Schooling and Harvesting in Times of Conflict:
the Story of Ajyal School and the Resilience of Local Farmers
The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip continues to deeply affect the lives of thousands of families. The story of Ajyal School, along with the initiative of several local farmers, stands as a powerful testament to solidarity and resilience in the face of extreme hardship.
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The forced “temporary” closure of Ajyal School
A few weeks ago, increased violence in the region forced the evacuation of the town of Khan Yunis, where Ajyal School was located. Teachers, students and their families were forced to flee their homes and take refuge in various coastal communities in the Mediterranean area of Al Mawasi. Many are now living in camps with very limited resources.
The evacuation also disrupted in-person classes. However, the teaching staff—led by the school’s headmistress—has remained deeply committed to their students. Using WhatsApp groups, they continue to send assignments, provide feedback, and offer support. Despite the challenging conditions, many children complete their homework in tents and send photos to their teachers for correction.
Access to education is not the only thing that has been severely impacted. Families also face immense difficulties in obtaining food, as distribution points are scarce and far away for many.
Community strength in action: the farmers’ initiative
In response to the crisis, several farming families have launched an initiative to make the most of the arable land still available to them. They are harvesting fresh produce—such as tomatoes, aubergines, courgettes, peppers, and various fruits—which they sell in boxes or big bags to the Gazan communities. This provision helps supplement the diets of many displaced people, as distribution points mainly provide non-perishable items like flour, rice, and canned goods.
Beyond supplying fresh food, this initiative also generates much-needed income for the farming families. However, they face significant challenges: the ongoing economic, financial, and humanitarian crisis continues to drive up costs. Each box of vegetables and fruit costs around €120, but approximately 45% of that amount is lost to “cash-out agent fees” when they cash their money, leaving farmers with just €66 in net income. While the cost is high, this structure is essential to keep the initiative viable and ensure the families can support themselves.
Due to the impact of bank fees, farmers were forced to set these prices for certain products:
- 1Kg of tomatoes – 15€ (approx.)
- 1Kg of cucumbers – 14€ (approx.)
- 1Kg of aubergines/eggplants – 10€ (approx.)
- 1Kg of sultan peppers – 18€ (approx.)
- 1Kg of local peppers – 18€ (approx.)
- 1Kg of courgettes/zucchini – 14€ (approx.)
- 1Kg of molokhia – 9€ (approx.)
- 1Kg of cabbage – 14€ (approx.).
Despite the obstacles, this grassroots network is making a tangible difference. It not only provides fresh food to Gazan communities but also offers farming families a way to sustain themselves amid one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
A call for solidarity
Stories like those of the Ajyal School and the local farmers highlight the power of solidarity and collective action in times of conflict.
At Conexión CP, we are committed to supporting these farming families, who play a vital role in providing fresh food to displaced communities.
That’s why we’re launching a call for collaboration. With your donations, we can help these families sustain their crops—supporting not only their livelihoods, but also ensuring that thousands of displaced Gazans have access to fresh, nutritious food for free.
If you would like to support our next fresh food distribution, click here: FRESH VEGETABLES FOR GAZANS.
And if you have any questions, please write to info@conexioncp.org
Conexión CP Team
30th June 2025
[translated and adapted from the original Spanish]
