Palestinian children take notes as they attend a class in the historic Al-Kamaliya al-Othmanya school in Gaza City's Old Town, as part of a volunteer initiative organised by displaced teachers, in Gaza City

Palestinian children take notes as they attend a class in the historic Al-Kamaliya al-Othmanya school in Gaza City's Old Town, as part of a volunteer initiative organised by displaced teachers, in Gaza City

 Omar AL-QATTAA

With no backpack, books or uniform, 11-year-old Layan Haji navigates the ruins of Gaza City and heads to a makeshift classroom after two years of war halted her education.

But the school is not what she is used to. Painted walls and students' artwork no longer adorn the walls and hallways -- instead, tents set up in a battered building serve as their temporary classrooms. 

Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.