Persistence Pays Off
Asma Masoud, 22, lives in the Jabalia refugee camp in the north of the Gaza Strip and studies Computer Systems Engineering at Al Azhar University in Gaza with a remarkable academic record. Since Al Fakhoora’s Dynamic Future’s inception, Asma has always shown strong leadership characteristics by proposing ideas for local advocacy work and motivating Al Fakhoora students to get involved and participate.
Asma was among the first students to participate in olive tree planting for Land Day, and was also among the first participants for the Palm Tree project in which 200 palm trees were planted along the coastal road in Gaza city in remembrance of the children who lost their lives in the 2008 - 2009 attacks.
An emerging student leader, Asma was one of the top candidates to be an Al Fakhoora Technical Assistant in the first round, yet she did not make it. Happily, as of September 2013, Asma made it through to be an Al Fakhoora Technical Assistant, showing a high ability to move the advocacy program forward.
Asma says “Currently I am working with other Technical Assistants to plan activities for the first quarter of 2014. The Right to Education will be at the center of our upcoming campaigns.” Asma added “I was among the students chosen to attend the World Innovative Summit on Education (WISE) that was held in Doha last October, but I could not make it because of the blockade and closure of the Rafah crossing. We Palestinians must have safe access out of Gaza, I have never been out, as a student I was dreaming to participate in this summit, you cannot imagine how disappointed I was. I felt like a dream was dying. But still, me and the other students in Gaza will raise our voices; we will call for our rights.”
In the same context, Asma mentioned that the “Situation in Gaza is very depressing and tough, even studying within this environment is challenging. We keep planning for activities, but also we think about however to encourage students to be optimistic, and have a dream for the future. I suggested we call other students in Gaza to join as friends of Fakhoora to support us in our campaigns.”
Asma added “I have a great energy for advocacy. We Advocate for Palestine and for our rights. These activities are a mix between community service, volunteer work and youth activism, areas that I like so much, where my personality can be enhanced and grow.” Asma concluded “In fact, being from Jabalia refugee camp and living very close to the original Al Fakhoora school, the site that witnessed the massacre against children and students in the 2008 - 2009 attacks, always inspires me to do more.”
