Supporting Rahaf to complete her studies.

Story

I am a medical student whose ambition is a humanitarian mission born from unimaginable suffering and profound loss. My journey began with an extraordinary resolve; I spent two full years studying for my high school diploma (Tawjihi) amidst a total collapse of the educational system. I used to borrow books from my classmates and risk my life traveling to extremely dangerous areas just to obtain my study materials. With every bitter forced displacement we endured, my books were the first things I packed and held onto—they were my only weapon. Despite the fact that many around me mocked my persistence, laughing and saying, “There isn’t even bread to eat, how can there be education?”, I never stopped. I challenged everyone and achieved a 97.4% GPA.

My dream has been forged in pain and oppression. During our siege in the Al-Shati refugee camp, we stood completely helpless as my grandfather suffered a severe medical emergency; we stood by with folded hands, unable to save him or provide any aid. This was followed by the devastating martyrdom of my grandmother while we were still besieged at my grandfather’s house. Those moments of total helplessness are what define my resolve today: I refuse to be helpless ever again. I am studying medicine so that no one else has to stand powerless before the pain and loss of their loved ones.

We are a large family of 9 members, struggling to cover the university expenses for three students simultaneously. My family has sacrificed everything for me; my brother was forced to completely halt his university education just to give me the chance to continue. Last semester, we reached a breaking point where we had to sell our most essential and necessary belongings. We even had to sell our cooking gas cylinder at a time when its price was exorbitant and it was nearly impossible to replace due to the blockade—all just to secure a fraction of my tuition fees. I lived through days filled with frustration and fear, unable to focus on my medical studies because my mind was consumed by the financial burden. I lived in constant terror that the dream I worked so hard for would vanish.