From Gaza’s Ruins to a New Hope: Help My Brother Rebuild

My name is Abood Najjar. I recently graduated summa cum laude from the University of the South with a double major in Biochemistry and Neuroscience and a minor in Computer Science. This summer, I will begin working as a research technician in the U.S. as I prepare to apply to medical school. I was fortunate enough to relocate here, where opportunities for education, safety, and growth are within reach, opportunities I know are not afforded to everyone.

My family, including my brother Ahmed, did not have the same chances. While I was able to pursue my dreams, Ahmed has faced a much different and far more difficult path. I want to share his story in his own words:

"My name is Ahmed, a young Palestinian who grew up in Gaza, where resilience is not a choice but a way of life. I studied law at Al-Azhar University, dreaming of becoming a lawyer who defends the oppressed and speaks for justice. After graduating, I worked as a lawyer, trying to build my future despite the difficult circumstances. I believed that justice was stronger than oppression and that dreams could come true with patience and effort.

But war does not ask about dreams, nor does it leave room for justice. It came like a merciless storm, destroying everything, my home, my career, my hopes. I watched my city burn, my people displaced, and my dreams crumble under the rubble. There was no longer a place for safety or hope.

Amidst the bombing, hunger, and fear, I had no choice but to leave. I did not leave because I wanted to, but because it was necessary to survive. $5000 was the price I had to pay to leave Gaza and reach Egypt, searching for safety.

But what I didn’t know was that exile is not always a refuge, and leaving does not mean salvation. I arrived in Egypt full of hope, but reality was harsher than I ever imagined. Palestinians from Gaza are not granted residency. We are not allowed to work, and our quality of life is severely compromised. Every day, I feel trapped between two worlds. I cannot return to my homeland, yet I have no right to stay here.

My goal now is to pursue my master’s degree in law in a country that grants me residency and the right to work legally. Through this, I can, not only build a better future for myself but also help others, whether through my legal profession or by supporting my family, who are still suffering.

But this dream requires support. Your donation, no matter how small, can help me cover the costs of education, visa, travel, and legal procedures that will give me a new chance at life. I did not choose to lose everything, but I am searching for an opportunity to start over.

If you are reading this, please help me achieve this dream. Your support could be the difference between being lost and finding a new path to my future.

Update:

Dear friends,

I’m thrilled to share that I have been accepted to pursue my Master’s degree in Public Law at Bolu University in Turkey.

This is a life-changing opportunity, but I am on a very tight deadline. I must secure the required funds before August 20th to start my studies.

I truly need your support to cover tuition, travel, and living expenses. Every single contribution will make a real difference and help me take this important step toward my future.

Please consider donating and sharing this with others. Time is short, and your help means the world to me.