At 18 years old, Malak is holding onto her childhood dream: to become a doctor. Today, she lives with her mother and 2 brothers, Uday and Atef, in a tent in Gaza after their family home was destroyed. Life is difficult and uncertain, but Malak remains determined to continue her education and build a better future.

Despite displacement and the disruption caused by the crisis, Malak completed high school with an impressive score of 96%. She then chose to study medicine, taking an important step towards the career she has dreamed about for years.

Continuing her studies, however, is extremely difficult.

Many universities and educational facilities in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, while much learning has moved online. Reliable internet access can be difficult to find, and Malak also needs a laptop to attend lectures and complete her work.

Her tuition fees are another major challenge, and her family cannot afford them without additional support.

Studying while living with pain

Malak is also dealing with a serious injury: she was shot and the bullet remains lodged in her abdomen. She continues to attend medical check-ups while waiting for surgery that is currently unavailable to her under Gaza’s collapsing healthcare system.

Despite living with pain, Malak continues to study and help her family.

At home, she supports her mother with everyday tasks including cooking, cleaning and washing. Her mother works in a small bakery. But the little she earns is not enough to cover the family’s basic needs.

Life after losing their home

Before the crisis, Malak and her family lived in a concrete house. Then their home was destroyed. Now, they live in a worn tent that offers little protection from cold weather, summer heat or heavy rain.

The family needs basic items including a stronger tent, waterproof coverings, mattresses, blankets, cooking equipment, gas, a water tank, food, hygiene supplies and a reliable source of light.

Malak also needs clothes and shoes, alongside financial help with her university fees and a laptop to continue her medical studies.

How Islamic Relief supports orphaned children

Malak’s family receives support from Islamic Relief at a time when rising costs and displacement have made meeting everyday needs increasingly difficult.

Islamic Relief has supported orphaned children in Gaza since 1999 through our Orphan Sponsorship Programme. The programme supports children who have lost one or both parents and provides families with a regular monthly payment.

Families can use this support to meet the needs they consider most urgent, including food, healthcare, education and other essential expenses. Islamic Relief also aims, where possible, to include sponsored families in seasonal support. Projects such as Ramadan and qurbani food distributions, Eid gifts and winter assistance.

The programme has expanded significantly during the current crisis. Islamic Relief is now supporting nearly 25,200 orphaned children in Gaza.

However, there are currently over 5,100 newly orphaned children on our waiting list, hoping for the lifeline of sponsorship.

A chance to keep moving forward

For Malak, continuing university is about more than earning a degree. She hopes that becoming a doctor will allow her to care for people experiencing the same pain and hardship she has lived through herself.

Despite losing her home, living with a serious injury and danger (and facing major barriers) Malak has not given up on that dream.

With continued support, young people like Malak can keep learning, remain hopeful and work towards a more secure future.

Islamic Relief’s Orphan Sponsorship Program helps provide regular support to orphaned children and their families in Gaza. Be a lifeline for Gaza’s orphans by donating today.