Illustration: UN Women/Lauren Rooney
Khadija Ali Youssef, 57, is from the village of Blida in southern Lebanon. When the conflict erupted in September 2024, her home was completely destroyed, and her husband lost his livelihood. Forced to flee, she and her young son sought refuge in Tyre Vocational Center, which has been converted into temporary accommodation for displaced families.
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Conditions are challenging, with limited privacy and no heating or cooling, and the family now relies on humanitarian assistance. Despite these hardships, her resilience shines through, Khadija has found a renewed sense of purpose through INITIATE’s Cash-for-Work Program.
“My name is Khadija, and before the war, I had a home, a routine, and a sense of security. Now, I share a classroom-turned-shelter with my family. The days can be long and heavy. I’ve struggled to keep my son’s education going—his school was destroyed, and now he studies online in these difficult conditions.
Everything changed when I joined the Cash-for-Work agriculture team. For 30 days, I worked as a farmer— planting and harvesting lettuce, cabbage, and onions, and learning new techniques like planting herbs alongside vegetables to make better use of space. I watered the crops and used charcoal and straw to help them grow stronger. I also gained skills in producing seedlings, preparing compost and fertilizers, and applying agricultural solutions.
But it wasn’t just about farming. I discovered the value of psychosocial support activities—breathing exercises, balance training, and stress-release techniques that help me cope with unwanted feelings. My favorite part of the day is when I finish planting and move to these activities. They make me feel productive, happy, and surrounded by supportive people.
This work gives me strength. It reminds me that I’m not alone—that even in these dark times, I am part of a community that cares. My colleagues have become like a second family to me. We help each other, share our burdens, and find moments of laughter in the middle of it all.
Still, my heart longs for home. I dream every day of returning to my village, of rebuilding our house, of watching my son grow up in a place that feels safe and familiar. I cling on to this dream. It keeps me going.
This program has helped me hold on to my dignity—and to hope. Even in displacement, I have found strength in the soil beneath my feet and in the hands of those who work beside me.”
Khadija is among 214 women engaged in a humanitarian Cash-for-Work initiative led by INITIATE in Tyre, in partnership with UN Women and the Union of Tyre Municipalities, with the technical support of Agrimovement, and with generous support from the Republic of Korea. As part of the agricultural team, Khadija contributes to a wider effort that addresses both the economic needs of displaced women and the food insecurity affecting vulnerable communities. The initiative combines livelihood support with psychosocial protection, offering women like Khadija the opportunity to earn income, rebuild their routines, and regain a sense of stability. The crops harvested help supply community kitchens that prepare warm, nutritious meals for internally displaced families living in schools and other in formal shelters—turning collective effort into daily acts of care and resilience.
