In the heart of Gaza City, amid the echoes of conflict, a group of music teachers is defying adversity by holding lessons in makeshift tents. Armed with guitars, drums and unwavering determination, these educators are nurturing more than musical skills – they’re cultivating hope.
“We are coming back! Oh Love,” the iconic Fairouz song, resonates through a canvas shelter near Gaza City’s damaged streets. A class filmed in Khan Younis last September by CGTN captured the raw emotion of Gazan children singing as bombs fell miles away.
Nearly a year on, weekly music lessons continue in Gaza City, now reaching dozens of children aged 7 to 14. Teachers report that even students who have suffered severe injuries – like 10-year-old Layla, who lost her right hand – are mastering chords and rhythms, channeling trauma into creativity.
Beyond learning scales, students are building resilience. A recent survey by a local NGO found that 85% of participants felt calmer and more hopeful after sessions. For many families, these classes are a rare refuge: a chance to laugh, learn and dream amid uncertainty.
“Music gives them a voice,” says teacher Ahmad, who leads drum circles for teens. “When words fail, a melody can heal.” As Gaza endures, these tented classrooms stand as symbols of culture’s power to unite and uplift, proving that even amid conflict, human spirit finds ways to sing.
Reference(s):
Music lessons in tents help Gaza's children cope with conflict
cgtn.com
