In central Gaza, inside a former café transformed into a learning space, 200 children are rediscovering something many feared had been lost: the joy of learning.
For nearly two years, schools in Gaza have been destroyed, damaged or turned into shelters for displaced families. The children attending this new project have not sat in a classroom since 2023. Many now live in tents. Most are displaced. Some have lost parents, siblings, friends and neighbours. Almost all carry the weight of what they have lived through.
And yet — inside this improvised educational and support centre — something remarkable is happening.
“War of course affected us all, but I saw all the children on the street trying to find food or do work — it’s not their responsibility. They have lost their childhood, and I wanted to bring hope back,” says Nadosh*, one of the team members at Kotof El-Khair, Plan International’s local partner behind the project.
The programme focuses on Learning through Play, engaging 200 children aged 8 to 11. The children attend on alternating days and are divided into small groups to allow for more individual support. The curriculum includes Arabic, English and mathematics, alongside daily psychosocial support delivered through storytelling, group work and play.
“I believe education is a way to escape — it is a way to hope,” Nadosh explains. “We simplified the curriculum because the children have been away from school for so long. There are big gaps. We need to rebuild their confidence step by step.”
When the children first arrived, the trauma was visible.
“At first some students were aggressive. Some were withdrawn. Some felt lonely and shy. Some had lost parents or siblings and were deeply sad,” Nadosh recalls.
But over time, something shifted.
There is a big difference between the first week and today. Children now proudly complete homework and rush to show their work. They stay after class to ask questions. They laugh again.
For many, this space feels like home.
“It’s a family project,” says Nadosh. “It’s not like a regular school. They feel safe here.”
“Some children who used to fight all the time are now leading group work. They’ve changed completely. They are engaged. They want to learn. They are excited to come to class. That is the real change.”
Winter in Gaza is approaching. While the learning centre has been prepared to feel warm and safe, the children’s home lives remain precarious.
“In the camps, it will be very difficult,” says Mo*, the project coordinator. “Some children don’t have winter clothes. Some are wearing layers of summer clothes just to stay warm.”
Food is scarce. For many children, the meal they receive during classes — falafel, fruit, vegetables, sometimes a small dessert — is the most reliable food they get.
“It is something huge for them,” Mo says. “You see it in their smiles.”
This project is not only about education. It is about restoring dignity, stability and human connection.
“For children, it’s their whole world,” says Nadosh. “It’s a light of hope.”
The programme currently supports 200 children. But when registration opened, nearly 500 tried to enrol.
Turning children away has been one of the hardest parts.
“We would love to expand — to Gaza City, to the north, to the south — everywhere,” Mo explains. “The demand is there. We just don’t have the space or the resources.”
Despite everything they have lived through, the team continues.
“We have seen things no human should go through,” Nadosh says. “But even after all of this, we still want to live.”
Mo adds: “Gaza’s children deserve to live. They deserve dignity. They deserve peace. Without support from people around the world, we could not bring this hope to them.”
Right now, thousands of children in Gaza remain without safe spaces to learn, heal and simply be children.
Your donation can help provide:
Safe learning spaces
Psychosocial support
Nutritious meals
Winter essentials
Protection and dignity for girls and boys
Children in Gaza cannot wait.
Your generosity saves lives. Your support changes futures.
From working to end child marriage to keeping kids in school during crises, together we can make a difference where it’s needed most.
