The devastation for families in Gaza does not cease when bombs do. Manal and her husband, Karim, live in a frequently targeted village on the border of Gaza, where they rent a small, cloth-roofed house and a 600 square-meter greenhouse for farming. Two of their twelve children live with disabilities and have specific health and food needs. The family is grateful for what they have, even though every cent they make is spent on food and medicine, and it’s still not enough. “Seeing my children in this condition tortures me and makes me constantly worried about their future,” says Karim. 

Back in May 2021 during another severe bombardment, the family fled to a safer area and returned a month later to find their greenhouse damaged beyond use. The stress triggered Karim’s heart disease, and as a result, physical labor became difficult for him. So, Manal and their daughters took over most of the farming. 

In the aftermath of the bombardment, UPA mobilized the Small Business Development program to support farmers affected by the violence. The program empowered Manal and Karim to rehabilitate their greenhouse and procure seeds and fertilizer to plant a new crop. “UPA gave me important materials that I badly needed to farm my land. Above all of that, they gave me respect and compassion. I was not sure if the planting would succeed because the greenhouse needed a lot of rehabilitation. UPA’s support came right in time. I am no longer worried about the crops,” says Karim.  

The rehabilitation combined and business training equipped Manal and Karim to build the sustainable source of income they have always longed for. In prior harvests, the family produced 2,600 kg of pepper for about $1,400. This season, they expect to harvest 8,000 kg, more than tripling their income to $4,400. Now that his family’s situation is more secure, Karim is planning for the future. In addition to buying food and medicines for his kids, he will rent another piece of land for planting. 

These are the seeds of resilience that Palestinians cultivate year after year. Your support can multiply their hard work by providing the resources needed to grow a brighter future.