About a month ago my nine-year-old sister came up to me, cloaked in tears, because she was suffering from a seriously hurtful blow of anxiety. It was very strange to witness this in a child who was less than a decade old, and I was perplexed as to how to respond to this estranged outcry. She asked me, barely able to articulate herself, “why are people happy and smiling when there is so much bad in the world? People are dying, people have cancer, people are hurting each other, people are so sick, people on the streets are poor - how do we fix all this? Why are we not doing something about it?"

And at that point I was frozen, ready to burst into tears myself, wondering, "what on earth have I really done about this?"

The 2-year anniversary of the publishing of my book passed just a couple of days ago. Given that this entire book was built upon the philosophy of motivating others to go out there and make a difference in the world, I realized it was time for me to truly live by it.

My name is Taaha Muhammad, and I am a 3rd year Health Sciences student at McMaster hoping to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

For a long time now people have been captivated by the words I've had to share, the advice I have offered, and the small gestures I’ve made in attempt to make this world a better place. In all honesty I really deserve no credit for these so-called “accomplishments,” but if they’re a means for others to become better people, I’m all for it.

The 150-page book I published, entitled “Goalcatcher,” has helped many people get on their feet and muster up the courage and motivation needed to chase their dreams. Covering costs has been difficult as this was an expensive project for a university student like me. However, I always intended for all of the profits from this project to be directed to charity, and I’d like to continue staying true to my word with this campaign. Two years in now, I’d like to reignite the project with a focus on the struggle millions of Syrians are going through as the harsh winter and other life circumstances take their toll.


In this campaign, I’m turning to the beautiful people out there whose hearts are open to the prospect of making a meaningful difference in this world, as big or small as it may be. There are people out there who truly need our help. We are lucky beyond description to be blessed with the circumstances in which we live, not having to worry about waking up in the morning with no breakfast to eat. The warmth of our clothes, the comfort of our homes, the compassion shared by our loved ones, are all things we often take for granted.

The father of two students I tutored escaped as a refugee from war-stricken Afghanistan, and it pierced my heart to hear of the bombs, gunfire, and sleepless nights he had to endure in chase of survival. Tens of thousands of Syrian refugees are settling in Canada and surely need our help. In Madaya, Syria, many children are dying from a lack of food.

I will use these funds to help the Syrian population in many ways. A $25 donation will suffice to provide a Winter Survival Kit with heating and amenities to help an underprivileged one make it through the winter, in high-yield, cold climate-struck areas, through the not-for-profit organization SyrianOrphans.

$50 will provide food, clothing, shelter, and education to a Syrian orphan for an entire month.

You can find out more information from http://www.syrianorphans.org 

The goal here is twofold:
1) to inspire further positive change (through my book) in the hearts of the amazing individuals out there who are supporting this campaign.
2) to make a difference in the lives of those who are in need through funds raised.

There’s a lot to be done, and there’s a lot that can be done. As an added incentive for donations, I’ll be sending a copy of my book to anyone who donates at or above $25. I ask that if you meet this donation requirement, you follow the following instructions:

1) If you are a postsecondary student, type your university/college name in the donation comment when you donate. I'll be sending  out copies to representatives from each major location so you can pick the book up from there!

2) If you are not a postsecondary student but live in the GTA, type the name of the city in which you live, and I'll coordinate various pickup locations for you as well!

3) If you are outside the GTA, I'll make my best effort to mail it out to you!

*note: if you don't wish to post university/city publicly, you may make your donation anonymous (only I'll be able to see it) OR just privately inform me! I am using this system to minimize shipping costs and send as much money possible to the charity.

If you have ANY questions, please don’t hesitate to message me on Facebook, or contact me through this GoFundMe campaign! 

It is my humble request that you really open your hearts to this cause, and help in whatever way you can, even if it's simple through sharing it online. In the end we are all humans, irrespective of our race, gender, and socioeconomic status. This isn’t for me; it’s in the name of humanity, the unification of this beautiful planet, and the spreading of kindness.

My book is the least I could do to thank you. My gratitude for your support is truly beyond expression. Thank you so much for helping me make this happen. :)