Jenen’s Story Two Years After the Genocide Changed Palestine Forever

Jenen is a Palestinian medicine student in Cuba who can't go home because of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Two years after the last war started, Jenen reflects on her process of grieving, her family and her home. Her story is one of loss, survival and courage.

TRANSCRIPT

“My name is Jenen Hani Alean Alzwaraa. I’m from Gaza, Palestine,” she said softly, her eyes steady on the mirror as she adjusted her white coat. Jenen is a Palestinian medical student living in Cuba on a government scholarship.

“I’m a Palestinian medical student on a scholarship in Cuba. For two years now, I’ve been unable to return to my country because of Israel’s genocide against my people,” explained the young Palestinian doctor-in-training, her voice carrying both pride and exhaustion.

Alzwaraa is one of more than 200 Palestinian students studying medicine in Cuba, thanks to a scholarship program offered by the Cuban government.

“Palestine is a wonderful country—its people, its culture, its nature, its climate,” she reflected with a soft smile. “When I think about Palestine, I understand the cause of the Israeli occupation.”

“I’ve lived through three wars in Gaza,” the student continued, “but the Israeli occupation has lasted for almost eight decades. Before October 7, 2023, I had already lost family members, friends, my home.”

“We Palestinians in the occupied territories live in fear, because at any moment a bomb could end our lives and the lives of our loved ones,” she explained, her tone heavy with memory.

“As a Palestinian, seeing my people being exterminated causes me indescribable pain and anger,” said the medical student. “I suffer from stress, depression, and insomnia. I can barely pay attention to my studies.”

“For me, a good day is when I can communicate with my mother,” she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. “My mother always tells me, ‘We will try to stay alive, but you who are outside are our voice—the ones responsible for telling our story to the world.’”

Looking out toward the sea, the young doctor added quietly, “I will always be grateful to Cuba for giving me the opportunity to study, make friends, speak out, and live. Thanks to Cuba, I can be the hope of my family and of many Palestinian women.”