Stories

Dr. Sondos Eddeeb

Director of the Hayat Cancer Patient Support Organization

Perhaps what I endured was meant to open my eyes to another hidden world of human suffering. I wouldn’t have found the strength to keep going if not for the pain of those I left behind, still struggling.

Kholoud Hamad

Counselor and Psychotherapist

My journey in this field has been full of challenges, but every time I help someone survive, I feel the great value I bring to my community.

Allaedin Ezzedin

Founding member of the Rawahil Foundation

Fieldwork in Libya wasn't easy. Society's hesitation towards social work was a challenge, and it made it difficult to build trust.

Wala Khalifa

Civil and human rights activist

I was trying to survive in this country, but hearing the cries for help around me taught me how to fight for others.

Maryam Moftah

Health management and development

Living in Libya teaches us to pave our path. I too paved mine and as I reached my destination, I was led to the most important milestone in my life.

Rabia Habbas

Journalist and media activist

I walked the path of media like navigating a minefield, with caution, courage, and faith in the word.

Reda Edwal

Accountant and international finance trainer

Never had I imagined that I would be forced to leave my home and dreams, escaping death to live elsewhere, facing hardships.

Abdusalam Shlebak

Disability rights advocate

Libyan law wasn't a support for us to lean on, or Libya a place that embraced our disabilities, but we will not give up until we secure our rights in our own country.

Al Hassan Bakkar

Civil activist, peacebuilding specialist

When war stops, the bullets fall silent, but hatred continues to grow, dividing society and destroying its unity. Meanwhile, conflicts predict the collapse of the nation. This is why we must take action to prevent its total loss.

Gofran Ayad

French language graduate and entrepreneur

Every time I hear a sound resembling an explosion, I relive the horror, one of many lasting scars of war engraved in the hearts of Libyans.

Amin El Zeyat

Visual artist, Director of Funoon Institute

As a child, art was a hobby, but I now realize it isn't a diversion but an effective tool for community development and promoting values of citizenship.

Basem Algarradhi

Disability rights advocate, president of Zeikom Zeina

I shut my eyes for a moment and when I opened them, the world wasn't as it was.

Hanan Mgeg

French language teacher

I never imagined that night, which began like an ordinary one, would be the beginning of the end of everything in my life.

Ayad Abdul Jalil

Investigative journalist from Tawergha

I never imagined that speaking the truth would put me behind bars twice, but I was ready to sacrifice everything for my family and their rights.

Aisha Bsikri

Scout leader and Education Activist

If war doesn't take your soul, it will take away your basic rights in life! I chose not to let war steal my life and continued working in the humanitarian field, no matter the circumstances.

Ibrahim Al-Fitouri

Civil activist, Libyan Youth Hostels Association

Overnight, my life turned upside down. Everyone I loved was buried under rubble, and the land of Derna, which I cherished, became their grave. I couldn’t tell if I was awake or trapped in a horrifying nightmare.

Tofaha Awad

Photographer focused on social issues

Those photographs up on the walls of the exhibition were not just beautiful harmonious shapes and colors, but rather a mirror that reflected the feelings of the people lost amid their shackled feelings, unable to express their rights out loud.

Ali Almahmoude

Journalist and human rights defender

I never thought that my passion for journalism would cost me my freedom in my homeland and drive me to emigrate.

Anas Algabsi

Blogger and civil activist

Many think that words can't bring change, especially in a country like Libya but I discovered that blogging holds power beyond expectations and a free voice can reveal the truth and ignite change.

Zahia Ali

Researcher on human rights issues

The typical image of a woman defending women's rights is distorted, but I no longer see it as an obstacle, because I believe that real change begins with a first step, regardless of how small or risky.

Moayad Zaghdani

Consultant in media and communication

I spent the night with my friends at Al Garabulli beach. I woke up early for a swim. And when I was out, I was surprised by 64 missed calls from family members.

