Manal Abdalqader Jaber, 40, "I hope these stories become a record of survival, resilience, and hope."
Manal Abdalqader Jaber, 40, from Gaza, Palestine, writes and shares imagery in real-time on her Substack about the violence she and her family are seeing as the aims of genocide are perpetrated against the Palestinian people.
My first interaction with her was to say I was praying for her and her family and that I hoped they could stay safe.
Manal responded that they did not know how to stay safe.
Her words were striking, a needful and forthright summary of what she and everyone in Palestine are experiencing, as there is simply no dependable access for preservation of self and others in the region.
I have corresponded with Manal ever since, offered support where I can, and was honored by her agreement to help her share her story with others.
As with every other Palestinian individual and family I’ve written about, I do this in the hope of bringing more awareness to what she and her family are experiencing, as well as practical help that is very welcome at her fundraiser here: https://chuffed.org/project/120983-manals-journey-a-call-for-survival
What is your full name, age, and birthplace?
My name is Manal Abdalqader Jaber.
I am 40 years old, and I lived in Gaza, Palestine.
Where are you currently, and what is your living situation?
I am still in Gaza with my husband and our six children. Since the war began, we have lost our home and have been displaced multiple times.
We are currently living in very difficult conditions without the safety or stability every family deserves. Every day is focused on finding food, water, and trying to protect my children.
You refer to being a designer before becoming a storyteller. What kind of design work did you do, and what led you to storytelling on Substack?
Before the war, I worked as a graphic designer, specializing in branding and packaging design. I enjoyed creating visual identities and helping businesses present themselves creatively.
When the war destroyed my home, my office, and the life I had built, I could no longer continue my work.
Storytelling became the only way I could continue creating. Instead of designing brands, I began documenting our daily lives, hoping that honest stories could help people understand what families in Gaza are experiencing. Substack became my place to share those stories directly with readers around the world.
Much of your content features the Mediterranean Sea and food. What do they mean to you?
The sea has always been a place of peace for me. Even during the war, standing by the Mediterranean reminds me that beauty still exists.
When I photograph the sea, I want people to see the same horizon my children look at every day, a place where they can forget fear, even if only for a few moments.
Food has become another way of telling our story. Every meal we prepare represents resilience.
Sometimes we cook with very limited ingredients, but we still gather together. Sharing recipes and meals is my way of preserving our culture and reminding people that behind every headline are families trying to live ordinary lives.
Are you working on any long-term storytelling projects?
Yes. I want to continue documenting our family's journey through the war and beyond. I hope these stories become a record of survival, resilience, and hope.
I also want my children to one day look back and know that even in the darkest times, we kept telling the truth.
What led you to starting your fundraiser, and how are you able to get online?
I started the fundraiser because my family lost almost everything. We need help covering basic necessities such as food, clean water, medicine, and my children's education. My greatest wish is simply to give them a safe future.
Getting online is often difficult. Electricity and internet access are unreliable, so whenever I have a connection, I write, upload photos, and respond to readers as quickly as I can.
What do you want people around the world to know about you and your family?
I want people to know that we are an ordinary family. Before the war, we had dreams, work, school, birthdays, and simple routines.
We are not defined only by tragedy.
My children still laugh, play, study when they can, and dream about their futures. We are trying to hold on to our humanity despite everything around us.
What do you want people in America to know about Palestine?
I hope people will see Palestinians as human beings, not statistics. Every number represents a family, a child, a parent, a story.
We want the same things every family wants: safety, dignity, education, opportunity, and peace.
Listening to individual stories helps people understand that reality better than numbers ever can.
Is there anything else you'd like people to know?
The support I receive from readers around the world reminds me that compassion has no borders. Every message, every shared story, and every donation tells my children that they have not been forgotten.
