PalCast: Abeer Barakat on Student Inspiration
- Abeer Barakat, a lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences in Gaza, recently shared her deeply personal account of life amid ongoing conflict.
- Barakat recounted the tough decision to send two of her children to Egypt for their safety and education, while she remained in Gaza to continue teaching.
- The lecturer's stories of her students were particularly poignant.She spoke of young Palestinians attending classes from refugee camps and damaged homes, holding onto their aspirations despite facing hunger,...
abeer Barakat, a Gaza lecturer, powerfully shares her experiences of resilience, hope, and the crucial role of education amid the ongoing conflict in a recent PalCast episode. Barakat details her personal struggles, including the difficult choice to send her children away for safety while she remains to teach, illustrating the dire conditions and the relentless destruction. She emphasizes the unwavering strength of her students who, despite facing immense hardship, attend classes from refugee camps, underscoring their persistent quest for knowledge. Witness Barakat’s tribute to education as a form of resistance and her condemnation of the targeting of civilians. News Directory 3 is proud to share this story. Discover what’s next in advocating for justice and humanitarian aid inspired by her story.
Gaza Lecturer Shares Stories of Resilience and Hope Amid Devastation
Updated May 30, 2025
Abeer Barakat, a lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences in Gaza, recently shared her deeply personal account of life amid ongoing conflict. Speaking on PalCast, Barakat described the emotional and physical challenges of surviving over 550 days of war. She also highlighted the strength she draws from her students and her commitment to education in Palestine.
Barakat recounted the tough decision to send two of her children to Egypt for their safety and education, while she remained in Gaza to continue teaching. She painted a stark picture of the destruction in areas like Shejaiya, where relentless bombardment has devastated homes and families. Despite these hardships, Barakat finds purpose in her academic work, using research and her voice to connect with the world.
The lecturer’s stories of her students were particularly poignant.She spoke of young Palestinians attending classes from refugee camps and damaged homes, holding onto their aspirations despite facing hunger, fear, and instability. Barakat emphasized that their resilience is a source of inspiration for her. She also paid tribute to her late friend,Dr. Refaat Alareer,recalling their shared belief in education as a form of resistance.
Barakat condemned the targeting of civilians and essential services, calling starvation and displacement crimes against the Palestinian peopel. Despite the darkness, she expressed hope in her students, in education, and in the unwavering spirit of the people of Gaza.
Their strength, she said, kept her going.
What’s next
Barakat’s story serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by those living in Gaza and the importance of education and resilience in the face of adversity. Her experiences continue to inspire advocacy for justice and humanitarian aid.