Many Palestinians are studying medicine at universities around the world. Due to the ongoing war, most of these students have lost their sources of income and are struggling to cover rent, tuition fees, and living expenses.
Although FQMS does not usually run projects with medical schools outside Palestine, the current need is both immense and urgent. In December 2023, we launched an emergency campaign to raise funds for immediate financial aid for medical students studying abroad.
In the first phase, in January 2024, we provided financial support to around 20 students, mainly in Egypt, to help them through these difficult times by covering part of their living expenses. By August 2024, in the second phase, we extended this support to medical students in Turkey and Egypt. Overall, 44 students have benefited from the funds raised, which have helped them cover essential living costs. You can read some of the heartfelt testimonials we have received from these students.
If you would like to support this programme, please donate via the link below.
Testimonials
“I am Bassam from Gaza, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Egypt. The current situation is challenging due to the ongoing war in Gaza and the difficulties in collecting funds for living expenses and university fees amidst these trying circumstances.
The financial aid we have received covers some of our living expenses and helps us continue our studies during these difficult times. May God remove this affliction from us, our families, and our country, and protect us all from harm.
Thank you for your support.”
Bassam
Testimonial 2
“I am Huda, a medical student from Gaza, studying at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University in Turkey.
My two sisters, who are also medical students in Turkey, and I have been doing our best to manage university and living expenses while the rest of our family remain in Gaza, currently under attack.
The war on Gaza has deeply affected both our lives here and our families’ lives there. We have been struggling through a very difficult time with no financial support, as our parents’ incomes were our main source of support while living abroad.
I would like to thank you for helping us during this difficult time. I am truly grateful for all the efforts you have made to support us on our academic journey.
Thank you.”
Huda
Testimonial 3
“My name is Hasan, a final-year medical student. Due to the ongoing conflict and economic challenges in Gaza, I have faced significant difficulties in covering my educational and living expenses abroad.
I received financial aid from FQMS, which has been crucial in alleviating some of the financial burdens I face and has allowed me to focus more on my studies.
If additional funding is available, I would be grateful for further support to cover my ongoing expenses. This would greatly assist me in becoming a doctor and serving my community in Gaza.
I am deeply appreciative of the support I have received so far.”
Hassan
Testimonial 4
“I am a student from Gaza studying medicine in Egypt. I am in my final year and will graduate in December. I still have two years of tuition fees to cover, and there are also two years of residency in Egypt, which will cost $3,000 per year. This situation has become particularly challenging since the war on Gaza, as it was not anticipated.
Due to the current situation in Gaza, our home and land have been bombed. These were our only sources of income to pay for my tuition fees. As a result, I am now facing significant difficulties continuing my education.
The reason I need this financial aid is that support for students has decreased significantly compared to the initial months. Therefore, we urgently need assistance.
Thank you for your support and standing by the students.”
Ibrahim
Testimonial 5
“I am a medical student from Gaza studying medicine at Okan University in Turkey. My two sisters, who are also medical students in Turkey, and I have been doing our best to manage university and living expenses while the rest of our family remains in Gaza, currently under attack.
The war on Gaza has greatly impacted both our lives here and our family’s lives there. We have been going through a very difficult time with no financial support, as our parents’ incomes were our main source of support while living abroad.
I want to sincerely thank you for helping us during this challenging time. I am truly grateful for all the efforts you have made to support us in our academic journey.
Thank you.”
Nada
Testimonial 6
“I am a student at Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine. My family is in Gaza, and transferring money from Gaza to Egypt has become very difficult due to the current circumstances. I live near the university where living costs are high, so I decided to rent an apartment without electrical appliances or furniture. The funds I received helped me purchase some essential furniture for the apartment.
Receiving this aid has been very helpful, but it is unfortunate that we now have a great need for it, whereas before the war, we were managing well. I had hoped that we could maintain our situation as it was before the war.”
Ehap
Testimonial 7
“I am Majeda, a Palestinian currently studying at the Faculty of Medicine in Egypt. I am here with my family after being evacuated from the war to ensure our survival. My family consists of my mother, father, sister, and three brothers. One of my brothers, who is also a medical student, is a year younger than me and lives in a different province far from us.
Since the war began, our family has had no income because my father lost his job. I reached out for financial assistance to cover the rent for our house, my brother’s house, and some personal and university expenses for the upcoming period.
Two days ago, I received financial aid from FQMS, which allowed me to pay for rent and purchase some essential items. I am deeply grateful for your support. It has alleviated some of the stress about the future, including how to manage our obligations and has helped me focus more on my studies.
