Aya Abu Jahal: Addressing loss through supporting others

From being surrounded by family and friends and actively engaged in community service to enduring the pain of displacement and loss. Aya’s story is this of all Palestinians who have been struggling over a year of genocide in Gaza. Yet, her voice, persistence, and pursuit amid the hardships, are remarkable!
Recently, 22-year-old Aya finished her BA in English translation. She used to live in “Tal Al-Hawa” Towers in southwest Gaza City before the war destroyed the whole neighborhood, forcing her to forcibly evacuate to Al-Daraj neighborhood in the city center.
Before the war, my life was peaceful, and surrounded by my family. My daily routine at work was relatively normal, and I used to have hope and faith that the future would be brighter.
Says Aya

The war, however, did not spare Aya or other Palestinian girls. In its first days, she lost her brother, and later, her father who were both killed in an airstrike. Aya survived, becoming the sole survivor of her once-loving family. Yet, she did not succumb to this painful loss but insisted on pursuing a hard-determination chapter
I used to participate in many community initiatives; advocacy campaigns and cultural events that aim to foster community cohesion. Although things drastically changed, community work became more important. The focus shifted to highlighting the struggles of martyred families, injured individuals, and malnourished children. I participate in activities supporting the displaced to address their needs amid the escalated struggles.
Says Aya
Reflecting on how her life has changed, she notes: “Before the war, activities were calmer and more organized. But now, they are more pressing and urgent, driven by a strong sense of providing the unmet basic needs.”

Before the war, Aya has been an active member of many community initiatives including youth workshops and awareness activities. During the war, her role evolved to include distributing aid, contributing to shelter centers, and participating in initiatives such as the “Girls’ Tent” initiative with the Social Developmental Forum’s Youth Network.
Girls’ Tent Initiative
Reflecting on her involvement, Aya shares, “I participate in community work because I believe everyone can make a difference. In the current circumstances, collaboration is essential to overcome crises. I’ve been involved in initiatives like aid distribution and recreational activities for children.”

Aya was key in coordinating activities for the “Girls’ Tent” initiative, ensuring the girls felt safe and included. “We aimed to create an environment that encourages safe dialogue.” she explains.
During the session, Aya was on the edge of her seat; she coordinated interactive activities and created a remarkable atmosphere that facilitated the initiative’s implementation.
Reflecting on the young girls’ engagement in the initiative, Aya says, “They were very enthusiastic, showing a spirit of cooperation and a deep desire to change the situation. Their overwhelmingly positive reflections motivated us to help them and raise awareness about crucial health issues.”

The initiative created a unique atmosphere for the girls, providing First Aid Psychosocial support and fostering hope among them. The tent, implemented in the Gaza and North Governorates, targeted approximately 300 girls and women, aiming to raise awareness about personal hygiene for adolescent girls and women amid the scarcity of hygiene resources. The initiative included awareness workshops and the distribution of personal hygiene kits.
The tent was implemented in multiple locations: at the Social Developmental Forum’s headquarters in Gaza City, at Palestine School, and at Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali School, which shelters thousands of displaced people. Due to the lack of basic hygiene supplies, which have become exorbitantly unaffordable for many IDPs, who have lost their homes and means of survival, this initiative has become a feasible urgent intervention.