My name is Ileana Rita Cosentino, I am a writer and musician based in London, and my best friend Yahya Alhamarna lives in Gaza. He is a brilliant and talented poet and writer, student in Political Science. His dream is to become a doctor in International Relations and Diplomacy. After seven months of merciless, unbearable war crimes and atrocities, several displacements from Gaza City to Rafah, destroyed houses and dreams, losses of friends and relatives, despite everything, Yahya keeps dreaming and hoping for a bright and peaceful future for himself, for his family, for Palestinians, for the world all.
In November, Al Azhar University has been bombed, systematically, as all the other universities in the Strip. Yahya, until few months ago, was ranked first in his class, he embodied determination and passion for his career and duty as a diplomat. But now it is impossible to study in Gaza. We together can give him the opportunity to travel abroad and continue his studies.
We aim to reach £5000 so to cover the expenses for the upcoming Bachelor academic year.
"Our smiles have been stolen. Everything beautiful has been stolen from us, our dreams, our ambitions, our universities that teach us, but they will not steal our souls from us. They will not steal from us our pen. We will keep writing, we will keep writing and, as long as we are alive, we will keep living" - Yahya alhamarna.
All together, even with the smallest amount donated with our hearts, can save Yahya's life and future.
Thank you.