Support Palestinian Drone Strike Victim in Canada

Mohammed Alzaza was a 15-year-old Palestinian teenager in Gaza when he and his 12-year-old cousin were hit by an Israeli drone strike while playing outdoors. His cousin was killed; Mohammed’s injuries were so severe, he required 22 surgeries in Israel, Gaza, Egypt, and Turkey, where he has been desperately waiting for his approval to come to Canada. He is now in the final stages of the process and is expected to arrive in Vancouver by the end of the summer.

Mohammed suffers ongoing chronic pain in his hand, legs and abdomen. He suffers Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD) both from the drone strike and because during his last attempt to receive surgery in Israel, he was tortured by Israeli authorities. His inability to get proper medical support, especially surgery, has left him in extreme pain and despair. He is unable to go out, and he can barely walk any longer, while he is also losing sensation in various parts of his body. His most recent medical report in Turkey highlighted the need for him to have surgery as soon as possible.

Mohammed is an ambitious, clever, bright, curious, and sweet young man. He says that the months out of Gaza and in the company of his Israeli well-wishers changed his outlook on life and his perspective with regard to his own expectations and wishes. He realizes the importance of a good education and that of acquiring a profession. His drive is all the more impressive given that most everyone in his surroundings does not study, and that he had to cope with very crowded living circumstances, frequent power outages, studying by candle light and without air conditioning. He wants to study engineering so he will eventually be able to help rebuild his country.

Mohammed's application has finally been approved and he will likely arrive in Vancouver by the end of the summer and our goal is to raise $ 20,000.00 for Mohammed's medical, educational, housing and general living expenses for a year.

Mohammed is eager to go back to school and get an education.

Mohammed is being co-sponsored by the British Columbia Muslim Association (without whom this would not have been possible) and a community of friends and supporters from Israel, Europe and Canada.

A Message from Mohammed to the donors:

I'm Mohammed - thank you from the heart. For everyone who donated and contributed to this campaign, your donation has great positive effects in my life. I suffer from my injuries and am in constant pain and in need of surgeries, but the conditions were harsh and I could not overcome them. With your help and support, the situation will be different for the better. I will soon be in a new reality in Canada and with your support, the pain and surgeries that I wish would have ended years ago will end. With your support and help, the pain will end and I’ll start a dignified life like anyone who loves life. I can only thank everyone who helped me even by spreading the campaign with your help. The one who has tasted death dozens of times will live with your support, and soon my pain will stop.