URGENT: Help Nada leave GAZA to get Chevening Scholarship!

Hello. I am Yamen Bousrih, based in Paris, France, and with my wife Nassima Chahboun, we would like to help our friend Nada Al Farra from Gaza.

Nada got an offer from Greenwich University and is shortlisted for Chevening interview. But she needs to leave Gaza ASAP to be able to pass the interview and pursue her dreams! All she needs is the evacuation fees!

(On the photo, we are together at the Wikimedia Annual Conference in Singapore, August 2023, before her life takes this unexpected turn c.f. her recent testimonial on Wikimedia Diff.)

Here is Nada Story:

'' My name is Nada Alfarra, and I'm a doctor from Gaza with dreams that reach far beyond the confines of conflict. Recently, I received an invitation to interview for a Chevening Scholarship, a prestigious opportunity that would allow me to study Global Health Management at the University of Greenwich. This degree isn't just a personal milestone; it's a stepping stone to enhancing healthcare for the Palestinian people, especially those displaced by ongoing war, like myself.

Life in Gaza has been fraught with hurdles. From navigating the complexities of obtaining my Medical degree in a rural area to coping with the harsh realities of war, every day brings new challenges. I hail from Khan Yunis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, where simple commutes to university were daily battles. Financial burdens have always loomed large—my family managed to fund half of my tuition fees of 24,000 JOD, exhausting their resources while supporting a household of six, including a brother with cerebral palsy and parents suffering from chronic illnesses. The war has taken a toll too, robbing two of my brothers of their jobs and adding to our financial strain.

Despite these adversities, I've dedicated myself to spreading knowledge and well-being. Since 2018, I've been involved in Open Knowledge initiatives and led the Dadd Stories project, providing free Arabic stories for children, and contributing to leadership development within the international Wikimedia Movement (Yes, the movement behind Wikipedia and many other wonderful open-knowledge projects!).

However, the conflict has left me displaced, jobless after my role with UNRWA was cut, and now living in a tent in Rafah, where I face the added challenge of frequent internet outages that affect my work as a freelancer and a doctor.

Today, I find myself at a crossroads. The Rafah crossing, my only gateway to seizing this educational opportunity and returning to rebuild Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, is closed unless I can afford the $9,000 fee. This fee stands between me and my ability to attend the Chevening interview, a critical step towards realizing my dreams of aiding those in dire need.

Your support can make a profound difference. It can help cover the crossing fees that block my path and ensure that my journey towards healing and leading does not end here. With your help, we can foster hope and resilience, not just in my life, but across communities in Gaza, uplifting those who face the daily trials of conflict and displacement.

Together, we can preserve and empower a leader dedicated to nurturing more leaders in one of the world's most turbulent regions. Thank you for considering my story and the impact your support can have.''

Collected money will be transferred to Nada's bank account.

Thank you!