BE THE REASON ABOOD CAN SAVE HIS HAND AND ACHIEVE HIS DREAMS

Product Description

Australia

Supporters

Hello, my name is Anastasia – I’m an artist, educator, and mutual aid activist from Naarm (Melbourne), Australia and I am making an urgent appeal for my young friend ABOOD. This campaign has been vetted and verified, so you can trust your donations are directly reaching a boy who so desperately needs these funds to survive and heal.

Your contribution, be it via donation and/or sharing his story and link within your own networks – is both a means of survival and hope and we are so grateful for your support.

update 03.03.2025:

responding to the current situation, and with no foreseeable means for Abood to be able leave Gaza for the surgery he needs, an additional US$5000/ AU$8000 has been added to the campaign goal as survival funds so that Abood does not have to draw on his surgery and rehabilitation funds – this extra US$5000 aims to help support Abood to pay for food, water, pain medication, basic necessities and his study costs as he prepares for his upcoming year 12 exams.

+ please see updates for a message from Abood

update 21.07.2025:

+ please see updates for an important message from Abood

Abood is only 17 years old, is from Gaza, has been displaced multiple times, has experienced trauma beyond imagining, and is now doing all he can to survive in Deir Al-Balah (*following the “ceasefire” Abood returned to North Gaza)

Several months ago, following a missile attack on the building next to where he was living, Abood sustained a severe shrapnel injury to his hand, causing uncontrolled bleeding which required emergency surgery under dire conditions without anesthesia or any pain relief. And although it stemmed the bleeding and saved hos life, the surgery failed, leaving this seventeen-year-old boy, trapped in a gen ocidal nightmare, needing critical surgery to save his hand from possible amputation with no immediate way out – as you know, the few remaining hospitals in Gaza are only partially functioning and all are unable to provide the required surgery to repair the nerve damage, and to save his hand.

Abood has tragically lost many, many of his family members. The lack of aid and food scarcity, especially a lack of proteins and fresh food, contributes to the deterioration of his health and his inability to recover from the injury he has suffered.

Before the war, Abood was an ambitious bodybuilder. He had a fit and strong body, but with this war, Abood lost his muscles and a great deal of weight, his health condition deteriorated, and he was deprived of practicing his favorite sport. He is an intelligent, kind, studious, hard-working boy, who was studying before the invasion for scholarship opportunities and to fulfill his dream of attending a good university and becoming an interior designer.

He urgently needs to travel to Egypt to receive treatment as soon as possible. And needs to safely reunite with family members who are in Egypt.

To save his arm and his life, Please, I beg you, to donate generously and share this link as much as possible, we don’t have much time left to ensure he has the funds to cover his surgery as soon as he is able to evacuate, and the process to let him out of his situation can take time. Every single donation, no matter how small will make a difference. We will be grateful to you forever.

In Abood’s own words – “I was living a beautiful life, and I had money, friends, family. I had everything. In an instant, I lost it all, and I will not allow myself to lose my hand either, because according to me, if I lose it, I will lose my life.”

!! PLEASE don’t leave this brave young man alone. Be the reason he can save his hand and achieve all his dreams.!!

Abood will use your donations as follows, US$4000 for surgery (approx. AU$5,900) US$2000 for aftercare and rehabilitation costs (approx. AU$2,960) and US$2000 for living expenses (approx. AU$2,960) the remaining difference is to cover any exchange rate fluctuations

**updated 03.03.205 – responding to the current situation, and with no foreseeable means to leave Gaza for the surgery he needs, an additional US$5000 has been added to the campaign goal as survival funds so that Abood does not have to draw on his surgery and rehabilitation funds – this extra US$5000 aims to help support Abood to pay for food, water, pain medication, basic necessities and his study costs as he prepares for his upcoming year 12 exams

+ I commit to complete transparency to all our donors, will publish regular updates and am open to answering any questions you might have.

+ this campaign is supported by global volunteer collective @beesandwatermelons who stringently vet and verify all their listed campaigns

+ Absolutely 100% of the funds raised go to Abood

(When the ceasefire was announced in January)

