Zainab, Syria: empowering Change
A young Zainab shouldered the responsibility of raising her siblings alone after losing both parents. For Zainab, this was the fire that sparked her fighting spirit.
“We faced hardship,” Zainab says. “But it fueled my drive to work hard.”
Overcoming societal norms that often hold women back, this is exactly what she did. While tradition dictated staying home, Zainab defied expectations by embracing new ideas to build a better life.
“Zainab, described by the other women in her village as someone whose “boldness and enthusiasm helped us overcome the fear we lived with and ignore society’s view of us as a working woman.”
Portrait of Zainab. © Action Against Hunger
“Working the fields brought me peace,” she says, “but it was hard work.”
Action Against Hunger first met Zainab at a livelihood training course. Her potential and openness to new beginnings was immediately obvious. During training on how to preserve food Zainab not only learned new skills, but also helped and inspired others.
Our project offered an opportunity – a chance for Zainab and other women to build their own businesses and a source of income. We didn’t just hand out money; we provided ongoing support and guidance to ensure the success of their ideas.
“The grant was a catalyst,” Zainab told us. “It empowered me to purchase the tools and material I needed to breathe life into my new business and propel its growth.”
Of course, there were challenges. Local customs frowned upon women working independently. But Zainab used her influence to convince others. Her patience and resilience earned her the respect of the entire village, men and women alike.
“Starting a business wasn’t easy,” Zainab reflects. “Getting supplies often meant travelling long distances to find a market to sell our products.” But Zainab wouldn’t be deterred. She and other women joined forces, sharing transportation costs and supporting each other every step of the way.
Zainab’s hard work and high-quality products quickly found a loyal following at the weekly bazaar. Soon, customers were asking for her by name, some even traveling to her village just to buy her products.
Her success became an inspiration to others. Five other women followed in her footsteps, starting their own businesses and transforming their lives. “Zainab’s courage gave us the strength to break free from fear,” shares one neighbour. “Seeing her success changed our husbands’ minds too. They realised the power women have to contribute to the family’s well-being.”
Today, Zainab is a trusted advisor, sharing the knowledge she gained with other women. Her life is no longer a cycle of seasonal work and uncertainty. With her thriving business, Zainab can now support herself and her family year-round.
Hurriyah, Syria: championing change in the fields
We were first introduced to Hurriyah through her father, a farmer on his land and the headmaster of the local school. As the daughter who had accompanied him to the fields every morning since childhood, they shared a strong bond.
At our meeting, she stood out from the crowd. Despite the presence of nearly 135 men and women, her questions reflected her extensive knowledge and experience in agriculture. It was clear she wasn’t just curious, she was passionate about farming.
Hurriyah’s village is steeped in tradition. Farming and raising livestock have been their way of life for generations. But times were tough. The crisis had hit them hard, making farming a risky gamble. Scarce resources and rising costs meant a bad harvest could be devastating.
Lentil seeds provided by Action Against Hunger as part of the conservation agriculture approach.
We’d been meeting with families for months, introducing them to conservation agriculture – a new approach that promised better yields. But changing age-old traditions isn’t easy. Even though we’d built trust through past projects, some farmers were understandably wary. What if it meant a failed harvest? They couldn’t afford that risk.
That’s where Hurriyah played a pivotal role. A natural leader with years of experience, she was someone everyone listened to.
“We women farmers started talking about conservation agriculture everywhere we went,” Hurriyah says. “Family gatherings, village events – it became our main topic. Most of our conversations were about conservation agriculture.”
Her enthusiasm was contagious. Hurriyah’s encouragement, especially among women, helped convince over 50 farmers to give new farming methods a try.
“During the training exams, I’d tell her my answers and she’d write them down. I trust her completely,” one woman shared. Hurriyah even simplified the trainers’ explanations, using their local dialect to make the training accessible to everyone.
Now, as the lentil seeds sprout, a sense of hope fills the air. “The benefits of this new farming method will show themselves over time, guaranteeing better yields,” Hurriyah says proudly. “We’re grateful to Action Against Hunger for being part of this transformation.”
Lentil crops grown using the method of conservation agriculture. © Action Against Hunger
Iraq
“I started farming when I was 9 years old. Over the last years, the level of water has decreased and, at the same time, salinisation has increased, which significantly impacted our production. I feel that my land is a part of me, and I would do whatever it takes to protect it.”
