About Us
MESBAH (Mentoring Student Teachers for Gaza) is an emergency initiative led by Palestinian and
American academics in coordination with Academic Solidarity with Palestine (ASWP).
More than just a program, MESBAH—Arabic for lantern (مِصْبَاح), symbolizing light and hope in the
darkness of crisis—is designed to address the acute shortage of qualified teachers in Gaza and equip a new generation of
educators to support children’s learning and well-being during humanitarian crises.
Project Overview
MESBAH addresses the urgent need for education and psychosocial support for displaced
children in Gaza. The initiative empowers 50 pre-service teachers to deliver learner-centered
education and trauma-sensitive teaching to an estimated 600-800 children in temporary learning
spaces.
By equipping student teachers with trauma-informed teaching strategies, including psychosocial
support (PSS) and social-emotional learning (SEL), MESBAH ensures both the well-being of
displaced children and the completion of the pre-service teachers' practicum requirements
towards their BA in Education degrees.
This dual-impact initiative mitigates the effects of trauma among children while addressing the
critical shortage of qualified teachers in Gaza.
Why MESBAH Matters
The escalation of conflict in Gaza has resulted in an unprecedented education crisis:
- 625,000 students are deprived of formal education due to school closures.
- The destruction of schools and learning spaces leaves children vulnerable to exploitation, child labor, and severe psychological distress.
- Makeshift "tent schools" have emerged, staffed by pre-service teachers but lacking structured mentorship, training, and essential resources.
Key Objectives
- Facilitate Practicum Completion: Provide structured mentorship to help 50 pre-service teachers complete their practicum, graduate, and join the teaching workforce.
- Prepare Teachers for Trauma-Sensitive Education: Train pre-service teachers in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Psychosocial Support (PSS) to stabilize classroom environments.
- Enhance Children's Well-Being: Integrate SEL and PSS into daily school routines, fostering resilience and emotional stability among displaced children.
- Engage Regional Mentorship Support: Build a mentorship network by leveraging faculty expertise from Gaza and the West Bank.
- Establish a Scalable Model: Collect data to refine and expand the mentorship model across Gaza and publish findings in a peer-reviewed journal specializing in emergency education.
Target Beneficiaries
- Primary Beneficiaries: 600-800 displaced children who will receive psychosocial and educational support.
- Direct Beneficiaries: 50 pre-service teachers from Al-Azhar University, who will receive training, mentorship, and professional development.
- Support Beneficiaries: 15 mentors and 4 faculty members from Gaza and the West Bank, who will provide training and guidance.
Key Activities
- Mentorship Support: Pair pre-service teachers with mentors from Gaza and the West Bank to address both educational and emotional challenges.
- Training Sessions: Conduct targeted workshops on trauma-informed pedagogy, SEL, and psychosocial support.
- Portfolio Development: Assist teachers in documenting their teaching experiences and practicum requirements towards their BA in Education.
- Monitoring and Feedback: Implement structured mentorship meetings, classroom observations, and feedback sessions.
- Evaluation and Reporting: Assess program impact and contribute to global knowledge on education in emergencies.
Long-Term Goals
- A scalable mentorship model adaptable to other conflict-affected regions.
- Increased teacher capacity in Gaza to address shortages and crisis-related challenges.
- Strengthened resilience and emotional stability for both children and educators.
Project Leadership Team
- Montaser El-Halabi, MEd (Gaza)— Education and technology expert with 30 years of experience; Director, Practicum Department, Al-Azhar University.
- Saida Jaser Affouneh, PhD (West Bank)— Leader in digital and emergency education; expertise in teacher training and online learning.
- Mahmoud Baidoun, PhD (West Bank)— Clinical psychologist specializing in child protection and trauma intervention in crisis settings.
- Ahlam M. Musa, PhD (USA)— Expert in teacher training and multilingual education with experience in crisis-affected settings.
- Louis Cristillo, PhD (USA)— Education specialist with 40 years of experience in teacher development and capacity-building.
- Kathleen Copeland, MATESL/MAFLP (USA)— International teacher educator with expertise in literacy development and professional learning initiatives.
How You Can Help
Education is a lifeline for children in crisis, offering stability, hope, and the chance for a brighter future. MESBAH is making that possible by equipping pre-service teachers to provide safe, trauma-sensitive learning environments for Gaza’s displaced children. You can play a vital role in ensuring the success and sustainability of this initiative.
We welcome support from:
- Foundations and philanthropic organizations
- International and regional NGOs
- Multilateral agencies and development organizations
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs
- Universities and research institutions
- Individuals
Ways to contribute:
- Financial support— Fund mentorship training, stipends for pre-service teachers, and procurement of educational materials.
- In-kind donations— Provide teaching resources, learning kits, and digital tools to enhance training and classroom instruction.
- Institutional partnerships— Collaborate on mentorship programs, research, and expanding emergency education solutions.
Join in supporting us today!
Contact us to be part of this critical initiative.
Montaser El-Halabi (Faculty of Education, Al-Azhar University, Gaza)
Email: montaser12@gmail.com
Dr. Saida Affouneh (An-Najah National University, Nablus, West Bank)
Email: s.affouneh@najah.edu
Dr. Louis Cristillo, (Education Consultant, USA)
Email: musnyc@gmail.com
By supporting MESBAH, you help sustain education as a source of resilience, empowerment,
and for children and future teachers in Gaza.
