On the fateful day of 8th September, a devastating 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in its wake. Among the many impacted by this natural disaster was Nesreen Abu ElFadel, a dedicated schoolteacher whose life was forever altered. Nesreen, who was in Marrakesh at the time of the earthquake, immediately thought of her students in Adaseel, a village much closer to the epicenter. Little did she know that her worst fears would be realized when she discovered that all 32 of her beloved pupils had perished.
Heartbroken and filled with unimaginable sorrow, Nesreen embarked on a painful journey back to Adaseel, hoping against hope that somehow her students would be safe. But the reality she faced was devastating – all her students, ranging in age from six to twelve, had been tragically taken away from her. In an emotional account, she tearfully recounted how she asked about each child, desperately clinging to the belief that they were just misplaced or injured. But the heart-wrenching truth slowly unfolded, leaving her shattered. As she spoke to the BBC, her voice quivered with grief and disbelief.
The earthquake, the strongest ever recorded in Morocco, had wreaked havoc primarily in the southern regions near Marrakesh, where numerous mountain villages lay in ruins. Adaseel was among the worst affected, with its school collapsing under the relentless force of nature. Nesreen vividly described the tragic discovery of Khadija, her cherished student, who lay lifeless next to her siblings. The thought of losing Khadija, a bright, lively child with a passion for singing, was especially painful for Nesreen. She vividly remembered the joyous moments they shared, studying and talking together.
Nesreen cherished her role as a teacher, educating children in a village populated by Amazigh, who primarily spoke Tamazight, their indigenous language. Despite the challenges of poverty and a cost-of-living crisis, these children and their families recognized the immeasurable value of education. In Nesreen’s words, going to school was “the most important thing in the world” for them. Their enthusiasm and love for learning touched her heart deeply. In fact, their final class, held just hours before the earthquake, was dedicated to learning Morocco’s national anthem, which they had planned to sing together on Monday morning.
The trauma and shock of losing her students and witnessing the destruction of her school have left Nesreen in a state of perpetual anguish. Sleep evades her, and the weight of her grief is almost unbearable. While many consider her fortunate to have survived, she struggles to see a future without her students. In the midst of her pain, she expresses a glimmer of hope that one day, the school will be rebuilt, and her students’ lives will be honored and remembered. However, for now, she is caught in the throes of her grief, unable to comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy that has befallen her.
Nesreen’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the countless lives shattered by natural disasters and the long path to recovery that lies ahead. The government has already taken steps to address the situation, temporarily halting classes in the hardest-hit areas and acknowledging the extensive damage inflicted upon educational institutions. However, the road to rebuilding Adaseel’s school and the countless others in desperate need of reconstruction will be an arduous one.
As we reflect on Nesreen Abu ElFadel’s heartbreaking loss, it is essential to recognize the resilience of the human spirit and our collective responsibility to support those affected by such calamities. Nesreen’s unwavering dedication to her students and her determination to continue teaching in the face of unimaginable tragedy serves as an inspiring example. Amidst the rubble and heartache, we must not forget the importance of education, unity, and compassion in rebuilding shattered lives and communities.
Let us strive for a world where tragedies like this become increasingly rare, where schools become symbols of hope rather than casualties of nature’s fury. May Nesreen’s story ignite a spark of empathy and action, reminding us that even amidst the darkest days, the strength of the human spirit can prevail.