I truly believed it was the end. The end of the darkest chapter in the history of the Palestinian conflict. The war that everyone described as the most brutal and horrific had finally stopped. The genocide, the famine, the killing, the displacement it all came to a halt. Life was supposed to begin returning to normal, even if slowly and painfully. Everyone knew it would take time and effort, but we were hopeful. We had entered what we called the recovery phase. Most importantly, the war had ended. The suffering had ended. As the ceasefire began, people started to breathe again. Life began to return. People resumed their daily routines without fear. Everyone was planning for the next stage, believing the nightmare was over. But after forty days of relative calm, everything collapsed again. The situation didn’t just return to how it was it became worse. That’s why I call this a new war. It’s different from the year and three months we endured before. It’s more vicious, more terrifying. When the temporary ceasefire ended and the airstrikes resumed, I was awake late at night. I heard the sound I had almost forgotten—the sound of bombs. The strikes were near my home. There’s a school just a few meters away from us, and it was the first target. I heard the screams of women and children as they burned and died from the direct hit. The fear came rushing back—not just fear of the bombs, but fear of tomorrow, of what’s coming, of what will happen to us. Israel launched a new military operation and officially declared the war had resumed. The siege returned. The crossings were closed. Day by day, hunger began to consume our bodies. Everything that was once available disappeared. The feeling of safety vanished. The feeling of fullness vanished. And the fear returned, this time mixed with hunger worse than before. Now, as I write this message, I don’t know if anyone will read it or feel what I feel. I don’t even know if I’ll live to finish writing it. The bombing hasn’t stopped. My family and I are sitting in an area the Israeli army claims is a combat zone. During the ceasefire, I was preparing for my final high school exams—Grade 12, the most critical year before university. Despite the lack of schools and teachers, I was studying on my own and through online lessons. But now, nothing is clear. I don’t know if I’ll lose my chance to attend university, or if I’ll be able to finish my exams and get my certificate before registration closes. And I’m not just enduring hunger, fear, and uncertainty. I’ve also been living with pain in my injured hand for over a year. I was wounded while displaced in Rafah. My hand needs surgery nerve reconstruction. But Gaza’s healthcare system is in crisis. There’s no capacity for proper care or operations. During the ceasefire, I was waiting to travel abroad for treatment. I was supposed to leave in April. But with the war resuming, the crossings closed, and I was denied my basic right to medical care. Now, even food and medicine are scarce and unaffordable. After long thought and with great hesitation, I’ve decided to reopen my fundraising campaign. I had closed it for a while, but I’m hoping for support from those who care about me and understand the harsh reality we’re living. Every dollar you donate will go toward my monthly personal expenses -just enough to keep me alive and standing in the face of this genocide and injustice. If the campaign succeeds and someone donates a larger amount, it will go toward the surgery I need abroad when the opportunity arises, and toward my university education if I survive this war. I have many dreams, and I will achieve them with your help and support. I hope to receive your support, even if it’s small. Every bit counts in these circumstances. Thank you all, and I’m sorry for asking.

Abood from Gaza, with love.❤️

in 2 days, on april 10 it is habibi abood’s 18th birthday a birthday under bombardment

abood should be celebrating this milestone with friends and joy and laughter like the hundreds of thousands of other kids who share his birthdate all over the world but he’s not.

please help me give this sweet boy some birthday joy and remind him that he is not forgotten

Hello all, Abood asked me to send the following message to you all.

Hello my friends, Ramadan Kareem.

I know its been a while since you heard from me but I really need your help again.

After the delays in my travel and the obstruction of my travel multiple times, my needs in Gaza have become numerous and monthly. Because of this, I decided to raise donations again to avoid using the funds allocated for my surgery, travel, and treatment. I do not want to be forced to do that, and so I turn to you, my family, again.

As I approach the end of my high school studies and 12th grade, expenses have increased and become substantial. In addition to the costs of food, water and basic necessities, I need to pay for my monthly lessons for the subjects, given the lack of schools and free education. Additionally, printing papers and booklets require a lot. Therefore, I have renewed my campaign, and I hope everyone will support me in continuing my life in Gaza until I have the opportunity to undergo my surgery and travel.

All my love to you, my family.

Abood

————————————————————————————————————————-

Hello all,

I understand with Abood having left social media that sometimes it’s easy to forget that he has a campaign and still needs our support, but he does, very much. There is only one donor who has continued to support Abood since he closed his Instagram page. I am humbly asking you to respond to Abood’s request for help as it took a great deal for him to reach out again.

He has returned to his home in the North and life is very difficult there, the chance of anyone getting out of gaza currently via medical evacuation has become even less likely than ever and our dear boy is doing all he can to excel in his studies in preparation for his year 12 exams in the hope an excellent result might give him the opportunity of a future university scholarship.

Our sweet habibi is as curious, smart, and focused as ever, but he is exhausted, and holding onto hope has become more difficult for him. Please don’t forget our dear boy when you are distributing your care coin.

with hope and solidarity

Anastasia (aboods’ australian auntie)

Anonymous

6 days ago

$10

Same Star

10 days ago

– Offline donation

$50

Anonymous

11 days ago

$10

Anonymous

20 days ago

$10

Anonymous

26 days ago

$10

Anonymous

4 weeks ago

$10

Kim

5 weeks ago

– Offline donation

$22

Alessandra Masullo

5 weeks ago

$5

Sandy Issa Balat

5 weeks ago

$16

Antonio Giulio Mele

5 weeks ago

$150

Anonymous

5 weeks ago

$10

Anonymous

6 weeks ago

$10

Anonymous

7 weeks ago

$10

Anonymous

2 months ago

$10

Anonymous

2 months ago

$10

dante

2 months ago

– Offline donation

$85

Anonymous

2 months ago

$10

Anonymous

2 months ago

$60

Anonymous

4 months ago

$30

Dante HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABOOD

4 months ago

– Offline donation

$170

Greta Gillies

Dear Abood, we see you and wish the best for you x

10 months ago

Rachel Ogi

this week we’re aiming to raise $1000 USD for our dear abood! donate directly or bop over to my Instagram @rachogi for more ways to support our habibi ❤️

10 months ago

Anonymous

Dustin, a proud member of the #pups4palestine – Good Boi unit, is so happy to support Aboods campaign because a good boi knows whats up

10 months ago

Anastasia La Fey

the ART FOR MATERIAL AID INITIATIVE (INDEPENDENT ARTISTS AGAINST GENOCIDE FROM NAARM [MELBOURNE] AND BEYOND) is so chuffed to be able to support Abood’s campaign through the sale of donated works. At a time when our moneyed Arts Institutions are largely silent, independent artists understand the importance of using our art for good. Good Luck Abood – we hope you reach your goal soon!

11 months ago

anastasia la fey

Abood