Since Last Year
Like us, Ahmed is just a soccer player who wants what's best for his family and wants to play. Here's a summary of the challenges he faced since our first tournament last March.
Mar 2025
Blockade, Shortages, & Rebuilding
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An ongoing blockade in Gaza created severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.
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Daily life became a struggle to secure basic necessities.
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Ahmed rebuilt his family home from rubble with donor support
Apr 2025
Marriage to Nada
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Amidst the chaos, life must go on. Ahmed married his fiancée Nada despite siege conditions, soaring prices, and food shortages.
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“A new life was written for us.”
May 2025
Escalation of Violence & Humanitarian Aid Surge
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Intensified rocket fire and airstrikes caused widespread casualties.
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Food prices surged; families often survived on one meal a day.
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Increased UN and Red Cross aid offered brief relief, but shortages and illness persisted.
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Despite hardship, Ahmed returned to football and kept a clean sheet in his first matches back.
Jun–Jul 2025
Civil Unrest & Survival
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Protests and clashes erupted over worsening living conditions.
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Ahmed risked his life seeking flour; he and relatives came under tank fire and bombing, and his best friend lost an eye.
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Their home was damaged again by blasts.
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“I saw death in my eyes… I would rather die from starvation than from the tank.”
Aug 2025
Ceasefire & Tent Camp
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A temporary ceasefire was brokered, but devastation remained.
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Renewed attacks forced the family to abandon the home they rebuilt.
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They fled under fire through multiple evacuations; his father was injured.
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With donor support, they reached a displacement camp and secured a tent.
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“Overnight, I became displaced and homeless… because of you, we were able to get a tent.”
Oct–Nov 2025
A New Life On the Way
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Continued bombardment worsened infrastructure damage and living conditions.
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Ahmed and Nada were frequently ill due to shortages and unsafe conditions.
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Nada became pregnant; they plan to name their daughter Sham, after Ahmed’s niece killed in an airstrike.
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“The war has taken so much from us.”
Dec 2025–Jan 2026
Struggle to Find
a Place to Call Home
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As displacement surged across Gaza, Ahmed worked to leave the tents and rent a small, damaged house so the baby wouldn’t be born in a camp.
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Jan 9, 2026: he spent his birthday clearing rubble and preparing the new house.
Feb 2026
Soccer, Always
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Ahmed returned to playing soccer with his club, reclaiming moments of normalcy.
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The family continues to struggle with housing, safety, and access to basic necessities as they await the birth of their daughter.
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“Your generosity was more than support — it was hope… you lighten my load… because of you, even the hardest days carried a sense of light.”
