Key facts
- Hammoda Abu-Odah, a nurse from Gaza, has been awarded a Spirit of Hong Kong Award.
- Abu-Odah faced six unsuccessful attempts to leave Gaza due to border closures and travel restrictions.
- He successfully relocated to Hong Kong on his seventh attempt.
- Abu-Odah has become a nursing professor in Hong Kong.
- The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards recognize individuals for their contributions and resilience.
Hammoda Abu-Odah, a nurse originally from Gaza, has been honored with a Spirit of Hong Kong Award for his remarkable journey to becoming a nursing professor in Hong Kong. His path was fraught with significant challenges, including repeated failures to leave his home country due to border closures and travel restrictions.
Abu-Odah had earned a nursing degree in Gaza and aspired to an academic career abroad. He continued to work, teach, and conduct research despite the numerous obstacles that hindered his ability to travel. After six unsuccessful attempts to leave Gaza, he finally succeeded on his seventh try and made his way to Hong Kong.