HDF Success Series; A Story of Hope From Gaza
Many of our brothers and sisters in Gaza, the echoes of conflict run through their everyday lives. For them hope can feel like a distant dream. For families faced with displacement, fear, and uncertainty, survival becomes the only focus they have. For those of us that are given the privilege and opportunity, it is our job to rewrite that narrative. That’s why at the Human Development Fund (HDF), we utiliza education, shelter, and unwavering support to change their circumstances, spread hope and restore dignity in the face of unimaginable challenges.
Today, we share two powerful stories as the start of our HDF Success Series from Gaza. Stories of resilience, courage, and the profound impact of your support. Meet Ibrahim Abu Dgaim, a ten-year-old boy who dared to dream of education amidst chaos, and Bara’a Ahmed, a mother whose strength carried her family through countless displacements. Their journeys reflect the very essence of why we do what we do at HDF.
Ibrahim’s Story: Finding Safety and Dreams Again
“My name is Ibrahim Abu Dgaim, and I’m ten years old. I live in Gaza. Every day, I wake up to the sounds of explosions and chaos. The war has become a part of my life, but I have dreams, just like any other kid. I dream of going back to school, sitting in a classroom, and learning new things.”
For Ibrahim, the closure of schools during the ongoing conflict meant his dreams began to fade. With no place to learn or grow, he felt the light of hope dimming with each passing day. But then, something extraordinary happened. HDF built a school in the heart of Gaza as a part of our Seeds of Hope Program, a sanctuary for children like Ibrahim. This wasn’t just any school. It was a place filled with colorful classrooms, books, games, and most importantly, safety. Ibrahim remembers his first day vividly saying: “My teacher welcomed me with a warm smile and said, ‘Welcome to our school, Ibrahim. Here, you can learn and dream again.”
How is Ibrahim doing? He’s thriving. He studies subjects like Science, Math, Arabic, English, and Qur’an, and spends his days drawing, playing sports, and laughing with friends. He’s rediscovered joy and more importantly, hope. “Away from the sounds of war, I found a safe haven in our school,” he says. “Most importantly, I learned about strength and overcoming hardships. Despite the challenges, I found joy in the darkness.”
Ibrahim is a shining example of what’s possible when children are given a chance to dream again. “Thank you, HDF, for giving me and my friends a place to learn, grow, and feel safe. Without your support, none of this would have been possible.”
Bara’a Ahmed Story: A Mother’s Strength Through Adversity
“My name is Bara’a Ahmed, a mother from Gaza. Life here has never been easy, but the past few years have been a true test of my strength and resilience. Alongside my children, we’ve faced countless challenges and had to flee our home more times than I can count.”
Bara’a’s story is one of endurance. Each time she and her children were displaced, they were forced to wander from one place to another, desperately searching for safety and shelter. The uncertainty was unbearable, and the cold nights were the hardest to endure. The most harrowing moment came during their most recent displacement near Shohada’ Al-Aqsa Hospital. One night, as they huddled together inside their tent, tragedy struck. An airstrike hit nearby, and their tent caught fire. Flames surrounded them, and Bara’a feared the worst. “For a moment, I thought we wouldn’t survive,” she recalls. “But by the grace of God, we managed to escape with our lives.”
Given your support, HDF was able to step in to provide Bara’a and her family with a safe tent in one of our camps. It became more than just a shelter: it became a place of solace, warmth, and offered a renewed sense of life.“The HDF didn’t just provide us with a tent,” Bara’a explains. “They gave us hope and a lifeline in our darkest times.”
With their basic needs met, Bara’a has found the strength to rebuild her life and support her children. “HDF has been our pillar of strength,” she says. “Your compassion and dedication have made a world of difference—not just for me and my children, but for many families like ours. We owe our survival and hope for a better future to your incredible efforts.”
Making a Difference
Our mission at HDF goes beyond providing aid; we create opportunities for families and children to rebuild their lives. With a focus on:
- Creating Safe Spaces for Education: Schools like the one Ibrahim attends offer a secure environment where children can learn, dream, play, and thrive once again.
- Emergency Shelter: Tents and supplies provide immediate relief to displaced families like Bara’a’s, giving them a safe place to stay and regroup.
- Community Resilience: By addressing both immediate needs and long-term solutions, we empower individuals to overcome adversity and start rebuilding their lives.
Hope Is a Community Effort
Ibrahim and Bara’a’s stories are powerful reminders of the resilience of the human spirit and the incredible difference compassion can make. We share their journeys because they reflect the broader impact of HDF’s work in Gaza: transforming despair into hope, fear into safety, and loss into resilience. But none of this would be possible without your support.
A reminder that your donations help us provide education, shelter, and critical resources to families and children in need. Every dollar contributes to creating safe spaces, warm shelters, and brighter futures. It takes all of us, working together hand in hand to ensure that more children like Ibrahim and families like Bara’a’s have the chance to dream, learn, and rebuild.
Join us in making a difference today, learn more and donate at: https://hdfund.org/gaza-relief/
