Helping displaced children in Gaza continue to learn despite hardship

“When I feel sad or think about my Mom, I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine the sea. The sea is my safe place.” – Tala, 11 years old 

In Gaza’s Deir al Balah governorate, 11-year-old Tala* is one of many children whose education has been disrupted by conflict and displacement. She and her family were forced to flee from Jabalya in North Gaza when hostilities intensified. 

After an airstrike destroyed their home, Tala was injured and underwent two surgical operations. In the same attack, she lost her mother, brother, and sister, while her father was critically injured and later transferred outside Gaza to receive medical treatment that was not available locally. 

Tala is still in need of further medical care that cannot currently be provided due to the severe strain on Gaza’s health system. She now lives in Nuseirat with her elderly grandfather and older sister, after repeated displacement and long periods without stable access to food, shelter, or basic services. During a time of widespread food shortages, her grandfather struggled to provide sufficient care and secure enough food for the family, adding to the emotional and physical hardship she faced. 

In July 2025, Tala began attending a safe learning space in west Nuseirat, run by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and its partner, Culture and Free Thought Association (CFTA) and supported by the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund (OT HF). The learning space provides displaced children with  education opportunities, structured activities. and a safer environment to learn and play. 

“I remember my first day there. It was a recreational day, and it was one of the happiest days of my life,” Tala said. “I laughed, sang, and felt like a child again.” 

Since joining the learning space, Tala has attended classes regularly, including Arabic, mathematics, science and English. She says the encouragement of her teachers and the routine of learning have helped her regain confidence. “I come happy, and I go home happy, because my teachers love me,” she explained. 

As part of the programme, Tala also participates in activities that support children’s emotional well-being. “When I feel sad or think about my Mom, I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine the sea,” she said. “The sea is my safe place.” 

Tala was also provided with learning materials, including a school bag and stationery, which she says helped her feel motivated to continue her studies. “Now, I draw all the time. I draw my feelings,” she shared. 

Tala is one of many displaced children supported through NRC’s OPT HF-funded education activities in Gaza, which aim to help children continue learning in a safe and supportive environment despite the conflict and displacement. For children like Tala, access to education offers structure, protection and a sense of normalcy. 

* Name changed to protect privacy.