Maryam, 16, finds solace in Abdullah al-Ghafri's art space in Gaza

In the midst of ongoing conflict in Gaza, 16-year-old Maryam finds solace in an art space located at a beach cafe in Deir el-Balah. Following the destruction of her family home in January 2024, she has sought refuge in drawing, using it as a means to escape the harsh realities of her life. The ongoing war, which has claimed over 73,000 Palestinian lives since October 2023, has deeply affected Maryam, who has lost family and friends to the violence.

Maryam began attending the art space in April, shortly after it was established by 35-year-old Abdullah al-Ghafri. With many cultural and educational centers destroyed, al-Ghafri created this refuge to help children like Maryam express their emotions and cope with trauma. “The main goal is to lift the participants out of the atmosphere of war and destruction,” he explains. The space allows young people to channel their negative experiences into creativity, fostering hope and resilience amid despair.

For Maryam, each drawing represents a small victory over her circumstances. “Every drawing makes me feel that I have managed to describe a part of what I feel and convey it to people,” she says. This artistic outlet has not only provided her with psychological relief but also instilled a renewed sense of purpose. She credits her daily drawing practice with keeping her spirits up and preventing her from succumbing to depression during these challenging times.

Psychologist Asil Abu Shawish emphasizes the importance of art in healing. She notes that creative activities enable children to articulate their feelings during traumatic experiences. As the war continues, spaces like al-Ghafri’s art center become vital lifelines for Gaza’s youth, offering them a chance to reclaim their voices and foster a sense of community amidst the chaos.