We are fundraising for an amazing young woman called Hala Mdukh, an 18-year-old a poet, educator and important voice from Gaza who has reached the world through her beautiful, poignant work.

Before the genoicide, Hala Mdouk used to take part in online link ups with different volunteers around the world with her school class, organised by the UK charity The Hands Up Project.

But it is really as a poet that she came into her own. She has her work published in four different Hands up books, including a collected works of her own, simply titled 'Hala'.

However, Hala is struggling with a chronic kidney condition and her family are without the means to pay for the treatment. Our group, Hastings Jews for Justice, intends to raise enough money to pay for this for the next couple of years.

This is her story in her own words:

“I’m Hala, 18 years old, from Gaza….

I grew up in a place that taught me how to be strong in silence, and how to keep my dreams alive despite everything that tries to extinguish them. I believe that a person is known by their depth, not by their noise, and by their impact, not by their words.

'I joined the Hands Up Project in 2023, starting my journey by attending Zoom sessions with Ms. Amal, which opened a window for me into a world full of inspiration, learning, and opportunities to express myself. It has been an honor to be part of Hands Up Project, a space that gave me the chance to be myself, to learn, and to work within a team that believes change begins with a sincere step. Through this journey, I discovered my ability to make an impact and to turn quiet passion into real action.

Within the Hands Up Project, my role was as a poet and writer; I expressed through words what often remains unspoken, transforming emotions and experiences into texts with meaning and impact. I accomplished many literary works, including publishing my own book, which carries my voice and experiences, and also contributing to a collective book titled “From Dust, We Rise”, a shared space for stories of resilience and hope.'

We hope you can offer some hope and help to Hala with a donation. She deserves a life free from pain and struggle, one where can pursue her talents and follow her dreams. Below is a poem from book 'Hala' titled: Hell in a Bottle.