Muhammed lost his father when he was just 2 years old. Now aged, he tries his best to be a pillar of strength for his 2 younger sisters and aging grandfather while facing the harsh reality of displacement in Gaza.

Despite the destruction of his home and being forced to live in a tent, Muhammed has refused to give up. He believes that education can help him build a better future for himself and his family.

Before the current crisis, Muhammed and his family lived a simple and peaceful life in his maternal grandparents’ home.

Muhammed attended school regularly and worked hard at his studies. In his free time, he enjoyed swimming and playing football with his friends and cousins. His younger sisters also grew up surrounded by a loving and supportive family.

That sense of safety disappeared when the shelling began.

The family was forced to flee their home with little more than the clothes they were wearing.

Daily life became extremely difficult; the family had to fetch water and collect firewood for cooking, while smoke from the fire affected their breathing. Their small living space offered little protection from cold weather and rain.

Determined to continue his education

Still, Muhammed remained determined to finish school.

He walked long distances each day to find places with internet access so that he could take his high-school exams. After returning to the tent, he studied in cold and damp conditions, using every quiet moment he could find.

His hard work paid off.

Muhammed graduated from high school with a score of 84%, an achievement made even more remarkable by the difficult circumstances in which he was studying.

The opportunity to begin university gave him new hope. His first semester was free of charge, allowing him to start studying digital marketing.

However, continuing his studies will be much more difficult. Muhammed is worried about how he will pay future tuition fees and obtain a laptop, which he needs to complete his course and assignments.

Islamic Relief’s orphan sponsorship provides vital support

During this difficult period, the monthly sponsorship Muhammed receives through Islamic Relief has become an important source of support for his family.

The assistance helps them meet essential needs and reduces some of the financial pressure. This gives him more opportunity to focus on his studies and continue working towards his future.

Before the war, Islamic Relief was supporting 8,700 sponsored orphans. Today, the program supports nearly 25,200 orphaned children, representing an approximately 190% increase. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we have tripled the number of children we support in Gaza.

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

For Muhammed, education is about much more than earning a qualification. It represents a way to build an independent future and eventually support the people he loves.

He hopes that completing university will allow him to find work and provide greater stability for his family.

A family still in urgent need

Life inside the tent remains extremely difficult.

Muhammed and his family need safer and more secure shelter, particularly during winter’s cold and wet weather. A larger tent and protective coverings would help shield them from rain and harsh conditions.

They also need basic household items, including mattresses, warm blankets, somewhere to store their clothes and personal belongings, cooking equipment and winter clothing and shoes for Muhammed and his sisters.

For Muhammed, a laptop is also essential if he is to continue his university studies. Support with future tuition fees would help him remain enrolled and keep working towards his dream.

These basic needs could provide the family with greater safety and stability while helping Muhammed continue his education.

Holding on to hope

Muhammed has lost his home and the life he once knew, but he has not lost his belief in the power of education.

His determination to study while living through displacement shows how strongly he believes in building a different future for himself and his family.

With continued support, young people like Muhammed can hold on to their education, their ambitions and their hope for what comes next.

With your support, Islamic Relief will continue to be a lifeline for orphaned children in Palestine.