Help Mo to escape Gaza and finish his studies abroad.

02 July Update:

Follow my story on TikTok: @mohammed.abo.matt (https://www.tiktok.com/@mohammed.abo.matt)

27 June Update:

Thank you for all the donations so far!

Intro

https://youtu.be/Jf-_e6uEjjs

Mohammad (Mo) Matter is 20 years old, from Nuseirat in central Gaza, and has already suffered severe losses since the genocide began, including 71 family members, his university, and his home. I am fundraising to help Mo to leave Gaza and continue his software engineering studies abroad. Just leaving Gaza could cost £10,000 or more, and Mo has lost everything due to Israel's indiscriminate bombing over the past 9 months.

[This is Mo in what is left of his apartment after it was bombed by Israeli forces. Luckily he was not at home when this happened.]

Mo had a bright future, as an intelligent, warm-hearted man. He wanted to use his intellect to further himself, his family, and his community through education. He is a straight-As student, and was studying for his undergrad degree in Software Engineering at The University of Palestine until Israel's genocidal onslaught began in October 2023. On January 17th 2024, the Israeli occupation demolished his entire university campus, using over 300 anti-tank mines, reducing it to dust and rubble. This was done to punish all Palestinian people and to steal their futures by removing their means of education.

[Illustrative photo, this is Al Israa university in southern Gaza being blown up in a similar manner; coincidentally on the same day as Mo's university was destroyed.]

With this vindictive action, Isreal stole Mo of any possibility of returning to his studies, along with thousands of other students.

Please, please help me to raise enough money for Mo to escape from the uninhabitable Gaza strip, and pursue his studies in a university protected from wanton destruction by international law.

It will be decades before universities in Gaza are functioning again; Mo cannot wait this long. His prime academic years are now–he is in the middle of his undergrad degree now. Let's not allow the apartheid Israeli state to win by depriving young Palestinian survivors like Mo of a future.

Here is some more about Mo in his own words:

I am Mohammad from Gaza. I am 20 years old. My family is 8 people. I study software engineering, but now my university has been completely destroyed, my house has been bombed, and all my dreams have been destroyed. Our source of income is the aid that comes from abroad only.

Despite the immense challenges I have faced, including the devastating bombing of my home, I am determined to pursue my dreams and make a meaningful impact on the world.

I am currently studying Software Engineering, a field that captivates me and where I see tremendous potential for growth and innovation. My academic journey is not just about personal achievement but also about contributing positively to my community and beyond. I believe that through education, I can acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to drive change and development.

One of the biggest obstacles to realizing my dreams is the financial burden associated with seeking educational opportunities abroad. The cost to exit Gaza through the Rafah Border Crossing ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, a daunting amount considering the economic hardships in my region. This financial barrier is a significant challenge, but it has not deterred me from pursuing my goals.

Despite the financial and logistical challenges, my passion for learning and my ambition to succeed remain undiminished. I am determined to overcome these obstacles and pursue higher education abroad, where I can further develop my skills and knowledge. My goal is to break free from the constraints imposed by my current situation and to make a meaningful contribution to society.

Through my journey, I hope to inspire others and to find opportunities that will allow me fulfil my potential. I am committed to building a better future for myself, my family, and my community, driven by a deep passion for learning and a desire to make a difference.