In the heart of Gaza, amidst the chaos of genocide, a group of extraordinary women are dedicated to one powerful mission. Educating the next generation. These women refuse to let the destruction of violence silence their students’ dreams, and they are living proof of resilience and hope. Today, we’re diving into the lives and stories of four incredible educators who are shaping the future of Gaza, one lesson at a time. It’s not every day that you get the chance to hear from such strong, inspiring female educators, especially when they’re doing the impossible in the face of hardship.

These teachers are not only shaping young minds; they’re showing what true resilience and passion look like. In addition, their stories are powerful, their courage is unmatched, and their commitment to their students is something we can all learn from. It was an absolute privilege to get a glimpse into their worlds, words full of hope, determination, and love for the children they teach, even when everything around them is crumbling.

  gaza great minds foundation
Palestinian poet from nablus

The Heart of Education in Gaza: A Teacher’s Story

Meet Islam, a kindergarten teacher at Gaza’s Great Minds Northern School. Islam’s life was forever altered when her house was targeted during an airstrike, leading to the tragic loss of her husband and injuries to her head and feet. Yet, despite the pain and loss, Islam found solace in teaching. “I dedicate myself to teaching children because I find joy in their smiles and the simple act of playing and learning with them,” she says.

For Islam, the most rewarding part of teaching is the love and attachment her students feel for her. Every morning, they eagerly await her arrival, creating a bond stronger than any lesson. However, it’s not just the students she’s concerned about, it’s the state of education in Gaza. “Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about providing safety, love, and emotional security,” she explains. And amidst a genocide that steals so much from children, Islam is determined to offer them something they cannot take away: hope.

Kindergarten and st grade teacher islam gaza's women teachers Gaza
Kindergarten and 1st grade teacher islam
gazas women teachers

Overcoming Trauma: A Journey Back to the Classroom

For Ghida Al-Madhoun, a mathematics teacher, the desire to teach stemmed from a love of the subject, but it also became a way to heal. Ghida, who lost her father during the conflict, struggled deeply with grief after his death. Yet, after discovering an educational centre, she found herself returning to her passion for teaching. “After four months of darkness, I found the light in the classroom again,” she shares.

Ghida’s most fulfilling moments come from seeing her students grow. “When I see my students rise in their studies, it feels like I’m watching them bloom into something beautiful,” she says. But teaching in Gaza is far from easy. From a lack of basic resources to the emotional scars left by ongoing violence, Ghida and her fellow teachers face obstacles daily. “But despite the destruction around us, we refuse to give up on these children,” she affirms.

A Safe Haven in the Classroom

Then there’s Israa Iyad Aql, a primary school teacher at the Without Borders Center. Israa is no stranger to the hardships of war. Before teaching, she worked at the Mutamazun Center and helped establish educational programs for young students. The challenges she faced, including the loss of her own family members and the devastation of her home, were immense. Yet, her love for teaching kept her grounded.

“In Gaza, education is a lifeline,” she explains. “It’s not just about learning; it’s about restoring a sense of normalcy and security.” Israa’s approach is unique, mixing education with emotional support. “I act as a mother to my students,” she says, hugging them, offering encouragement, and helping them heal from the trauma they’ve experienced.

Her dream? To see her students overcome the war’s psychological damage and achieve a future full of possibility. “I want them to see a future beyond the bombings and the fear,” Israa says with hope.

Teaching Amidst Destruction: Nada’s Struggle for Survival and Education

Finally, meet Nada, an English teacher and writer working in a makeshift classroom in Gaza. Nada’s journey to becoming a teacher was sparked by her passion for languages. Before the genocide, she was pursuing a master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy, but the conflict forced her to put her studies on hold. Now, Nada spends her days teaching in a small tent, helping children learn while documenting their struggles for foreign platforms.

Nada’s motivation is clear: “Education is the most powerful weapon we have against the destruction of war.” She sees teaching as a form of resistance, against the violence, the blockade, and the attempt to erase Gaza’s future. However, it’s not easy. “We don’t have enough resources, no electricity, and often no food,” she shares. Yet, she soldiers on, because she knows how important it is for her students to have a safe place to learn and heal.

  gaza great minds foundation our team of teachers from the northern tent without borders on the last day before relocating The picture was taken after surviving the brutal genocide Gaza great minds foundation
Our team of teachers from the northern tent

A Daily Battle

All of these women face incredible challenges, both physical and emotional. From malnutrition, weak immunity, and lack of basic supplies to the constant fear and trauma the war brings, the odds are stacked against them. But they continue. They teach, they care, they nurture, and above all, they protect the children they serve.

