Help Ahmed's family leave the war zone in Gaza

A Plea for Survival: Help Ahmed and His Family Rebuild in Gaza

My name is Shehda and I am creating this fundraiser on behalf of my cousin Ahmed. These are his words below.

My name is Ahmed Tanboura, and I’m a 21-year-old nursing student from Gaza City, Palestine. My family and I have endured unimaginable suffering since the war broke out on October 7, and today, I’m sharing our story in the hope of finding support to survive and rebuild.

When the airstrikes began, we were forced to flee our home, fearing for the lives of the children and elderly in our family. Under relentless aerial bombardment, we sought safety at a UNRWA shelter, but it was already overcrowded with displaced families like ours. With nowhere else to go, we set up a small tent—barely 3 meters wide—to call home. It was cramped, uncomfortable, and could not hold everyone, but it was all we had.

Our struggle for basic necessities began immediately. Water, something so essential, became an everyday battle. I would wait 5-6 hours each day just to collect 30 liters of unclean water. This was all we had for washing, bathing, and other needs. This desperate struggle continued for 40 days.

When we were finally allowed to return to our neighborhood, we discovered the heartbreaking truth: our home, the place where we built a life filled with love and memories, was gone—completely destroyed by the war. Seeing the ruins, my father broke down in tears, my mother wept, and my little sister cried over the memories we had lost forever.

With nowhere else to turn, we moved into a relative’s home. It’s a temporary solution, but it’s not sustainable.

Before the war, I was in my third year of nursing school and had dreams of becoming a nurse to help others. I was even preparing to travel to Egypt to continue my education. But the war shattered those dreams. Instead of attending lectures and studying, I now live in uncertainty—fighting for survival amid the chaos.

Life here is a daily battle. We face the constant threat of death from bombings, hunger, thirst, or illness. Every day feels like a fragile thread holding us together.

This is only a small glimpse of the suffering my family and I endure. Despite the hardships, I still cling to hope.

With your help, we can rebuild.

Your generosity can provide us with clean water, food, and a chance to start over. It can bring us closer to a safe and stable life. Please consider supporting us and sharing our story. Together, we can create a brighter tomorrow. Your kindness will help my family and I buy food and supplies while we wait for the boarders to open. Once the borders open, my mother, father, sister, and I will evacuate in order to live in safety and with the hopes of continuing my education.

Thank you for reading and for standing with us in our time of need.