Evacuate from Gaza (Rafah), arrive UK University
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Statements from the campaign manager, budget, and PHOTOS of Ahmed at work appear at the end of this story.
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UPDATE 4 September 2024
Ahmed is reasonably versed in IT, and has found a decent used laptop. His old one was truly ancient and died on its way to Cairo.
He is volunteering, in Art Therapy, with 2 organizations in Cairo which support newly arrived Palestinians.
He is also using his contacts in Gaza to coordinate donations from a Japanese NGO for the purpose of purchasing potable water for the various refugee camps in Gaza.
He will soon be re-taking his English language test (IELTS).
He seems to be in good spirits, even though he desperately wants to get to university in the coming few months.
UPDATE 1 July 2024
Ahmed is taking his English language studies very seriously, and I am helping him to practice all skills. He is enjoying his classes, likes his teachers and classmates, and is receiving excellent advice all around.
He is interpreting (Arabic-to-English and v.v.) for friends when they meet foreign supporters. He is building a network of contacts who can encourage both him and others in their futures, both in and out of Gaza. He very much needs our "safety net" in order to continue to thrive. Please continue your support!
UPDATE 2 June 2024
Ahmed has completely embraced his new life outside of Gaza. He has dived into a comprehensive English Language course at the British Council in Cairo. He is thrilled with his teachers, and is working diligently.
He has also found a professional convention in Qatar in November 2024 - Global South Arts and Health Week. This is excellently suited to his skills, education, background and experience. We hope that he can raise the funds to attend.
UPDATE 10 May 2024
Ahmed's current visa in Egypt expires next week. He is eager to remain legal. He may be able to extend his visa, but this is both uncertain and new.
Travelling onwards to Turkey is complicated as it entails both
a) registering for a Turkish language course, and
b) a flight ticket and visa onwards from Turkey.
We know that he will not be permitted to work in Turkey.
He continues to volunteer his Art Therapy skills, and is also helping to welcome new arrivals from Gaza.
He is soft-spoken and intelligent, and continues to gather information about his future possibilities.
HE DESPERATELY NEEDS A new LAPTOP
a) to start Art Therapy online,
b) simply create pdf files for university applications,
c) communicate seamlessly with support organisations,
d) imagine having to run your life from an ancient iPhone (!).
UPDATE 28 April 2024
Ahmed was able to leave Rafah, Gaza (and travel to Cairo, Egypt) on 1 April 2024.
He has spent the last weeks
a) resting,
b) investigating his next move (Palestinians receive only a 45-day visa in Egypt), and
c) volunteering in his profession at the Italian Hospital in Cairo under the auspices of the Red Cross.
Ahmed's tried and true art therapy protocol
Puzzles, together with an unaccompanied patient
Playing chess with a patient in Cairo.
- His current needs, and budget:
- Ahmed's 10-year-old laptop computer did not survive the trip to Cairo. He cannot function without a new one. Approximately $1,000
- His next stop will be Türkiye, until a more stable and long term place of study becomes available. Approximately $2,000
- He is not permitted to work in Cairo, and therefore needs funds for daily maintenance. Approximately $1,000
- For his visa to Turkey, he is required to show personal funds to maintain himself. Approximately $5,000
MANY THANKS FOR READING AND CONSIDERING A DONATION.
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Ahmed's parents are still in Gaza. There was no chance of raising the funds to get them out, so the family decided that Ahmed should go first. The prospects of evacuating his parents at the moment look grim. IDEALLY, it would be lovely for them to rejoin him as he is their only surviving offspring.
Ahmed and his mother, about 30 years ago.
Ahmed and his father, recent.
Ahmed and his mother, recent.
HISTORY
In May 2023, Ahmed Frenah was given conditional acceptance for an MA in Palestine Studies at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. Since then, he has been working with English language teaching volunteers and supporters in France, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK to fulfill his dream of completing an MA in the UK.
In September 2023 Ahmed completed his IELTS exam and is in the process of enrolling into a pre-masters academic program at the University of Exeter. Ahmed's goal is to complete a joint MA in Psychology and Palestine Studies.
