“Even After Losing My Dad, I Continued My Education”: Remas's Story from Gaza
As thousands of children across Gaza face the loss of parents, homes and access to education, 15-year-old Remas is determined to keep learning. With support from Action For Humanity, she and her family are navigating the lasting consequences of war.
At just 15 years old, Remas has already experienced more loss and upheaval than many people face in a lifetime.
Her father was killed during the war in Gaza, and her family has endured displacement and the destruction of their home. Today, they continue to navigate an uncertain future amid the widespread devastation.
"We went through very difficult days and displacement early in the war, and we're still going through it, although things have calmed down," she explains.
"But there are still difficult times and shelling around us, and we're just trying to live through it."
Remas's experience reflects a wider humanitarian crisis affecting children across Gaza. According to UNICEF, more than 56,000 children have lost one or both parents, leaving families facing immense emotional and financial challenges.
For children who have lost a parent, the consequences can extend far beyond bereavement. Without adequate support, families may struggle to afford basic necessities, while displacement, financial insecurity and disrupted education threaten children's wellbeing and future opportunities.
An Education Interrupted by War
Despite the challenges surrounding her, Remas remains determined to continue her education.
"Even after losing my dad, I continued my education because learning is essential and incredibly important in our lives."
Her determination comes at a time when Gaza's education system has suffered widespread destruction. UNICEF reports that 97.5% of schools across Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, while more than 658,000 children have experienced disrupted access to education.
For many children, classrooms have been replaced by temporary learning spaces, while others remain unable to access regular lessons. Years of interrupted schooling threaten to undermine educational development and future opportunities for an entire generation. But for Remas, learning remains a priority. Her commitment to education is a reminder that, even amid conflict and uncertainty, children in Gaza continue to look towards the future.
Supporting Children Who Have Lost a Parent
For families who have lost loved ones and livelihoods, financial assistance can provide vital support in meeting everyday needs. Through our Orphans and Child Welfare programme, Action For Humanity is delivering a project to support 500 children in Gaza through unrestricted cash assistance.
Running right through until Ramadan 2027, the project aims to help families meet essential needs while giving them greater flexibility to decide how best to use the support they receive. Unlike assistance restricted to specific goods or services, unrestricted cash allows households to prioritise their own circumstances, whether purchasing food, accessing essential supplies or meeting other urgent expenses.
For Remas and her family, financial support from Action For Humanity has provided welcome assistance during an incredibly difficult period.
"We really want to thank Action For Humanity for the financial support they provide us," she says. "They're truly helping us so much, and we're incredibly grateful to them."
Helping Children Build a Better Future
Across Gaza, tens of thousands of children are growing up without one or both parents, while widespread destruction continues to limit access to education, healthcare and other essential services. For these children, sustained humanitarian support is critical to protecting their wellbeing and helping families navigate the challenges ahead.
While financial assistance cannot undo the losses they have experienced, it can ease immediate pressures and help families make decisions about their own needs.
For Remas, the importance of education remains clear. Despite losing her father and experiencing displacement, she continues to pursue her studies. Her story is one of many across Gaza, where children are striving to learn, grow and build a future beyond the conflict.
Through continued support, Action For Humanity is helping children and families meet their needs with dignity, while protecting opportunities for the next generation.
Help us support children and families affected by the crisis in Gaza.
Share Article