Thank you again for your assistance.”
Majeda
Testimonial 8
“I am Talat, a final-year medical student from Gaza. Due to the current situation in Gaza and the loss of communication with my family, I am facing significant challenges. Unfortunately, there is no financial support available to me here.
The funds I received have been crucial for covering my rent and personal living expenses. I am deeply grateful for your support during this difficult time and hope that it will continue until we overcome this ordeal.
Thank you once again for your assistance.”
Talat
Testimonial 9
“First of all, I would like to thank you for your help and interest in providing assistance, as well as for ensuring that it reached me.
To give you more details about my situation, I am Ola, currently in my fifth year of medical school at a Sudanese university, studying in a temporary centre in Egypt. Despite some difficulties, including challenges in completing my tuition fees and academic struggles due to my late arrival caused by border and crossing conditions, I am now in my final year.
As a Palestinian from Gaza, with my family still in Gaza, I wish for their safety. The assistance you provided has been crucial in alleviating the burden of my rent this month and covering some personal expenses, especially given the difficult circumstances and the challenges of communicating with my family for support.
Thank you again for your invaluable assistance.”
Ola
Testimonial 10
I am a fifth-year medical student studying in Egypt, with my graduation scheduled for December.
Due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, my family has been unable to send my monthly allowance since October 2023. This has created a significant financial burden, as I am responsible for covering my living expenses, including rent and personal necessities.
Shuroq
Testimonial 11
“I am a medical student from Gaza currently studying in Egypt, in the final stage of my bachelor’s degree. I am set to graduate in December 2024.
The war has destroyed my family’s source of income, which has significantly impacted me as a student living abroad who relies on my family for financial support. I am now struggling to cover the costs of my education and living expenses.
The financial assistance I received has been essential in helping me pay for rent and my basic living needs. I am deeply grateful for your support during these challenging times and hope it can continue until we overcome this hardship.
Thank you once again for your help.”
Abdullah
Testimonial 12
“I am a 24-year-old intern doctor at Mansoura University Hospitals, Egypt. I graduated in November 2023 from the Faculty of Medicine at Mansoura University with an average of 85.6%, despite facing numerous challenges, particularly the genocide in Gaza. Witnessing the devastation and being worried about my father, mother, and my two younger sisters who have been in constant danger and struggling to survive amid the ongoing violence for over 300 days, has been profoundly distressing. The events since October 2023, along with the sorrow, sadness, and loss of many family members, have been heart-wrenching. However, this has only strengthened my resolve to pursue my medical career, make my family proud, and one day return as a skilled physician to help my people in Palestine.
As a medical student living abroad, I am currently facing numerous challenges, not only due to the emotional toll of the genocide but also because of financial difficulties that have intensified since October 2023. I live in Egypt with my two brothers: Mohammed, 26, who completed his internship at Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital in Gaza during the war. Concerned about his safety and career, my family insisted he return to Egypt to complete his training. The younger one is a fourth-year medical student at Mansoura University. We are struggling with the costs of education, living expenses, and rent. Additionally, I need resources to support my studies, including funding for exams necessary for traveling to the UK and passing the UKMLA exams, which I can no longer afford.
Receiving financial aid from FQMS (Hanoon Foundation) has significantly alleviated my financial stress, allowing me to focus on my studies. This support has enabled me to register for the OET exam next month, a prerequisite for the UKMLA exams. It has also helped cover bills and living expenses, which are crucial to my development as a future healthcare professional.
This support not only impacts my immediate circumstances but also empowers me to give back to my community in Palestine. I look forward to continuing my career in the UK, gaining experience in a dynamic medical environment. I am passionate about learning from experienced professionals and improving my medical skills and knowledge under any circumstances.
Your assistance would be a critical step in my journey, enabling me to make a difference in others’ lives. I aspire to return home as a skilled and experienced surgeon to help those who have suffered as I have.”
AMRO
Testimonial 13
“I am writing these words to thank everyone who worked on this project to support Palestinian medical students studying abroad.
I am a Palestinian postgraduate medical student studying in Egypt. My wife and I are facing challenging circumstances since the beginning of the war in Gaza, which destroyed everything, including our home, my parents’ work, and the support from our families. My family is now living in a tent in Khan Younis, and I am unable to communicate with them frequently due to internet issues. Additionally, money transfers to Egypt are only possible with very high commission fees. I will use this financial support to pay for my wife’s tuition fees at the university.”
Hassan