Sketches of Survival: Malak

 At 23 years old, Malak is the eldest of six sisters, carrying the weight of responsibility for her family of eight in the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp. She is a graphic designer, digital artist, and animator with a degree in Business Administration, but beyond her titles, she is a young woman who turned her childhood passion for drawing into both a career and a lifeline.

“Drawing has always been my escape,” she says. “Even in school, I joined art competitions across Gaza. I won first place many times. Over the years, I realized art wasn’t just something I loved, it was part of who I am.”

When the war began, everything changed. Internet blackouts and power cuts made it impossible to continue her work. She lost her jobs and, for months, was left with nothing but uncertainty. “My work depends on electricity and internet. Without them, I had no income. But I couldn’t give up, my family depends on me.”

When eSIMs finally became available, Malak built a small workspace on her rooftop. The signal was weak, but she forced herself to adapt. She took freelance projects despite endless outages, often carrying a 20-kilogram battery each morning just to keep her laptop alive. “It was exhausting, but I had no other choice. I had to keep going.”

Her most painful moment came when her family was forced to flee their home. They sought shelter in Deir al-Balah, but the house next door was bombed. “Just when I thought I could breathe again, everything collapsed around me. I had to start over from nothing. That broke me. But I couldn’t let my sisters see me give up.”

In the face of loss and fear, Malak found herself turning back to art, not just as work, but as a way to speak. She began drawing scenes from Gaza and posting them online. “People around the world started seeing what was happening through my illustrations. Their support gave me hope. It made me realize I have a responsibility to use my art to tell our story.”

Art, for Malak, became both resistance and survival. “Every drawing, every illustration, is an act of truth. It’s how I fight back. It’s how I show the world what we live through every day.”

But the struggle is relentless. Food is scarce. Prices are high. And as the main provider for her family, Malak works nonstop in multiple fields to make ends meet. “It’s not just about my art. I have to keep my family alive. That’s my duty.”

Her role as the eldest sister goes beyond providing. One of her younger siblings suffers from post-traumatic stress, and Malak feels the need to stay calm and strong for them all. “I can’t collapse. I have to show them there’s still light in this darkness.”

To the women of Gaza and beyond, Malak’s message is clear: “Stay strong for yourself first. Your voice matters. Your existence matters. Never think you are invisible. Every small act you do makes a difference.”

And to the world, she adds: “Do not forget Gaza. This is not just a Palestinian issue, it’s a human one. We deserve life, like every other people on earth. Carry our voices with you. Help us be seen and remembered.”