Occupied palestinian territory

Feda'a works for Al Aqsa Sports Club, ActionAid's partner in the Middle Area of the Gaza Strip in the occupied Palestinian territory. Working so closely with children and the local community, and as a mother of seven herself, she has seen first hand the physical and psychological impacts of war in Gaza on the very young. She describes the difficulties that girls in particular are facing right now, and how ActionAid's work is making a crucial difference.

20-year-old Athar is studying English Literature at university, loves WhatsApp, chocolate ice cream and going for dinner with her family. So far, so familiar. But because Athar lives in Gaza, this intelligent young woman has survived unimaginable hardship and trauma. Her home was bombed during the 2014 war – she and her sister were injured, and her father was killed.

Athar is keen to share her story, so more people know what is happening in Gaza. Read extracts from my WhatsApp chat with her to gain unique insight into what it’s like growing up as a girl in Gaza, and be inspired by her amazing approach to life.

Actress Miriam Margolyes has supported ActionAid for over 30 years. She visited our work in the occupied Palestinian territory and has seen first-hand the impact child sponsorship makes.

Athar, 20, lives in Gaza and is now studying at university, but in 2014 her life changed dramatically as a result of the war. Here she shares her personal account of what happened to her, and explains the strength it takes to survive in Gaza. ActionAid UK's #NoGirlAfraid Christmas appeal is supporting girls at risk in the world’s toughest places, because a life free from fear is every girl's right. Athar is happy to tell her story and says that this is the first time she has shared this with others.

Although Gaza's last war ended in 2014, millions of people are living under a blockade and tensions between communities in the occupied Palestinian territory still run high. Young children are especially at risk - living in fear, in the shadow of ever-present violence. Here nine-year-old Suzjoud describes being attacked on her way to collect water near her home, and how ActionAid's first aid training became a lifeline for her family.

Exposed to dead bodies, witness to acts of violence - or even attacked themselves - children living in conflict often develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In the occupied Palestinian territory, ActionAid is providing psychosocial support to help children and their families recover from the damaging effects of trauma.