© Meethak Al Khatib for Action Against Hunger
Wafaa and Nawwar, Lebanon: strength and resilience in action
Wafaarecalls the tough days, “The conditions were difficult. We worked in tents, surrounded by citrus, lemon, and olive groves. Those days made us strong and taught us to rely on ourselves.
“If there is no one to help a person, they must help themselves,” Wafaa continues. “The more we work, the greater our sense of self becomes. We discover our own value, our own inner strength. Difficult times require you to be strong.”
Wafaa wants to tell every woman out there: “Rely on yourself, for you are your greatest asset. With determination and self-reliance, even the toughest challenges can be overcome.”
Portrait of Wafaa. © Action Against Hunger
Her journey took a turn when she joined Action Against Hunger’s work programme. “We challenged the world, we put in the work, and we thrived,” Wafaa states.
Her message to every woman is clear: “Rely on yourself, for you are your greatest asset. With determination and self-reliance, even the toughest challenges can be overcome.”
Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, the strength we all carry within ourselves to rise above hardship. “Work hard,” she urges other women. “Rely on yourself because you only have yourself and your hands.”
Nawwar understands the weight of responsibility. “It was incredibly difficult to find balance in my life – being a working woman, pursuing my educational journey, and raising my children in the right way while ensuring they receive proper education,” she reflects. “The responsibilities are immense, but I love my life and the tasks assigned to me because I am motivated.”
“The inner strength I possess, knowing that I must continue and be the pillar of strength for my children, so they never feel the need for anyone or lack anything, is the driving force that encourages me to persevere,” she shares.
Nawwar’s message to every woman to clear: “Never, ever give up and always fight. Don’t be the receiver, be the giver. No matter what challenges we face in our lives, we must always emerge stronger, with each challenge strengthening us even further.”
Portrait of Nawwar. © Action Against Hunger
Occupied Palestinian territories
A 19-year-old university student at the University College of Applied Science in Gaza just wants to go to school.
“Honestly, my life of displacement is very, very difficult. I miss my family. Some people left Gaza, and some got stuck here. I miss my university and I miss my life. I used to study IT and I was very happy with it. I have three years left to graduate but I’m not going to be able to finish them. I had many dreams and aspirations, and I still do. But war doesn’t have a roadmap. You don’t know when it will end. Right now, I just want to live abroad, continue my education, my life, my university, my studies, and my dreams and aspirations.
“None of the means of life are available to anyone. There’s no clean water, no electricity at all, and the internet works sometimes if you’re lucky, sometimes it doesn’t.”
“We’re living in a state of non-existence. I wish everyone could understand this. We’re living in scarcity, so it’s natural for humanitarian aid to be important because people here don’t eat like the rest of the world. Access to clean water and food is deprived.”
“There’s a part of the day called the “dough-making” part because the occupation has deprived us of electricity or bakeries, so we knead, bake, and eat.”
“We’re all crowded together, the entire family, including my married brother, is crowded in a 20m2 tent. The situation is tough. There’s no question of privacy in war at all.”
© Action Against Hunger
A mother of three children, one of whom was born in Gaza during the war, just wants dignity for herself and her children.
“The life of displacement is humiliating… There are many families in the same room. The room is divided into several sections to allow each family to have some privacy. But there’s no real privacy when the only thing separating us is a blue sheet.”
“The queue to the bathroom is huge. I’ve improvised by making a small bathroom for my kids in the classroom. I clean it myself.”
“Before the war we were settled in our homes – able to provide our children with everything they needed: clothing, shelter, security, stability, and education.”
“The children eat first as they can’t tolerate hunger. But we, the grownups, can be patient. Although, I should be eating well as I’m breastfeeding. The baby was born into difficult circumstances.”
“Safety… there’s no salvation, no hope… this time, my third child was born during the war, in a school displacement camp. I never expected the war to last long enough for me to give birth during it. School shelters are chaotic. Imagine a pregnant woman there… there were few bathrooms, so I had to limit my water intake. There was a time when I avoided going to the bathroom because it was chaotic. I got contractions one night, I stayed until I couldn’t hold it anymore. My father-in-law took me to the hospital. If we called an ambulance, there was no communication. My parents were far away, and it was night and unsafe. My childbirth was easy. There was no time for tests or examinations. They took me as an emergency case, and I gave birth naturally. I left the hospital at 9am in the morning.”
“With the scarcity of food and lack of care my baby was born small, weighing only 2kg. All the clothes I had were left in a house that we fled and was later bombed. We left with only the clothes we were wearing when we were displaced. This is the fourth time we have been displaced.”
© Action Against Hunger
