Help a Gazan Evacuee Family Rebuild Their Lives

I am Nizar Zakout from Gaza City, age 29, and I am one of the lucky ones. After 7 months of surviving bombing, starvation, disease, and months in a tent in Rafah, I managed to evacuate to Egypt on May 6, 2024 with my family. As bombs rained down on the now-closed border crossing, I fled on the last bus out of Gaza.

We were able to evacuate thanks to the generosity of everyone who contributed to this fund. (My original appeal letter for evacuation funds is below and you can follow our journey in the fund updates).

Now, I’ve managed to secure a place in a Master’s program in Lausanne, Switzerland, starting in September, 2024. It’s an opportunity not only for me to pick up the pieces of my career — it’s also a chance for me to earn a living and support my family of seven adults. All of us have lost our livelihoods and this is our best chance to rebuild our lives with dignity.

While I’m fortunate to have a confirmed job at the university that will pay my tuition and some bills, I still have to pay to get to Switzerland to start this program. Here’s my steep list of expenses:

CHF 750 or $840 - First semester fees at Hes-SO (University of Applied Sciences and Arts)

CHF 4000 or $4400 - Accommodation at university dorms for first semester (required to apply for a Swiss visa)

CHF 2150 or $2400 - A laptop that is able to handle augmented reality and 3D projects (Macbook pro M2) which I will need for my job. In Egypt, this costs $2400.

CHF 60 or $67 - Swiss student visa application fee

CHF 270 or $300 - one-way flight from Egypt to Switzerland

Total - CHF7230 or $8000

My family poured everything we owned into getting out of Gaza — I even sold my laptop to get the money together. None of us has yet been able to find work in Egypt, which is inundated with more than 200,000 refugees like me from Gaza arriving in the midst of a massive recession.

In Egypt, my family and I have struggled to find our way. We are devastated by what we escaped and haunted by our loved ones left behind. I cannot forget Gaza for one minute. Each day, I follow the news and pray for my friends and cousins. I have been able to reunite with some of my friends and students from Gaza Sky Geeks who are also in Egypt and that’s been a comfort sometimes.

But I need to move forward. I want to learn something that will occupy my mind and heart. This opportunity in Switzerland feels like a lifeline. But I am worried I will not be able to make it there. After losing everything, raising another $8000 feels impossible. My friends convince me that the world has not forgotten us and that there are generous people who want to invest in me. I hope to find those people. This hope keeps me going.

Thank you for listening. Please keep reading below for the rest of my story.

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I am Nizar Zaqout, a 28-year-old reaching out to you from the heart of the Gaza Strip – a place synonymous with resilience and struggle. Before the war, my family and I led a fulfilling life. We dwelled peacefully in the warm, beautiful home my parents had painstakingly built, stone by stone. We are even joyfully arranging for my sister's wedding, celebrating moments of happiness and excitement.

However, on the morning of October 7th, everything changed when the war erupted. In a matter of moments, we were forced to evacuate our home, leaving behind our belongings and the life we once knew. The hope of a swift return was shattered as we were compelled to relocate further south, joining 70 other displaced family members in a small house.

My father, a dedicated teacher, lost his job when the school he worked at was destroyed in the conflict. My sisters also lost their jobs, leaving us without any sources of income. The circumstances became dire, making it nearly impossible to afford necessities such as water and food. To compound our challenges, my youngest brother is facing a kidney problem, requiring specific foods and clean water for his well-being.

For over 130 days, we have been running, seeking safety amidst bombings, and struggling to survive. It's not just the fear of bombs that haunt us but also the looming threats of starvation, disease, and harsh living conditions that could put our lives in danger.

I am reaching out to you with a desperate plea for your kind support to help my family evacuate to a safe place. The funds raised will be crucial in covering the expenses of traveling to Egypt, we need just to enter Eygpt 5k$ for every person.

My family contain 7, me Nezar

My father and mother.

My sisters Reem and Sabaa

My brothers Mohammed and Abdullah.

securing flights to the destination country, and addressing temporary living costs.

Every donation, regardless of its size, plays an instrumental role in ensuring the safety and well-being of my family. If contributing financially is not feasible for you, your assistance sharing this page with your friends and family will be precious. Time is of the essence, and your support can make a life-saving difference for us.

(our beautiful home before the war)

our home now

This is my photo in the tent.

This is my photo when I was in Switzerland before the war.

This is my mother's medical report. She was diagnosed with anemia, which needed special treatment and food, which is unaffordable during the war.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any support you can provide. Your compassion and generosity have the power to be the beacon of hope that my family and I desperately need.