Weaving Strength: Maysa’s Transformation Against the Odds

Maysa, a 37-year-old mother of four, was displaced at least six times within Gaza following the escalation of hostilities back in October 2023. As her husband’s chronic illness prevents him from working, she remains the primary caregiver for her family. But amid the desperate conditions deepened by the war, her income is anything but stable.

Sheltering in a damaged tent in An Nuseirat refugee camp, Maysa relied on charity kitchens for daily meals and walked long distances to secure drinking water. The harsh living conditions, coupled with her husband’s deteriorating health, contributed to her anxiety and sleep disorders.

In response to the growing humanitarian crisis, the Women’s Affairs Center (WAC), with support from the oPt Humanitarian Fund (HF), provided group psychological support sessions in the camp. Maysa participated in these sessions and received basic hygiene supplies. “After the sessions, I really found comfort,” she said.

Motivated by her passion for fashion design, Maysa sought additional support from WAC’s case manager. She joined a short training programme on skills for running a small sewing workshop, including budgeting, pricing, and basic marketing.

“The course was a turning point in my life,” Maysa explained. Through a small grant, she acquired sewing materials and organized a modest workspace in her tent, using a pedal-operated sewing machine, as the Gaza Strip had been cut off from electricity.

The impact on Maysa’s family was immediate. She generated income, enabling her to purchase winter clothing, medications for her husband, and food and water, even amid volatile market conditions. “The support changed everything in my life,” Maysa said. “I feel empowered and hopeful”.

Maysa expressed profound gratitude to WAC, saying, “They stood by me when I felt hopeless. The psychological and material support they provided was priceless. I once thought their help was just words, but now I realize how much it has changed my life.”