Gaza has seven large refugee camps whose residents make up 70% of Gaza's total population. Residents of the camps depend on the services provided by UNRWA (United Nationals Relief and Works Agency). Reem Kullab lives in the al-Shati (Beach) Camp on the edge of Gaza City.
Fishing is one of the most dangerous and low-income professions in Gaza, even more so as a result of the restrictions imposed as a result of the blockade.
Despite these challenges, Reem challenged traditional gender norms to work with her fisherman father so that she could pay her school fees and pursue her studies.
Reem graduated from university, but despite here good grades and qualifications she could not find a job. Instead she volunteers for several organizations as is common for many graduates who can't find work as a result of the high unemployment rate.
Reem graduated with a degree in physiotherapy and one of the places she volunteered was in the intensive care unit of the Central Hospital in Gaza. The start of her training at the hospital coincided with the outbreak of the CORONA pandemic. Her family has been anxious about her work because of the lack of protective equipment available in Gaza as a result of the blockade.
The blockade has prevented Palestinians in Gaza from traveling, but that hasn’t stopped them from dreaming. Reem stills hopes to travel abroad to see the world and to continue her studies in Italy, and she believes that one day this will be possible.
The blockade has prevented Palestinians in Gaza from traveling, but that hasn’t stopped them from dreaming. Reem stills hopes to travel abroad to see the world and to continue her studies in Italy, and she believes that one day this will be possible.
