Palestinian survivor of the Gaza genocide wins gold at São Paulo Math Olympiad

Fifteen-year-old Palestinian student Tala Mohammed Awad, a survivor of Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, has won a gold medal in the second phase of the Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, known as OMASP 2026.

Tala secured the top honor after excelling in the statewide public school competition, marking a major academic achievement for a student who arrived in Brazil after enduring displacement and the devastating impact of the war on Gaza.

Since arriving in Brazil, Tala has quickly learned Portuguese and adapted to a new school system and community. Her academic success highlights both her resilience and her commitment to education despite the severe challenges she has faced.

According to posts circulated in Portuguese, Tala won gold in “Fase II” of the competition, the stage linked to municipal classification. The result places her among the students qualified to compete in the upcoming state-level phase.

OMASP is one of São Paulo state’s notable educational competitions, designed to encourage public school students to develop their mathematics skills and strengthen academic excellence across the public education system.

Tala’s achievement has drawn attention not only because of her performance in mathematics, but also because of the circumstances behind her journey. After surviving the Gaza genocide, relocating to Brazil, learning a new language, and integrating into a new academic environment, she has emerged as one of the standout students in the competition.

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Speaking to MEMO, Tala said the achievement was an emotional moment that reflected months of effort, study, and family support. “I was very happy, and at first I could not believe it,” she said. “I felt that all the hard work and studying had paid off. The first thing I thought about was telling my father and mother, because they always encouraged me and told me that I could succeed no matter the circumstances.”

For Tala, the gold medal carries a meaning far beyond academic success. As a Palestinian child from Gaza who lived through war and displacement, she said the award represents resilience, identity, and hope. “This achievement means a lot to me because I am Palestinian from Gaza, and I lived through very difficult times because of the war,” she said. “I never imagined that one day I would stand in another country and win a gold medal.”

Tala said she felt she was carrying more than her own name when she received the award. “I feel that I did not represent only myself, but also Palestine and every Palestinian child who dreams of succeeding despite all circumstances,” she said.

Although Tala had hoped to perform well in the competition, she said winning gold came as a major surprise. “I had hoped to achieve a good result, but the gold medal was a very beautiful surprise for me,” she said.

Tala also spoke about the challenges she faced after arriving in Brazil, particularly adapting to a new language and education system. “At first, Portuguese was difficult for me, and sometimes I felt afraid because I did not understand everything,” she said. “But my teachers and classmates helped me a lot, and they were patient with me.”

She added that her parents played a key role in helping her continue her education and rebuild her confidence. “At home, my father and mother helped me every day and encouraged me to learn and not lose hope,” Tala said. “Over time, I started to understand more, and things became easier.”

In a message to the children of Gaza, Tala urged them to hold on to hope despite the devastation of war. “Never lose hope,” she said. “I know that war is very difficult because I lived through it, but do not stop dreaming.”

She encouraged Palestinian children to continue their education and remain committed to their ambitions. “Work hard in your studies and hold on to your dreams, because success is possible even after the most difficult circumstances,” she said.

Tala Mohammed Awad’s family cheers for the Brazilian national team during a 2026 FIFA World Cup match. [Mohammed Awad]

Tala’s father, Mohammed Awad, said the family received the news of her achievement with overwhelming emotion. “We received the news with tears of joy before words could even come,” he said. “I felt that my heart was not big enough to hold this pride. Tala did not just win a medal; she gave us back a piece of the joy that the war had stolen from us.”

Speaking as a father, Awad described the moment as deeply personal and difficult to put into words. “When I saw Tala achieve this milestone, I remembered our fear in Gaza, the sounds of bombing, and the nights when we did not know whether we would survive until morning,” he said. “I remembered how my daughter emerged from fear and destruction to stand today with her head held high. This is not an ordinary victory; this is a child’s triumph over war.”

Awad said Tala has gradually begun to recover from the trauma of war and rebuild her sense of safety and confidence. “Tala has begun to reclaim herself,” he said. “In Gaza, the war was stealing children’s childhoods, but in Brazil she found a safe space to learn, dream, and prove herself. I saw her come back to life step by step.”

The family of Tala Mohammed Awad at the Rafah crossing shortly before being evacuated from Gaza during the 2023 genocide.

He also reflected on the family’s difficult journey out of Gaza and the challenges of starting again in Brazil. “It was an extremely harsh journey,” Awad said. “We left Gaza carrying fear, pain, and heavy memories. We left behind a home, family, and an entire life, and we survived a war that shows no mercy to a child, a mother, or a father. Arriving in Brazil was a start from zero, but it was also a chance to save our children from death and fear.”

Despite building a new life in Brazil, Awad emphasized that Palestine remains central to the family’s identity. “Palestine is not just a place; Palestine is memory, blood, and identity,” he said. “We are raising Tala to understand that her success here in Brazil is also a success for Palestine. We preserve our language, our story, and our roots, and we always remind her that she is the daughter of a patient and strong people.”

Awad said the family is focused on creating a secure future for their children while staying connected to their roots. “We are trying to build a safe future for our children in Brazil, but without removing Palestine from our hearts,” he said. “We want them to succeed here and become respected members of Brazilian society, while at the same time remaining loyal to their origin and their cause.”

He concluded with a message to the people of Gaza, saying Tala’s achievement represents resilience beyond one family. “I know the pain is immense, and that the war has taken so much from you, but it has not taken your dignity or your ability to live,” Awad said. “Today, Tala says that a child from Gaza can rise from beneath the rubble and turn fear into achievement. Wherever we go, we will continue to carry Gaza in our hearts, and we will raise the name of Palestine in every way we can.”

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