Gaza to Vancouver: A Journey of Hope for Dr. Hana's Family

*Hello, I'm Dr. Hana Hussein,*

a dedicated Pediatric Ophthalmologist specializing in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Surgery. Originally from Gaza, I recently relocated to Canada amidst harrowing circumstances and have begun working at a hospital in Vancouver. My journey here has been long and challenging, driven by my deep commitment to improving children's eye health through specialized care.

*Background:*

For nearly ten years, I worked as an ophthalmologist with the last four years also serving as a teaching professor at the medical school and the optometry department in Gaza. In recent years, I worked at St. John's Eye Hospital – Gaza branch. In 2022, I applied for a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology in Vancouver, Canada, to pursue advanced training in a specialty that is critically needed in Gaza. Pediatric ophthalmology is a rare specialty in Palestine, with only one practicing doctor in the entire Gaza Strip. My goal is to bring this much-needed expertise back to Gaza, where many children suffer from complex eye conditions that currently lack proper treatment.

*Challenges:*

The situation in Gaza has been incredibly difficult. My family and I endured significant hardships, first our home was destroyed in an air strike but we were lucky to survive, we then had to flee to the south and live in a tent for 7 months with very limited living essentials and survive on limited food , luckily we could carry some of our life savings with us, I used to check my email occasionally through a paid service using solar power and limited internet access and 4 months later I received an email stating I was offered the fellowship I originally applied for 2 years ago.

It was a very mixed feelings but I knew I wanted this opportunity for long time but it’s extremely challenging for me to make it happen as I don’t have the resources or the funds needed, I needed to cover myself and my family financially to travel from Gaza to Egypt ( a trip that cost $40k) then apply for a visa at the Canadian embassy in Cairo with no guarantee to be approved , then fly alone to Vancouver, leaving family with no income or means to survive in Egypt as they are not allowed to work and have to pay for shelter and food. It seemed a mission impossible but I was also motivated and determined to make it happen and hope to be able to accomplish what I planned for so after talking to my family we decided to sell all what we had, gather all available funds from every member and borrow what we can to cover this entire trip, and here I am 3 and a half months later of an extremely difficult and stressful journey I am in Vancouver now and my family are in Egypt, the entire journey cost over $50000. I have just started my training in BC children hospital with. As the primary breadwinner, I am financially supporting my five siblings the youngest one is a fifth year medical student and my sister's two children, one of whom has autism and requires specialized care that is difficult to access in Egypt. This responsibility adds significant financial pressure as I pursue my training in Canada .

Despite these challenges, I remain committed to my goal of improving healthcare in Gaza. When I received the fellowship offer after two years, I knew this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, even though it meant facing significant obstacles to make the move to Canada and continuing to support my family from afar.

*Why Your Support Matters:*

I am reaching out for support to help me complete my training in pediatric ophthalmology here in Vancouver. This training is crucial for me to gain the expertise needed to treat complex cases in children's eye health—a service that is desperately needed in Gaza.

By supporting me, you are contributing to the future of pediatric healthcare in Gaza. My ultimate goal is to return to Gaza and use my specialized training to improve the lives of countless children who currently have limited access to advanced eye care. This fellowship is a critical step in achieving that goal, and your support will make it possible for me to focus on my training without the overwhelming burden of financial stress, especially as I continue to support my family in Egypt.

*How You Can Help:*

Your generosity will directly support my living expenses during this year-long fellowship, allowing me to fully concentrate on gaining the skills needed to help children in Gaza while also supporting my family during this challenging time. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings me closer to my goal of becoming a highly skilled pediatric ophthalmologist who can make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of children in my home country.

Thank you for considering my story. Your support means the world to me and to the many children who will benefit from the specialized care I will be able to provide upon my return to Gaza. Every dollar makes a difference, no matter how small.

*Warm regards,*

*Dr. Hana Hussein*

Before the war

After the war