Do you remember February 25th, 2024? It was a Sunday. Maybe you were at work, if you work weekends, or maybe you were trying to catch up with housework or rest. Perhaps you provide care work for a loved one and your day was filled with assisting someone with their daily tasks.
On that day, a seventeen year old boy named Muhammad Atalla was carrying aid from the Nabulsi Roundabout on the south-western edge of Gaza City. Before he got there, he was shot through the left hand and arm with an explosive bullet. This injury left Muhammad with bone fragmentation and nerve damage. The bone grafting procedure needed to restore the health and functionality of his hand and arm is estimated to cost €31,253, money which his family does not have. He has no way to rest at home in safety while raising money for his procedure, because his family’s house was completely destroyed. His father, Sobhi, is also disabled and needs constant medical care.
Of all the people in Gaza who have reached out to me, Muhammad’s family still needs to raise the most money. Funds to his campaign are intended to help with medical care for his injury and his father’s illness, rebuilding their home, and supporting the survival of his entire family– his parents Sobhi and Alaa, his siblings Iman, Amani, Alaa, Suja, Rahaf, Retaj, and Ahmed, as well as Ahmed’s children Amir and Malak (who is only 3 years old).
His initial goal was €82,000, and he has worked hard to promote his campaign, raising over €21,292. This is due to enormous effort, and is extremely impressive given the circumstances, but it is nowhere near the needed goal. His family still needs to raise over €60,000! (For my followers in the United States, he needs to raise over $65,500).
For my followers in the global north, Imagine how hard it is to raise that much money even for those of us who are adults, have secure and livable housing, are capable of earning a wage in Euros, GBP or USD, aren’t suffering from bone fragmentation and nerve damage, aren’t trying to support 11 other family members including a chronically ill father and two young children. Now imagine how hopeless this feels as a 17 year old with none of these securities.
Please help him out if you can. Every donation is evidence that someone recognizes his pain and resilience, and believes in his right to one day truly rest and heal.