To be able to evacuate Ahmed from Gaza, we are seeking $5,000. This will ensure they can leave Rafah for Cairo as soon as possible. He can only do so with your help and generous support.
Ahmed was born, and grew up, in Khan Younis (Gaza) where he has lived his whole life. This life was shattered on the 7th of October. Until the outbreak of the current hostilities, Ahmed had been preparing for his IELTS exam (the UK English language exam) which he was able to sit for in September 2023. Sadly, among many close friends and relatives, his IELTS examiner was killed a few weeks ago.
Ahmed's family was displaced to Rafah at the beginning of December 2023. Ahmed's parents are in their early eighties. They are refugees who fled, as children, from the village of Hamama (part of today's Ashkelon). Both are retired.
The current situation for Ahmed is unbearable. The medical care in Rafah is scarce and the humanitarian conditions extremely difficult. Along with thousands of others, he found himself on the cusp of a new beginning to further his education and expand his knowledge only for it to be abruptly stopped by war.
Since 2015 Ahmed has worked in art therapy for traumatized children (ages 8-11). He has degrees in Art (BA) and Education (MA), both from Universities in Gaza. His dream and hope, upon completion of his degree in the UK, is to return to Gaza and contribute to the healing and rebuilding of his home.
Use of the funds:
1) The Rafah-Egypt border is currently administered by a private travel agency, Hala, which charges $5,000 per person, regardless of age.
2) The funds received in this campaign to date (approximately $2,000 since March 2023) have been used for Ahmed's English studies - 3 courses (IELTS preparatory, academic writing and academic speaking, all at the British Council in Gaza City before it was obliterated), text books, IELTS test and travel between Khan Younis and Gaza City.
3) Any funds received above and beyond the $5,000 (border crossing fee) will be used for
a) daily living expenses,
b) moving to Türkiye (Palestinians receive just a few weeks' visa in Egypt) for a few months of rest,
c) further English language studies, and
d) a new computer. The computer he is currently using is 9 years old. He is now developing an online art therapy website, and will need excellent graphics and video very soon, i.e. as soon as he has reliable internet.
PLEASE BEAR IN MIND THAT AFTER 4 MONTHS OF CONTINUOUS BOMBARDMENT, AND DEATH OF NEIGHBOURS, COLLEAGUES AND OTHER LOVED ONES, AHMED IS IN DIRE NEED OF SOME REST AND RECUPERATION.
Ahmed suffers, but not idly
Since October 2023, Ahmed has been administering funds to aid neighbors. These funds have come from a separate humanitarian/emergency campaign. He has purchased diesel for the neighborhood generator to pump potable water, has aided single mothers, purchased firewood for neighborhood cooking, arranged for basic necessities (like bedding) for others, donated food packages, etc.
I, Mary Jack, in Norway, the administrator of this GoFundMe campaign, chat with Ahmed daily, mostly in writing. For 7 months (October 2023 - April 2024, inclusive), he did not have the internet coverage necessary for a proper conversation.
Now that he is in Cairo, we have weekly Zoom meetings - a true joy for all of us.
Ahmed teaching in Gaza.
Art Therapy in a garden in Gaza.
The children's drawings:
a child hiding under the bed, and
a missile headed for the home.
MY HISTORY WITH AHMED
I have been tutoring Ahmed since December 2022, on a volunteer basis, and am impressed at his enthusiasm, focus and conscientiousness. I believe that he will do his utmost to succeed in his studies, and will be a great asset to the ever-increasing number of refugees in Europe, and the people of Gaza. He received additional intense tutoring from another of his supporters in August-September 2023, right before the IELTS examination.
University diplomas and CV available upon request.
I, Mary Jack, resident in Norway, receive the funds donated to Ahmed, and 100% goes to him - by regular bank transfer from me. He always tells me when the funds are received, and what he uses them for. His gratitude to YOU donors is immeasurable.
Many thanks for your attention, and for considering a donation!
Organizer
Mary Jack
Organizer
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