My name is Alaa, and I hold a Masters degree in Architectural Engineering. I have always believed that education and hard work are the keys to building the future, and that dedication opens doors to every dream. Before the war, I was working in three different roles at the same time: I felt that I was steadily moving toward my biggest dream: obtaining a PhD to continue my academic and professional journey and serve my community more deeply. But the war changed everything. Be part of this journey; help me bring hope back to life. And this is my story, which we have lived and continue to live under the war.
My name is Alaa, and I am a mother of three dear children: Mousa, 12 years old, and my twin daughters Ella and Ellen, 8 years old. Before October 7, our lives were full of hope and success. I worked as an architect, holding a Master’s degree in the field, and I had a great passion for my work. I worked tirelessly day and night. During the day, I traveled between municipalities to deliver lectures to design students at universities, and at night, I worked privately to support my family. My husband, Ahmed, a civil engineer, also worked hard. We lived a stable life and were preparing for a new chapter, as I had started working on my PhD dissertation. Our future looked bright, and everything seemed promising.
But on October 7, everything changed. Our home was completely destroyed by intense bombing. We lost everything we had worked hard for over the years. In an instant, we became homeless with nowhere to go. It was an unbelievable moment, a moment when our whole life shattered. But the tragedy did not end there. We lost many loved ones in the war. My husband’s brother and my cousin’s daughter were martyred, along with many other relatives. The pain and sorrow we feel increased with each loss. My children’s health has deteriorated significantly. Mousa, 12 years old, suffered a severe injury to his foot during the bombing. This injury continues to cause him severe physical and psychological pain. As for my twin daughters, Ella and Ellen, their health is continuously deteriorating. Ella suffers from severe blood infections since birth and requires long term treatment. Ellen suffers from a neurological disorder caused by electrical hyperactivity in her body, leading to frequent life-threatening seizures. Under these harsh conditions, we now live in worn out tents that are unfit for habitation. We have no food or clean drinking water, and hunger is rapidly consuming us. The bombing never stops. We live in constant fear, aware that death may come at any moment. We do not know where to go or what to do; everything is dark and unclear. Despite all this, we still cling to hope. We need you more than ever. We need your support to escape this hell and reach Egypt, where our children can receive the urgent medical care they need, and where we can start a new life away from war and destruction. Every donation you make is a step toward saving our lives. You are our only hope in these difficult circumstances. We need your help to have a chance at a new life, to live in peace and safety. Please, be part of this hope and extend your helping hand to us in these hard moments.