Atiya Alhasadi

Chairman of the Roaya Foundation

A year has passed, but time seems to have stopped that night; my mind refuses to accept what happened, and my heart is still broken because of it.

Mawada Gadah

Pediatrician, founder of Al-Sarraj Al-Munir Association

Many people assume that Libyan society does not have social classes, but in reality, there are people living in poverty among us, and we are separated by a deep intellectual and cultural gap in addition to their financial needs.

Akram Al-Najjar

Freelance journalist, master's in criminal law

As a Libyan journalist witnessing rapid events, I am often overwhelmed by unanswered questions that stir both confusion and ambition within me.

Amin Al Hashemi

Journalist focusing on human rights

Throughout my career, I have witnessed many tragic stories, engraved on my memory. But this specific story is stuck in my mind and has changed my life and beliefs.

Memoun Sheikh

Advocate for refugee and stateless rights

Have you ever experienced being deficient in citizenhood, marginalized, and deprived of your most basic human rights? Have you ever felt what it’s like to be a Libyan without an identity?

Nadia Jammom

Psychotherapist

I’ve been working in my field for four years and haven’t had any trouble maintaining the emotional stability needed for my job. Then Hurricane Daniel struck and turned everything upside down!

Zakaria Abusrewil

General Practitioner and Civil Activist

It was a cold, breezy night, we were preparing for a routine task. But it made me discover the true meaning of "willpower" which enables you to overcome fear and risk your life to save others.

Raied Gheblawi

Activist interested in environmental issues

When I heard of the tragedy in Derna, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of sadness, disappointment, and anger towards the negligence of the matter. I felt like I had been screaming in vain about climate change for twelve years.

Salsabil Alhadad

Independent journalist and human rights activist

While attempting to gather the devastating aftermath caused to the citizens by Hurricane Daniel, I kept pretending to be strong all day long… only to realize that all my hidden feelings would turn into tears at the end of the day.

Mohamed Masli

Documentary filmmaker

Many believe that creating documentary films doesn't significantly impact the community. However, through this cinematic medium, I brought to light numerous issues and staunchly defended the rights of the vulnerable.

Amera Elnaal

Journalist and advocate for the rights of women and the visually impaired

I will never forget the profound words my science teacher uttered when she learned about my parents' conditions: "Be cautious, for you are their eyes."

Wedad Almarimi

Specialist in special education and child rights activist

Few things are as heart-wrenching as witnessing a parent's response when you tell them it's too late to treat their child, and the prospects for a favorable treatment outcome are bleak.

Mohammed Algarj

Journalist and researcher on Libyan affairs

Around twenty days after my disappearance, news of my demise began to circulate, and many accepted it as truth, save for my family. They refused to hold a funeral until they had my lifeless body in their hands.

Wasof Alkhuwaylidi

Actor and TV director

For me, theater and acting were never merely an academic pursuit or a career; they were a passion, a canvas through which I could express myself.

Husam Alter

Journalist and activist

Every time I look at myself in the mirror, I remember that little child who used to hold the TV remote for hours and imitate newscasters and reporters so passionately.

Mansour Atte

Journalist and civil activist

Unjustly confined to a solitary cell, devoid of any specified charges, I had to adapt to the role of a prisoner, stripped of my identity and essence.

Abdul Jalil Al-Saadawi

Human rights activist and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities

In my childhood, I faced the cruel dilemma of sacrificing certain rights to attain others due to my disability. Yet, as time progressed, I learned the art of claiming all my rights.

Mohsen Ben Daw

Athlete and disability rights advocate

The bullet hit just 12 centimeters from my spinal cord, leaving me only to hope that walking again would be possible!

Youssef Abdel Qader Rayan

Programmer and web developer

I sometimes lost massive work projects and opportunities because I was not Libyan.

Muhammed Baraa Almahdi

Automotive mechanic

My life took a complete turn when I was forced by circumstances to leave my home nation and family behind in the search for a reliable source of income.