It’s not just the lack of resources that makes their jobs difficult, it’s the emotional toll of the war. They are not just teachers; they are also healers, counsellors, and sources of safety for their students. Each day, they balance their own fears with the needs of the children they care for. And while they face hunger and exhaustion, they draw strength from their students’ smiles, resilience, and potential.

Teachers, like Ms. Israa Iyad Aql, face significant physical challenges daily due to a lack of proper nutrition. “Of course, we as teachers suffer from malnutrition. You see it with weakness of the body sometimes, sudden dizziness, emaciation, and lack of desire to move at all,” she shares. With “a deficiency in all the vitamins that the body needs,” it is clear that hunger and deprivation are taking a toll.

The situation is made worse by the scarcity of basic resources. Clean drinking water is nearly impossible to find, and food is in short supply. As Ms. Nada explains, “In Gaza, we eat a piece of candy to help us get up, or a cup of coffee or a cup of unsweetened tea due to the lack of sugar.” This lack of nourishment affects not only the teachers but also the students, who too are struggling with hunger. Teachers, however, continue to push forward despite these challenges. “We draw our energy from the laughter of their beautiful faces,” says Ms. Ghida, highlighting the strength they derive from their students.

It’s evident that malnutrition is not just an issue of physical weakness but also affects the ability to teach effectively. Teachers are often left drained, yet they continue to show up, prioritising their students’ needs above their own. As Ms. Ghida puts it, “We are already malnourished, but for these children, we do everything we can for them.”

The Journey to School

In addition to malnutrition, teachers in Gaza face the daily challenge of reaching their schools safely. What was once a simple commute has now become a journey marked by fear and uncertainty. Ms. Islam shares, “Before, things were simple, transportation was safe, we had breakfast, and then we would go to work actively and safely. But now, we count the time with fear, distances, and our fear of the roads. Not sleeping enough throughout the night because of the sounds of bombing, we wake up early so that we can go on time.”

These teachers often have to navigate unsafe roads, sometimes destroyed by bombs or littered with debris. The morning routine, for many, no longer consists of simply getting ready but preparing for survival. “First, we wake up to the sounds of bombing when we pray Fajr, then we seek guidance from the Qur’an as a safety from fear,” says Ms. Israa, reflecting the emotional toll that war has taken on their daily lives.

“I start to fear a call that will shock me during my shift and my fear of being away from my children and husband and my fear for my family.” She talks about the difficulty of being away from family and the fear of potential harm during the commute to school. Despite the constant threat of danger, she continues her journey to educate the children.

Despite these overwhelming obstacles, these dedicated educators remain resolute. They continue to show up, determined to bring normalcy and hope to their students. Ms. Nada expresses it best, saying, “I wake up and prepare myself to work in a simple teaching tent. The journey to the tent is often filled with heartbreaking scenes, but once I arrive, I spend time talking with students and colleagues, listening to them, and trying to create a safe and hopeful environment despite everything.”

What Do These Teachers Hope For?

“I hope that my students will get a good psychology and that the war will end,” says Ms. Ghida. “That education in Gaza will return more vigorously than before.” These teachers are more than just educators; they are heroes ensuring that the childrens dreams and hopes for the future remain alive. Each of these women shares one dream: an end to the violence and the restoration of hope for Gaza’s children. They hope for a future where their students are free to dream and achieve, where education is no longer a luxury but a right. Most importantly, they dream of a day when their students can live without fear, building futures that go beyond the borders of Gaza.

In their own words:
Islam hopes that one day education in Gaza will thrive and that children will have the freedom to dream and achieve without fear.
Ghida wishes for an end to the suffering, so students can finally see their dreams become reality.
Israa dreams of a Gaza where education flourishes, free from the constraints of war.
Nada hopes that her students will one day grow up to be the voices of Gaza, shaping a future full of promise.

Our team of teachers from the northern tent without borders on the last day before relocating The picture was taken after surviving the brutal genocide Gaza great minds foundation
Surviving the genocide Gaza great minds foundation

A Heartfelt Thank You to Gaza’s Teachers

I want to express my deepest thanks to the incredible teachers of Gaza. Your strength, compassion, and unwavering dedication to your students, despite everything you face, are truly inspiring.

Thank you for showing up each day, not just as educators, but as the heart and soul of Gaza’s future. You provide more than lessons; you offer security, warmth, and hope in the darkest times. The children you teach are learning not only academics but resilience, love, and courage from you.

Your tireless efforts are shaping a brighter future for Gaza, and the world is watching, learning, and in awe of your strength.

Gaza great minds omens school tent south gaza
Teachers planting the seeds of tomorrow


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