Rahaf from Gaza

I am Rahaf from Gaza. When asked about my home, I have no clear answer. My life in Gaza was filled with love, laughter, family, and friends. I remember the days when the whole family would come together, the days I would spend with my cousins on the seashore. We would talk about our dreams and imagine the world outside the only place we’ve ever known: Gaza. I dreamt about exploring the world, curious to know what was outside, as Gaza was the only reality I had ever known. I was a refugee in Gaza as my family fled Lod earlier in 1948, making Gaza the only home I’d ever known.

I developed a deep interest in geology, regardless of the fact that people in my society are often discouraged from following such career paths. I am reflecting now if that’s because in Gaza, we spend most of our lives taking care of our basic needs. We do dream. We always had big dreams, but our reality required us to focus on life day by day. I kept my curiosity about the study of the Earth nonetheless. I knew that it’s only through education that I can get out of Gaza and see what’s out there. And I did it! I got a scholarship to study my undergraduate degree in Lebanon. I was still not ready to go back. There was still more to life, to explore, to know, to discover outside the only place I’ve ever known. So I did it one more time, and I got a scholarship to pursue my master’s in higher education in Paleontology in Europe.

With the events unfolding in Gaza, our lives have changed. I lost contact with my family.

They say people are trapped in Gaza, but I am not sure if I am the one trapped without my family, my home.

Deep down, I know I’ll go back home. We will build our home together; we will laugh again. We will breathe life again together. That’s my home.