Dec, 2024
In the midst of war, classrooms are a refuge for teachers and the children who refuse to give up on their futures
In the corner of a classroom in southern Gaza, Lama flips through a pile of tattered worksheets. Her students sit quietly, their eyes betraying the weight of sleepless nights haunted by the sounds of explosions. For Lama, a teacher displaced by war, this classroom is a lifeline — for her, and for the children who refuse to give up on their futures.
“Every morning, I wake up wondering if my students will make it to class,” she says, her voice steady but tinged with pain. “We’ve lost so much, but this space gives us a purpose. It’s a reminder that even in chaos, we can still learn, still dream.”
Lama, like many of her colleagues, has been thrust into a new reality. Once a teacher in a well-equipped school, she now educates children in a makeshift learning space established by Anera. These temporary classrooms are more than just spaces for education, they are sanctuaries of stability and hope, created to ensure that Gaza’s children continue learning despite the destruction around them.
For Lama, this year’s Teacher’s Day, observed on December 14th in Palestine, feels bittersweet—a celebration of resilience amid immeasurable loss.
“We’ve lost so much, but this space gives us a purpose."
Anera’s Lifeline of Learning
Anera’s swift response during the war has been pivotal in preserving education for thousands of children in Gaza. The organization has set up temporary learning spaces in the heart of the devastation, providing essential resources such as school supplies and psychological support for both students and teachers.
Lama’s classroom is simple: a few desks, a chalkboard, and a box of donated books. But to the children, it’s a special place. Most have been displaced multiple times, their homes reduced to rubble. For many, the temporary learning spaces are the only semblance of normalcy they have left.
“These kids have seen and endured so much,”Lama says. “Some come here barefoot, others without lunch. But they come because they know this is where their dreams still have a chance.”
Samed, a six-year-old boy with wide, searching eyes, says he wants to become an engineer. “I want to rebuild Gaza,” he says.
“Some come here barefoot, others without lunch. But they come because they know this is where their dreams still have a chance.”
“I want to rebuild Gaza.” — Samed, six
Healing Through Learning
The trauma is palpable in every corner of the classroom. Some children struggle to focus, their minds consumed by memories of explosions or the family members they’ve lost. Lama and her fellow teachers have adapted, integrating art and storytelling into their lessons to help the children process their emotions.
“I want to be a doctor so I can treat my grandpa,” says Amal, a bright-eyed girl of seven, who lost her home in an Israeli airstrike.
Anera’s support extends beyond physical spaces. They provide training for teachers to address the emotional needs of traumatized children, ensuring that educators like Lama have the tools to heal as they teach.
A Vision for Tomorrow
Lama knows that the challenges are far from over. The war continues, and the future remains uncertain. But she also knows that education is the key to survival—for her students, and for herself.
“This isn’t the way I thought I’d spend my career,” she reflects. “But it’s where I’m needed most. On Teacher’s Day, I celebrate the fact that, despite everything, we’re still here. We’re still teaching, still learning, still dreaming.”
Thanks to Anera’s dedication, Gaza’s children are not just surviving—they are building resilience, fostering dreams, and holding onto hope for a brighter future. These temporary learning spaces are more than classrooms, they are beacons of light in a time of overwhelming darkness, proving that even amidst devastation, the power of education endures.
“I want to be a doctor so I can treat my grandpa.” — Amal, seven
