From Gaza to the World: Nahed’s story of healing through TeamUp

Nahed’s journey has taken her from classrooms in Gaza to training spaces across Western Asia. Today, she is a Master Trainer, Mentor and Global Technical Advisor for TeamUp,  a unique movement-based psychosocial support methodology co-owned by War Child and Save the Children. Her path is guided by resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to creating safe spaces for children and their communities.

TeamUp allows children to process stress and trauma not through words, but through movement, rhythm, and play, giving them safety, hope, and a chance to feel seen. “In places where childhood has been interrupted by war, fear, or displacement, TeamUp gives children moments of light, of rhythm, of being seen and heard,” Nahed explains. “Even to put a smile on kids' faces is such a huge achievement in such terrifying contexts.”

Born in Algeria to a Gazan family, Nahed moved to Gaza as a teenager and quickly found herself facing challenges that might have silenced many. Instead, they ignited her drive to create change for herself, and for others. She excelled at the university in Gaza and began her humanitarian career at UNRWA, supporting schools that became shelters during times of war.

Later, Nahed continued her studies in Cyprus, expanding her work on psychosocial support and gender equity across borders. Every step of her journey has been guided by one question: how can we help people rebuild their inner world, even when the outer world feels unsafe?

Nahed found part of that answer in TeamUp. “I was working at War Child when I was offered training on TeamUp,” she recalls. “I found it a very interesting opportunity to grow professionally. What I never imagined is that it would help me heal my own wounds and truly transform my life.” For her, TeamUp was not just a programme. It became a lifeline.

Parallel to her work with children, Nahed has devoted herself to supporting women. She mentors and advocates for women navigating personal and professional challenges, helping them build resilience, emotional well-being, and leadership. “Among my proudest achievements is empowering my daughters to pursue education and be strong and independent,” Nahed says – a living reflection of the values she promotes.

Nahed’s work reflects her belief that healing and hope can coexist, even in the toughest places. Whether working with children or guiding women to reclaim their strength, her mission is the same: to create spaces where people can heal, grow, and thrive.

“I dedicate this effort to my own kids and to all the innocent souls in Gaza, both the ones who are in heaven, and the ones who are still on earth waiting to feel safe again. We owe them more than silence. We owe them spaces to move, to breathe, to be children.”

Through Nahed and the growing network of TeamUp trainers and facilitators, these spaces now exist – not just in Gaza, but for hundreds of thousands of children around the world.