The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack A Tent is Not a Home
Jan 2, 2026
Rewa (Riwaa) Abu Khota is a resilient young Palestinian woman from Rafah, displaced by war. In this heartfelt discussion, she shares her harrowing experiences living in a tent for over a year. Rewa vividly describes the relentless struggle against storms, cold, and flooding. She speaks about caring for her disabled sister and the despair of lost dreams, as even basic routines have morphed into survival tasks. Her reflections on the dangers of daily life under drone surveillance illustrate the harsh reality for her family as they seek safety amidst chaos.
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Tent Life Is Not Home
- Rewa describes living in a tent as unbearable and unsafe for six girls, repeatedly damaged by storms.
- She says the tent will never be a home despite constant repairs after each storm.
Cold Feels Like A Constant Loss
- Rewa says warmth feels forgotten since being displaced and that nothing helps against the pervasive cold.
- She likens the cold to a ghost that steals any warmth they try to create.
Flooded Tent, Sleepless Nights
- Heavy rain flooded their tent, bursting tarps and forcing the family to rush and salvage belongings.
- The experience left Rewa's sister terrified and the family effectively sleepless for days.