Tamam Dorraje

 Tamam Dorraje is a 71 year old woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  She is responsible for her own family of four daughters and a handicapped son as well as her son and his family.  Tamam’s husband passed away in 1965 and since then she has been working on her small farm in Beit Hanoun to provide for her family.

“After the IOF bulldozed my farm and my small house, I am living in misery with my family.  I receive some relief and assistance, which isn’t enough.  I take my medicine on an empty stomach and this makes my stomach very upset.  For iftoor, we usually eat dry bread and sometimes tomatoes.”

Abed Allatif ALzaaneen 

 “24 hours I sit on this chair, and there is no one to look after me “

Abed Allatif ALzaaneen, 38 years old, had his two legs cut as a result of multiple gunshot wounds from the IOF .  His life has completely changed, and he can no longer take care of his five children.  He is unable to provide for their food or educational needs.

“No one has come to help my family.  The children don’t have bread or books, and now I am handicapped.  I used to work on my father’s farm, but the IOF bulldozed and destroyed the farm and the well.  I have nothing to do.  My children and I try to live on what others give us.  The [UPA] food basket helps but it in neither enough nor regular.”

Ahmed el Basyouni

Ahmad, 75 year old farmer, is responsible for more than 20 people, three of which are mentally disabled.  Recently, his farm of 21 dunums was completely destroyed.  He told of the devastation of having his livelihood annihilated, and most of the time, he could not finish his sentences.  Stopping to sigh, or to fall back into the memories of what once was.

Ali El Basyouni is Ahmad’s grandson.  At only 11 years old, he has had a much different form of education than children his age. 

 “We hear gunshots, shellings, and bombings everyday.  This has become normal for us.  I see bloodshed all the time.  I am no longer afraid of it.”  He continued by saying “We are not like the children all over the world.  We don’t fear death.”  Asked of what his dreams were, he smiled and said “I dream of playing football.”  This does not seem possible for Ali who is caught in the life of tanks, soldiers, and total destruction.

 Ola A Nasser

 Ola’s husband Khaled Naser was killed by IOF at the Beit Hanoun check point (Erez ) while he was going to work inside the1948 Israel.  Ola, who is looking after her six children and her ill mother-in-law tearfully told MA'AN about her suffering but couldn’t finish because she was so distraught.  She is having an extremely difficult time providing food for her family and feels guilty and ashamed that she is unable to make sure her children are not going to bed hungry.