not because I lack ability or passion, but simply because I lack financial resources. The thought of missing this opportunity deeply saddens me. I long to sit in those classrooms, to learn, to grow, and to be part of something meaningful.

At home, the situation is no better. My family continues to struggle under severe financial hardship. The lack of money affects every aspect of our lives. We are unable to meet even our basic needs, and the constant pressure of survival weighs heavily on all of us. I feel a deep sense of helplessness as I watch my loved ones struggle, unable to change our situation. It is a burden I carry every day.

Despite everything, I try to hold on to hope. I constantly remind myself why I chose this path. I want to become a doctor—not only for myself, but for everyone who suffers as we do. I have witnessed pain, loss, and suffering up close, and this has only strengthened my determination to make a difference. But hope alone is not enough. Without support, my dreams may fade away.

This is not just my story—it is the story of many young people whose lives have been disrupted by circumstances beyond their control. We are not asking for luxury or comfort; we are asking for a chance. A chance to learn, to grow, and to build a better future for ourselves and our families.

Right now, my future feels uncertain—suspended between what could be and what is. But deep inside, I still believe that with the right support, I can overcome these challenges. I still believe that one day I will walk into university—not as someone who was left behind, but as someone who refused to give up.