Story
In April this year, IATEFL, the largest English language teaching conference in Europe, will take place in Brighton, UK.
Thousands of teachers from around the world will gather to share ideas, develop professionally and network.
This year, four young Palestinian teachers from Gaza will be among the presenters, representing The Hands Up Project.
• All four have had their proposals accepted and are excited to present on a global stage.
• This is their chance to represent Palestinian teachers and learners at an international conference.
• For all of them, it is the opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to speak, not be spoken about, and build lasting relationships.
We need your help 🙏
Attending IATEFL comes with costs – travel, visas, accommodation, conference fees – and for teachers displaced by war, these costs are impossible to meet alone.
That is why we are asking for your support.
By supporting this crowdfunding campaign, you are not only helping four teachers reach Brighton.
You are helping Palestinian voices be heard.
I keep posting in the wrong group! Here is the new itemised goal foe the crowdfunder. How does this look?
• Visa: €610
• Flights: €2600
• Daily living costs: €740
• Travel inside the UK: €250
TOTAL: €4200
Our speakers
My name is Safaa Ahmed, an English teacher from Gaza currently based in Egypt, and a volunteer coordinator with The Hands Up Project. I will be presenting "Letters and Link-ups: Bringing Young Palestinian and Global Voices Together." I am incredibly excited by the chance to share our students' powerful work and voices on this fantastic global platform. As a teacher, I have always dreamed of attending IATEFL to connect with educators worldwide, share expertise, and gain new perspectives. This will be my first time presenting at the conference and visiting the UK, so I am absolutely thrilled!
Hello, my name is Sulaiman Ewaida, an internship doctor from Gaza currently based in Egypt, and I work as director and coordinator for The Hands Up Project in Cairo. I manage the educational project, support teachers and students, host volunteers, and run first aid courses for children. At IATEFL Brighton, I will be presenting "From Gaza to Cairo: Building a School in the Time of Conflict," where I'll explore team teaching between Palestinian teachers and volunteers, the blending of curricula, and how building a remote theatre in Cairo has helped transform students' language learning. See you in Brighton on 21st April!
Hi, my name is Haya Orouq. I am a Business Administration student from Gaza, Palestine, currently living in Cairo. I work with The Hands Up Project as an Administrative Assistant and Social Media Manager, supporting creative and educational initiatives for young people affected by conflict. At IATEFL Brighton, I will be presenting “Finding My Voice in English: A Learner’s HandsUp Project Journey,” where I share my personal story of how learning English through creativity, connection, and support transformed my confidence and sense of voice. I am incredibly excited to be coming to Brighton—to meet inspiring educators from around the world, exchange ideas, and be part of a global community that truly believes in the power of education to change lives.
My name is Sahar Salha, and I serve as the Hands Up Coordinator in Gaza. I was honored to be invited to present at IATEFL this month, where my talk is titled “Teaching English Creatively to War-Affected Children in Gaza.” In my presentation, I share our experience with drama clubs and how they support children who have experienced trauma, helping them express themselves and heal through creative learning. Sadly, due to the current circumstances on the ground, I am unable to travel to Brighton and attend in person. However, I am grateful that my colleague Ashraf will be there to present on my behalf and carry our message forward.