HOPE 4 ALI: help a family in Gaza with their daily expenses

Hey, you! Yes, you're the one reading this!

I want to tell you that you are special because you know that you can make the difference in this world and I want to thank you for stopping by to read this story.

In a quiet corner of the world, where souls intersect but bodies never meet, I was Sara—an Italian woman living a simple, quiet life. I scrolled through social media like many do: through stories, through laughter, through pain. Until one day, I came across the instagram account belonging to a guy named Ali.

Ali shared photos unlike any others. They were of a city torn apart, of a child smiling amidst the destruction, of a mother holding a loaf of bread in the ashes, of a morning washed away by the sound of explosions.

His photos always showed the desire to bring out hope and beauty, even in the midst of destruction and suffering.

I didn’t know much about Gaza, but I felt something… as if these photos were whispering to me. So I reached out.

A simple message. A greeting. Then a few words.

What began as curiosity became a bond—deep, real, and filled with trust. I wasn’t just watching his story unfold; I became a part of it. I started organizing donation campaigns among my friends and relatives to support him and his family. I saw his honesty, his transparency—every penny raised was spent with care. And I realized: what happened to Ali could happen to any of us… in an instant.

But… let's go back to the beginning.

To Gaza, to Ali.

****

“My name is Ali Al-Hasasneh, a Palestinian from Gaza.

I lived with my small family: my mother, my father, my two sisters, and my little brother Yahya.

I was a simple young man with dreams, ambitions, and hobbies like any other. I loved photography, sports, and raising animals.

I would wake up every morning, feed my birds, put on my backpack, and go to my university. I was just a few steps away from graduation, preparing to start a new chapter in my life.

And on the morning of October 7, 2023… everything collapsed.

I was making breakfast, getting ready for my last lecture, when the world around me exploded. Smoke, screams, destruction. My university burned down. My home turned to ashes. The streets became scars on the earth.

We moved from place to place, searching for safety that didn’t exist. From north Gaza to the south. From Rafah to Khan Younis. From tent to tent. With every step, we carried what remained of our souls.

At one checkpoint, the soldiers stopped us. With merciless eyes, they arrested my father in front of us—for no reason. And they let us go… without him. My father told me before he was taken: “Protect them, Ali." From that moment on, I became the father, the protector, and the provider.

I documented everything with my small lens. I showed the world the rubble, the hunger, the pain. I didn’t know this would make me a target… but I couldn’t stay silent.

Now, we live in ruins of our house, on barren land, with no water, no electricity, and barely enough food to survive.

But I have not lost hope.

I search for beauty in the little things: a sunset through torn cloth, a child’s laughter amidst broken walls, a game with the children of the camp.

And I believe… there are still hearts out there that beat with compassion.

Sara... was one of those hearts.

She wasn't just a stranger anymore. She was part of our family’s journey. She believed in us, supported us, and shared our story. In a way, she lived it with us.

THE GOAL

In this specific moment, we need support to face our daily life. Finding the most common foods is a challenge, humanitarian aid is blocked and prices have skyrocketed.

My dream is to raise

3,000 euros to provide us with food, cooking fuel, and maybe a used computer to finish my university project.

But my bigger dream? To raise

20,000 euros to get my family out of Gaza. That amount would cover travel, crossing fees, passports, medical care, and a chance to start over in a safe place. A place where my siblings can live without fear. Where Yahya can sleep without jumping at every sound.

THE EXTRA MILE

You may not have money, but you have something just as powerful: your voice.

Please, share this story.

With your friends. In schools. At work. On social media.

Because Palestine is not just a land… it is the scale of our human conscience.

And I still believe… that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you for reading this. Thank you for caring.

With gratitude,

Ali, Al-Hasasneh"

I am Sarah, and I witnessed this story—every single word of it.

Ali is not just a friend. He is a symbol. A mirror reflecting the resilience of every human being striving to survive with dignity.

Please… let his voice be heard. Let his hope reach the hearts of those who still care.

Because hope, like love, travels faster than fear.

And maybe, just maybe… you’re the reason he makes it to the light.

Sincerely,

Sara Parravicini

from Milan, Italy

Follow Ali on Instagram and Tiktok