Arabic version: طالبة في غزة تواجه الامتحانات بينما تعيش في خيمة

Eighteen-year-old Dana Shabat is preparing for her high school graduation exams in a tent in Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip. Despite achieving an impressive average grade of 99 percent, the circumstances surrounding her education have been anything but typical. With many schools destroyed or repurposed as shelters, Dana has been forced to continue her studies remotely.

According to Al Jazeera, Dana’s exams are critical for her future aspirations, which include securing a scholarship abroad to escape the hardships she has faced in Gaza. Living in a tent with her family, she navigates the challenges of studying for the tawjihi exams, which are being conducted online due to the ongoing destruction in the region.

Dana’s father, Muhanna, has made significant sacrifices to support her education, investing in private tutoring despite their dire living conditions. The family has endured immense loss, including the death of Dana’s mother, Lina, during an Israeli strike in May last year. Muhanna reflects on their past life, filled with stability and comfort, which has now been replaced by uncertainty and hardship.

As Dana prepares for her exams, she must walk to a nearby cafe with reliable internet access, where she joins other students facing similar challenges. The exams represent not only an academic milestone but also a beacon of hope for a better future. Despite the ongoing conflict and the devastation surrounding her, Dana remains determined to succeed and fulfill her mother’s dreams for her. She aspires to become a community leader and make a meaningful impact, hoping for a time when her family’s suffering will finally come to an end.