The Courage to Persevere: Sisters Displaced in Gaza Teach Others How to Code

By Audra Darbyshire & Jenna Boles

In life, if we’re fortunate, we have the opportunity to meet and learn from people who prove the strength of the human spirit beyond what we thought might be possible, and beyond what we think we might be able to endure. This year, I have been humbled by two sisters, Lama and Yara, who submitted their Technovation project from a tent in Gaza, Palestine. Their family—5 girls, 1 boy, and their parents— were forced from their home by the growing escalation in the region.

Their project, Nabheni, is an AI integrated app for hearing-impaired users that identifies and alerts them to sounds in their environment. Their plans to program a wearable bracelet were cut short when they were forced from their home and displaced to various shelter sites, ranging from makeshift tents alongside streets to buildings so badly damaged they have become open-air cubicles. Finding an internet signal requires a 3-5 km walk, and resources including food and water are difficult to find. Sometimes, bombings are frighteningly close.

Despite their displacement, Lama and Yara managed to find a way to submit their project. Even more amazingly, they they also found the strength to launch an educational initiative, “Code for Future”, to teach children and their peers how to code animations that can help tell their stories. This work is important— as of May 6, more than 85% of Gaza’s schools had been severely damaged or destroyed, and those that remain have become shelters, leaving Gaza’s students and children extremely limited access to education. To continue their initiative, Lama and Yara are hoping to find support accessing supplies including paper, internet, pens, and snacks to help motivate their students. Small, simple things that most of us are fortunate enough to take for granted.

Lama and Yara’s extraordinary resilience and courage are difficult to truly understand. Despite the immense hardships they face, they have not only managed to develop an innovative AI app for hearing-impaired users but have also initiated a program to teach coding to other children and peers. Their story is a reminder of the potential that lies within each of us, even in the most challenging circumstances, and highlights the importance of providing support and opportunities to those who strive to make a positive impact against all odds. To support Lama and Yara, funds can be sent via their GoFundMe page. Their family hopes to raise enough money to find safety outside of Gaza.

Audra Darbyshire is Creative Manager at Technovation, where she works to share stories and accomplishments from the global community of Technovation alumnae, volunteers, and supporters.

Jenna Boles is the Content Strategist at Technovation where she uses social media and digital storytelling to connect with the network of incredible Technovation alumnae, volunteers and partners.