Help raise funds for Ahmad's Food, Supplies, and Escape

Hi, my name is Melanie Kouloumbrakis, and I am fundraising for my dearest friend, Ahmad Farahat, who is just 21 years old. Ahmad is facing unimaginable challenges as he tries to secure funds for basic necessities like food and supplies while also preparing to escape the war in Gaza. Every day, he wakes up to the sounds of destruction and fear, knowing that his life is at risk from the ongoing violence.

In addition to his urgent need to evacuate, Ahmad is struggling to find enough food and essential supplies to survive in a place where supplies are quickly running out. The bombing has disrupted supply chains, making it hard to get even basic things like clean water, medical supplies, and food. Every meal he manages to find is essential for him to stay alive, and the constant uncertainty adds a lot of stress to his situation.

We are aiming to have the funds ready for when the Rafah border crossing opens again, which is a crucial lifeline for those trapped in this conflict. Evacuating is not easy; it will cost approximately $5,000 USD through Hala Company and around $10,000 USD if we go through the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. I have taken the time to verify Ahmad’s passport and identity documents to ensure that everything is in order for his escape.

Your kindness and generosity will play a vital role in helping Ahmad secure safety and reunite him with his family, who are waiting for him in a safer place. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a difference in Ahmad's fight for survival and help him find the safety and peace that every young person deserves.

Here is Ahmad’s story in his words:

I was born in Gaza and I am 21 years old. Over the years, I have witnessed five wars in Gaza, but none as ferocious as this one. I was studying Business Administration at the University of Gaza, excelling in my studies with high marks. I had dreams of graduating and building a career based on my degree. However, the war interrupted everything when the university was bombed by the occupation, shattering my dreams as the relentless bombings continued. Every day brought news of more lives lost, more homes destroyed, and the sense of hopelessness grew as survival became the only focus in this ongoing genocide in Gaza.

I have lost loved ones, who became martyrs, the pain of losing my little cousin still feels heavy, leaving an emptiness that words can’t fill. Every morning as the sun rises, I feel the ache of missing them all.

On the 5th of May 2024, the invasion of Rafah forced my family and me to flee. We were displaced from the south to the center of Al-Halib, taking almost nothing with us except for a few important items and a small amount of money. A week after the invasion, our home in Rafah was bombed, bulldozed, and annexed into the free zone known as the Philadelphia Axis, which has since been fully activated.

In the meantime, I am doing everything I can to survive. I am hoping to raise money not only for basic necessities like food and supplies but also to have enough for evacuation when the Rafah border finally opens. Every day feels like a race against time, and the financial burden of gathering enough resources just to live is overwhelming.

Even when the Rafah border opens, the opportunity to escape is brief and highly uncertain, with securing passage being incredibly difficult without the heavy financial burden. The cost of travel alone for one person is between $5,000 and $10,000 USD—an unimaginable amount for my family after losing everything in the bombings. Despite these obstacles, I hold on to the hope of finding safety and continuing my education by joining relatives who fled before me. But for now, that hope remains just out of reach.

I am humbly asking for your support to help me escape this unimaginable situation. Any donation, no matter how small, could make the difference between life and death for me. Your generosity could provide the means to not only survive but also to rebuild my future. With your help, I could escape the violence and devastation, reunite with my loved ones, and pursue the education that has always been my dream. I pray that you can find it in your heart to donate and help save my life, giving me the chance to live in safety and hope once more.

If you can spare any amount to help Ahmad with food and supplies and assist him in reaching safety, please consider donating and sharing this campaign. Please pray for Ahmad’s protection until he can reunite with his family. Thank you!