Ghada Ahmed

Ghada, 25, studied English at the Islamic University of Gaza and now is pursuing her master's in Qatar. She has worked as a librarian and translator for the Center for Political and Development Studies and then as an English teacher. "In Gaza, you have to accept jobs you don't like, since it's what's available. I don't prefer teaching, but my students helped me enjoy what I was doing," she comments.

She also is very interested in psychology, as she believes it's important to understand both people's behavior and their internal world. Reading is her "inspiration" and writing is her "passion." Ghada comes from a land that "has never seen peace," but she says flowers, birds, rain and the beach are her source of peace and muse. Her dream is to run a flower shop (although it's not common in Gaza for a female to do so) and learn horseback riding.