Help Aboud's Family Survive and Heal

Hello! I am C. 'Zeke' King, from Vermont in the United States. Please allow me to introduce my friend Aboud. Abdul Ishaq Karim, known as Aboud by his loved ones, is a native of Gaza City in the North of Gaza. His family name is Abu Al-Ata. Aboud is an intelligent, kind, caring, sweet-hearted, studious, and academically excellent man of twenty, who has experienced more loss in the last year than anyone should have to endure in their lifetime, including the death of one of his sisters and all three of her children.

"I am a first-year university student who graduated from high school with a GPA of 81.87 and received a scholarship at one of the universities here. I had been dreaming of building my future, but a week after I started attending university, the war broke out and that is where the suffering began. My family consists of 4boys and 8 girls. We were displaced to the south[...] One of my sisters was martyred along with her 3 children. It was the most severe shock I have ever experienced in my life.

The war is raging, we don't know the taste of sleep. I swear to you that we will not go out, we are besieged from all sides[...]hoping this injustice will end[..."]

Sometimes I meet some teachers, I like to shake hands with them and remember the beautiful school days. I miss them so much."

Aboud's extra-curricular interests included soccer and body-building. He loves Arabic music and cats and enjoys hanging out with his friends, although lately seeing friends rarely happens as venturing out to see them means risking his life.

His mother was recently diagnosed with cancer, and Aboud worries about her being able to access and afford care; when right now the family has to endure constant sounds of artillery where they have found shelter after fleeing their home with only the clothes on their backs. His concern over her well-being is what finally motivated him to seek our financial support.

"I am exhausted searching[...] Frankly, I need it very much regarding my mother. She is a patient with gland cancer. If you want me to send you her medical reports to confirm that [I will do so.] Life is tiring and difficult here." (I have seen Aboud's mothers medical reports, which I haven't included to protect her privacy.)

I cannot imagine how one deals with such constant fear and uncertainty, not knowing whether you and your family members can last the night, never mind other, health-related threats to life.

Please spare a little for the Abu Al-Ata family. Consider sacrificing one meal or drink purchased outside the home and donating the cost to this precious family instead. They are so worthy of our care and support.