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A story of one of mothers I met (Palestine)
an article by Ayman Qwaider
In the Gaza Strip, a tiny piece of land, there is
a drastic blockade imposed since 2007. This
blockade has a negative impact on the education
sector in Gaza in many different way. For
instance, the closure of the borders has prevented
construction materials from entering Gaza and this
prevents the education agencies from building new
schools to accommodate the growing number of
students. Beside that, Gaza has witnessed dramatic
wars in 2009 and 2012 which caused both physical
and psychological damage to education
infrastructure. In the 2009 war on Gaza, over
180 schools in Gaza were either totally or
partially damaged, not to mention the massive lost
of teachers and students.
Ayman and Khadra
click on photo to enlarge
Recently, a school bag distribution project has
been implemented across the Gaza strip districts
and refugee camps. About 300 young children have
benefited from the project. Bait Hanoun
neighborhood, marginalized area, has been targeted
by the project where 100 children received school
bags.
I participated in this distribution project and here
is the story of one of mothers I met.
Khadra is a sole breadwinner of a family of 8
members. All of her dependents are either
university or school students. “I have dedicated
my whole life to secure better future for my
children. I believe Education is the only glimpse
of hope we Palestinian mothers are left with in
order to provide for our kids. Education is
important due to the prolonged occupation as our
economic, industrial, and agricultural systems
have been destroyed leaving education as our best
investment. I took three transportations to arrive
to the distribution center and receive the school
bags for my kids. I have two children in the
primary level and will dedicate my effort, time
and energy to let them pursue higher education.”
Education can always play profound role for
communities affected by armed conflict. It
constitutes a window of hope to construct a better
tomorrow. Since I have returned to Gaza, I have
worked in different education projects in which it
has positive impact to help children afford the
hard circumstances under prolonged occupation,
policy of isolation – Israeli blockade- and
internal political conflict. Needless to say,
Palestinians are left up with no alternative to
survive except investing in education. The Israeli
occupation has destroyed the economic and
agriculture systems in West Bank and Gaza.
Nevertheless, despite the different israeli policy
to deprive palestinian children education like
blockade over borders of Gaza, hundreds of
checkpoints in the West Bank, Palestinians have
demonstrated a full capacity to continue education
because they believe it is only sort of hope and
empowerment.
For photos of the event, click here.
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) related to this article:
What is the relation between peace and education?,
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Latest reader comment:
Letter from Mohatma Gandhi to Maria Montessori.
To Madame Montessori
Even as you, out of your love for children, are endeavoring to teach children, through your numerous institution, the best that can be brought out of them, even so, I hope that it will be possible not only for the children of the wealthy and the well-to-do, but for the children of paupers to receive training of this nature. You have very truly remarked that if we are to reach real peace in this world and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with children and if they will grow up in their natural innocence, we won't have the struggle, we won't have to pass fruitless idle resolutions, but we shall go from love to love and peace to peace, until at last all the corners of the world are covered with that peace and love for which, consciously or unconsciously, the whole world is hungering.
Mohatma Gandhi, Young India, 19-11-''31
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