I am Hossam Howaihi, 18 years old, from Gaza.

I was born an orphan — my father was killed while I was still in my mother’s womb. I never saw his face, only knew him through people’s stories and my mother’s tears. I grew up searching for safety among the sounds of bombs, watching my childhood fade away in the war.

Today, I am a young man, but my life is full of wounds. Our home was destroyed, and now we have nothing but a small tent that protects us neither from the cold nor the heat. My education was lost between displacement and interruptions, and the certificate I dreamed of earning was buried under the rubble.

I try to be a support for my mother, but the truth is, we need support ourselves. Every day we struggle with the lack of the most basic needs: food, clean water, medicine. Even my dreams have become simple… a safe bed, a book to study, and hope for a better tomorrow.

I am Hossam, a son of Gaza. My story is not mine alone — it is the story of thousands of young people who lost their homes, families, and future. Life has taken so much from us, but I still hold on to hope.

Please donate now to support me and my mother, so we can rebuild a part of our lives and create a better future despite all the hardships.