Jenni van Huyssteen

Teacher at an international school

Tears started rolling down my cheeks once I found myself seated on the plane, watching the city of Tripoli from the window as it vanished below me.

Fidaa Al-Agib

Sudanese broadcaster and media personality

I remember realizing what it truly feels like to be a foreigner. It numbed my senses and was biting.

Ali Shah

Building contractor

I dropped out of school, for a host of reasons, before completing my secondary school education. Instead, I chose to work to assist my family in enhancing our financial status and upward social mobility.

Alaa Ismail

Engineering student, University of Tripoli

Looking back, what saddens me the most, to this day, is my inability to participate in many activities because I wasn't Libyan. Then I started feeling like I didn't belong and was excluded, kept out, and marginalized.

Hajar Tayyar

Jordanian visual artist

Tripoli's beach has saved me from the monster that is depression. After the bitterness of alienation and parting from my family in Jordan, the vast sea has welcomed me with open arms.

Ahmed Salah

Barber and nursing graduate

Despite my hardships in Syria, I graduated from nursing school, which I had always dreamt of doing. I was eager to start practising this great human profession. Unfortunately, the war had other ideas.

Retaj Ben Khalifa

Volunteer, Libyan Red Crescent

In times of crisis, you find yourself at a crossroads; you either choose to be negative or be positive and volunteer to help alleviate the war.

Jonathan Kissinger

Restaurant owner

Being an English teacher allowed me to live abroad. As such, I could travel to many countries, including Libya, and discover many different cultures.

Abdo Jebara

Artist and Lebanese musician

The cultural diversity in Libya between Arabs, Tuareg, and Amazigh made the arts unique and fascinating. I have always tried to learn the language, but acquiring it proved challenging.

Fahed Nasiro

Specialist in digital marketing

If you weren't born into a wealthy family, then making a living and providing for yourself and your family would be difficult. That was the case in Nigeria.

Munira Anwar

Former Libyan national football player

I have always been passionate about football. I played it since I was a child with the neighbourhood boys. I decided at a young age that I could never leave it behind until my hair turned grey.

Khawla Bsikri

Visual artist

I never once imagined that I would abandon my childhood home, but evacuation orders had another say. My mother asked me to be prepared to leave. Despite everything, at first, I was firmly against it.

Rasha Al Deeb

Director and scenarist

As a child, I was the moderator of any game I took part in. I assigned roles while we were innocently playing, which emerged as a love for playing the role of a director and creating my own theatre from mere imagination.

Mohannad Bshiwa

Pilot and fitness trainer

My family always wanted me to become a pilot. Now, after living six years abroad to make their dream come true, I'm "the pilot who doesn't fly."

Mousa Alshibli

Journalist and civil activist

Geography never stopped me from being an active and responsible citizen.

Magda El Kateb

Head of the People with Disabilities Unit, High Electoral Commission

I was born with a defect in my spine and, although I was living life normally, I decided to have surgery in Germany at the age of seventeen to avoid any complications in the future.

Nourhan Abdelhak

Journalist and poet from Derna

I was twenty, divorced and caring for a special needs child. Here I realized that I was no longer an ordinary high school girl.

Muhammad al-Tabal

Journalism student, University of Tripoli

Never in my life did I imagine that my motivation to achieve my dream would be cancer. Sometimes, the truth is bitter; but how beautiful it is when you change what is bitter into something sweet.

Lamia Elbadri

Children's rights activist

Concerning my childhood, I was born into a family that was torn apart. My parents were separated, and this separation caused many conflicts.

Doaa Faraj bin Saud

Journalist, graduate of Mass Communication

2014 was a “separating year” in my life due to the death of my father from a fire in our house and then, not two months later, my older brother, Tawfiq Marafiqah, was assassinated.

Mohammed Al-Bawendi

Blogger

I used social media for entertainment and to share my diary with friends like everyone else until I began to notice that this virtual world has become a place full of opportunities…