Horizons Academy - From Rafah to the World: Karim’s Inspiring Journey

From Rafah to the World: Karim’s Inspiring Journey

In the heart of beautiful Gaza City, amidst the echoes of the war and the whispers of hope, a young soul dared to dream. My name is Karim. I’m a 16-year-old student, and I was born and raised in Rafah, at the southern part of the Gazan Strip.

Despite the challenges of living in a closed area and witnessing a number of wars, I chose to rise above. Driven by motivation and determination, I considered obstacles as opportunities to grow up, meet new people, learn constantly, and pursue excellence relentlessly.

Fueled by a deep passion for technology and an insatiable curiosity for new ideas, my dedication led me to actively participate in transformative initiatives like Youth Code Gaza '23. This initiative provided me with a platform to network with like-minded individuals and contribute meaningfully to projects aimed at uplifting our community.

Moreover, I was able to break through the blockade to reach the West Bank, the second part of my homeland. There, I received a fantastic opportunity to attend the STEM Hackathon for Programming and AI, which was held in the city of Jericho. I also visited the historic city of Jerusalem for the first time, which was an unforgettable experience. After working hard with my team, our dedication has paid off! and we secured second place in the state of Palestine and proudly raised the Hackathon Cup.

Inspired by my dream to become the best version of myself and attend the world's top universities and schools, even in the face of Gaza's challenges, I took a bold step by applying to Horizons Academy, where an inspiring environment is offered for talented young individuals like me to excel and grow both academically and personally. After navigating a series of challenging tasks and interviews, I was successfully accepted into Horizons Academy and finally received this golden ticket to a brighter future. But amidst my preparations for my first year at Horizons Academy, a huge wave of sadness decided to change my life.

On what seemed like a typical morning, I woke up on the 7th of October and began my day as usual: brushing my teeth, having breakfast, preparing for my school and I still remember studying for a technology exam. Then suddenly, BOOM… BOOM! Explosions reverberated all around us. For more than 30 minutes, we were immersed in a whirlwind of shock and confusion, unable to understand what was happening around us.

Just like every other Gazan family, we had endured several wars, but this one was different. With each passing day, the situation grew more horrifying. Life in Gaza took a harsh turn and hasn’t returned to normal yet.

Each day in Gaza became a monumental struggle filled with overwhelming sadness. Rafah overflowed with displaced people and tents. With over 1.5 million individuals crammed into an area of just 55 square kilometres, this scarcity turned life's essentials into rare commodities, making them difficult to obtain. We spent days and nights searching for food and water, enduring hours-long queues to fill a few bottles of potable water, and the shortage of cooking gas forced us to resort to harsh alternatives like wood and coal, worsening our already dire situation and leading to severe breathing issues. The constant exposure to smoke filled our lungs, causing numerous respiratory problems that deepened our sense of despair and sadness. Additionally, we had to use animals for transportation, adding another layer of difficulty to our daily lives.

As days went by, we tragically began losing everything in Gaza. My siblings and I lost our education and schools, which were turned into refugee camps. My parents lost their jobs as well. However, the hardest blow was the loss of our loved ones as we had to say a gut-wrenching goodbye to my aunt, my uncle, his wife, and their four children. The sheer brutality of the situation was incomprehensible, filling our hearts with unbearable grief and the idea of losing seven loved ones, people with whom we had shared every moment of our lives, was devastating and horrifying beyond words.

After enduring over 150 days of this nightmare, we faced the most agonizing decision: leaving Gaza behind. Having lost everything, and amid fears of an impending invasion of Rafah, recently overrun. We departed in search of peace and to salvage a future that appeared bleak in Gaza.

Upon reaching Egypt, I began the daunting task of organizing my scattered papers, striving to navigate through the unfamiliar ways. However, my belief in the opportunity to start again persisted. Fortune smiled upon me when I received the monthly newsletter from Horizons Academy. As I clicked on the link and delved into the countless success stories for Palestinian students, especially Gazans, with each narrative I read, I started feeling more inspired!

Without any hesitation, I decided to use my golden ticket and reach out to Horizons Academy. Immediately, they provided me with a wealth of knowledge and resources, enabling me to apply for the Nsouli scholarship by the Inspired Education Group. After much hard work and with the great help from Horizons, I successfully secured a place at the International School San Patricio in Toledo, Spain.

As I envision myself studying the International Baccalaureate at ISSPT, my determination to achieve my long-held dreams and become a successful, proud individual intensifies. Traveling to Spain represents an incredible opportunity to expand my horizons and grow as a strong person.

In the middle of these difficult times, I have encountered countless stories of Gazans embracing life despite tremendous adversity. I am passionate about sharing these powerful stories of resilience with the world, believing it is my mission to highlight our unwavering spirit. By doing so, I hope to inspire others to persevere, no matter the odds.

As I look toward my future, I see a light at the end of the road. Carrying with me the strength and resilience of Gaza, my experiences have taught me that no matter how dire the circumstances, hope and determination can lead to incredible opportunities.

To wrap up, I want to leave you with these thoughts: Think of hope as a spark in the darkest night; no matter how small, it can ignite an unstoppable fire. Always nurture that spark within you and let it guide your way, no matter how challenging the journey becomes. Remember, your story is powerful, and your perseverance can inspire others. Never stop dreaming, never stop striving, never lose hope, and always believe in yourself!