Who is Ms Rachel? YouTube educator supporting children in Gaza

Rachel Griffin Accurso, better known as Ms Rachel on YouTube, is a children’s educator making videos featuring educational songs and lessons, who recently discovered that she has a new audience. One that she is committed to helping and supporting, despite the criticism and bullying she is subject to for doing so.

Often compared to Mr Rogers, Ms Rachel posts nursery rhymes along with educational videos that seek to teach preschool education, including how to speak, read, and learn to identify animals and colours among other things. While already incredibly popular, boasting nearly 15 million subscribers, Ms Rachel has been heavily featured in the news as of recent for the attention she’s brought to the humanitarian crises in Gaza. And it all started when she was tagged in a video of three Palestinian kids engrossed in one of her videos.

“I was just so touched that I could bring a little bit of joy to them during unimaginable circumstances.”

Since discovering her new audience, Ms Rachel has taken to social media to voice her support and condemn those who stay silent on the matter. Last year, she also raised 50,000 dollars for Save the Children from 500 Cameo requests.

Her efforts to provide support for the children in Gaza has been met with praise from many. However, she has also seen her fair share of hostility from those who claim her support for Gaza, signifies her disregard for Israeli children.

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“The bullying is so bad. It’s so bad. But I can handle this,” Ms Rachel says in an Instagram video which shows her crying. She goes on to state that “saying I don’t care about all kids, its like it just hurts so bad, that is who I am, I love my neighbour, I love every child.”

The caption on her video reads “I care deeply for all children. Palestinian children, Israeli children, children in the US -Muslim, Jewish, Christina children, all children, in every country. Not one is excluded

To do a fundraiser for children who are currently starving – who have no food or water – who are being killed – is human.”

In an interview conducted earlier this week by Mehdi Hasan, Ms Rachel was asked why some people are so outraged when she speaks up about Palestinian children.

“It’s sad that people try to make it controversial when you speak out for children that are facing immeasurable suffering,” Ms Rachel said, pointing to the astounding number of child amputees and WCNSFs from Gaza (Wounded child, no surviving family).

When asked why she didn’t listen to those telling her to be quiet, Ms Rachel said “because I have empathy, and I do also have the peace of god.”

“I just know what is right, and I just have to.”

Since October 7, over 16,500 Palestinian children have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

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