By Safaa El-Derawi, MECA Water Engineer and Gaza Project Coordinator

Background: Palestinians in Gaza have suffered under an Israeli blockade since 2006. There are only two border crossings for people, both of which are heavily restricted: the crossing north of Gaza, managed by Israeli authorities; and the southern crossing, which Egyptian authorities have kept under near-constant closure. New Israeli regulations allow Gaza residents to through the West Bank to Jordan but they are forbidden from stopping in the West Bank; they must get a permit from Jordan; and they must stay abroad for one year before they can return to Gaza.

“Gaza: The world’s largest outdoor prison.” We always hear these words, but no one knows how painful it is until they try to get out. Many patients die while waiting to travel for medical treatment. The dreams of students crash on the crossing gate. Families wait and wait for the moment they can hug again.

During my undergraduate years, I studied very hard and I took additional classes in English so that I would be qualified for an advanced degree. I did everything I could to get a scholarship and achieve my ambition of getting a Master’s Degree abroad, despite all the warnings that traveling outside Gaza was impossible. I applied for a scholarship to earn a degree in water management in Australia. I met all the requirements. It was so difficult to wait so long just to know if I was on the “short list.” I whispered to myself all the time: “I am very close to my dream.”

I made it to the short list and I was supposed to have an interview in Ramallah (West Bank) like the other Palestinian students. But, of course, Israel won’t allow someone who lives in Gaza to enter the West Bank. I had my interview over the phone, all the time worrying if the connection would fail. And then I waited some more.

I cannot describe my feelings at the moment I received the news that I got the scholarship to study in Australia. But, again, people told me that I should expect the worst. They reminded me that almost no one is getting out either through the Egyptian side or the Israeli side. Once I started to apply for the permits I needed to travel, I began to feel hopeless.

Five months ago, I registered to leave through Egypt. My number was 12531 and the total number of people who are even allowed to register is 30,000. Since then, the Egyptians opened the boarder only two times. Now, my plan is to go to Jordan and fly from there to Australia, hopefully in time to begin the program. But, first, I must get a special permit from Jordan as a condition to travel through the Israeli crossing. I have tried three times and I have gotten rejected three times.

I will never give up on my dreams, but, it seems, there are so many gaps between my dreams and my reality.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: MECA just received the news that Safaa was able to leave Gaza and has arrived in Jordan. She will travel from there to Australia in time to begin her Master’s program.