Help Med Student Bahaa leave Gaza

My name is Bakir Silajdzic and I am an American living in Orange County, California.

I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of my friend Bahaa Quota, a 21-year-old medical student from Gaza. I met Bahaa via IG. He is an exceptional young man with a strong desire to complete his medical studies outside Gaza and help his family rebuild their lives. His family lost all their livelihood after their home was bombed last year and his dream of becoming a doctor have been shattered.

I have been deeply touched by his resilience, sense of responsibility for his family, and his determination to further himself despite all the challenges he is currently facing in Gaza.

Our goal is to raise money for Bahaa to help him survive in Rafah’s current conditions and hopefully evacuate to Egypt to be able to continue his studies once when enough funds have been gathered.

The funds will be used as follows:

$5,000 Fee to Ya Hala Institute for Rafah crossing

$3,000 accommodation in Egypt and travel expenses

$7,000 for unpaid fees for the last semester attendance at Al-Azhar University (it's a debt that has the be paid to obtain the university records)

$50,000 -university fee to complete his studies

Any amount above this will be used to keep Bahaa and his family alive, safe, and fed while we are raising the funds.

Bahaa’s evacuation will be coordinated via Ya Hala Travel Company and all funds will be transferred to Bahaa via PayPal. The money will be transferred as collected to ensure the family is fed and safe.

Please support if you can, any amount, however small can help bring Bahaa one step closer to accomplishing his dreams of resuming his studies and being able to help his family.

Bahaa’s story is below:

“My name is Bahaa Qouta and I am 21 year old Gazan. Before the war started, I was a third-year med student at Al Azhar University (human science department) and was in the top 3 percent of my class. My professors regarded me as the top student in clinical diagnosis and disease treatment. My dream has always been to specialize in pediatrics. “

“Unfortunately, my world looks very different now. My family and I have been displaced several times since October last year, -from Gaza City to Khan Yunis and now to Rafah. My family of eight live in a tent now, as do the rest of displaced people in Rafah. Our home was bombed and destroyed along with all our possessions, my university is in ruins, and the future I once hoped and worked for disappeared too.”

“I have always studied hard in order to become a medical doctor and give back to my family and my country. I volunteered in Nasser Hospital this year during my displacement to Khan Yunis and continue to participate, -pending internet access and security situation, in a medical student group aimed to restore hopes and further learning of medical students in Gaza absent any formal classes being held.”

“For someone who chose the profession of helping people, it comes hard for me to find myself on the receiving end. However, amidst the destruction around me that left my family without the livelihood we built for years, I have no other option left than to reach out for help. If I am given the chance to complete my education, I hope to return to my family and help to rebuild our home in my homeland by working as a medical doctor in Gaza.”

“Thank you for reading my story and I hope you choose to be a part of my journey in regaining self-sufficiency and giving back to my family and my homeland.”

“I thank you for your solidarity and your support.”

Bahaa Qouta