Haneen Abukwaik, a scholar of EAA Foundation
Doha, Qatar: In times of war, access to education becomes a distant dream for many. While higher education often receives even less priority during crises, it is essential to sustain it to prevent an educational gap that could affect an entire generation. Ensuring continued access to learning is not just a necessity but a global responsibility. Organisations and institutions around the world must work together to support this critical cause.
The Education Above All Foundation, a global foundation for education and development, has been at the forefront of these efforts, delivering quality education to more than 22 million beneficiaries around the world. The foundation works in more than 60 countries through a robust network of more than 100 partners, making education an everyday reality for marginalised communities. To date, the foundation has provided more than 10,000 higher education scholarships to deserving students.
Haneen Abukwaik, a scholar of Education Above All Foundation, is one example of how the organisation has been attuned to the needs of those enduring war. Along with her clothes and basic life necessities, 20-year-old Haneen Saleh Abukwaik packed her burden of grief when she left Gaza in February 2024 and relocated to Qatar to face an unknown future.
She made the choice to flee with her family and friends to pursue safety and education overseas while the war continued in Gaza. Currently enrolled in the College of Health Sciences in the Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy degree program in Qatar, this passionate youth is committed to transforming her struggles into a tale of achievement and service.
From destruction to dreams
Leaving Gaza was not merely a move, it was an escape from destruction. She remembers that, “Bombing was everywhere, even in places that were supposed to be safe. Nowhere in Gaza was truly safe.”
The war had a profound effect on her family. “Our family is small, and a lot of my relatives lost their houses, jobs, and educational opportunities. I lost close friends and family members on both my mother's and father's sides,” she lamented. Three of the family members have moved to Qatar with her, while she strives to rebuild her life despite the losses.
Before the war, Haneen’s days in Gaza were centred on studies, personal growth, and treasured time spent with family. “My daily routine included going to university, hanging out with family and friends on the weekends, and working on self-improvement through workshops and career development programs,” she remembered.
Abukwaik’s studies were interrupted, and her future was called into question, when her university was destroyed. “One of the biggest challenges was losing my academic years,” the 20-year-old recalls. “My only hope for the future was education, and I felt lost when it was taken away.”
The welcoming reception Abukwaik received upon her arrival in Qatar made the adjustment easier. “It felt like home right away,” the respiratory therapist says. She was determined to move on after losing three years of school because of the relocation and the war, “I kept telling myself that God has a better plan; I had to keep working hard, and everything will fall into place.”
She was able to enrol in the University of Doha for Science and Technology after obtaining a scholarship through Education Above All Foundation’s Al Fakhoora program. The Qatar Scholarship Program has changed the aspiring respiratory therapist’s life in the most profound way. She says, “It allowed me to continue my education and get closer to my goal of becoming someone who supports the healthcare system and aids others.”
Her access to the best colleges and chances for practical training through workshops, seminars, and networking events have all been made possible by the scholarship. “The whole experience is not just about education; it is more about developing skills that will help me in my career and beyond,” she explained.
Responsibility and resilience
“I prioritise my time and maintain organisation; I support my family by communicating with them frequently and helping out whenever I can, all the while concentrating on my education,” she shared.
Faith and the determination of the Palestinian people serve as Haneen’s main source of inspiration. “The strength of my people reminds me that no matter what we go through, we must keep fighting for a better future,” she said, adding that faith keeps her optimistic.
Abukwaik’s long and short-term goals are planned to keep her focused and committed to education. Her goals include finishing her degree, helping at medical facilities, and attending workshops to improve her abilities. In contrast, her long-term goals include earning advanced certifications, becoming a senior therapist, coaching recent grads, and community initiatives to promote respiratory health. “I want to use my knowledge to help others and have a real impact, not just in my career,” she says.
Even when she is far away, her heart is still in Gaza. “I sincerely hope for justice and peace, for my loved ones to live without fear or pain,” Abukwaik says, adding that, “I want us to rebuild, take back what belongs to us, and live honourably.”
Abukwaik has a strong sense of nostalgia for the Gaza she grew up in. “Gaza was a place of love, warmth, and unity before the conflict. I miss the little things like family get-togethers, the sky, the sea, and college life. I still cherish such recollections,” she reminisces, adding that eventually, the idea is to work for restoring a free and prosperous Palestine. “No matter where I am, I carry Gaza with me, and I will always stand for my people.”
The Eid Gift that keeps on giving
This Ramadan, the EAA Foundation is launching the ‘Eid Gift’ campaign from March 5 to 20, in collaboration with Qatar Red Crescent Society. The campaign aims to collect new clothing, school bags and water bottles for people of all ages, which will be distributed to those in need in Gaza and Syria.
By donating to the Education Above All Foundation, youth are supported worldwide, enabling them to pursue education and build a brighter future.
