we are not numbers

emerging writers from Palestine tell their stories and advocate for their human rights

MennatAllah Marwan Shaat

Gaza Strip

MennatAllah Marwan Shaat is studying for her Tawjihi. She participated in youth and community programs at the Palestinian Center and she cares deeply about volunteering.

“I love reading and writing,” she says. “I really believe words can change a lot.”

“With everything happening around me, I still have hope. I believe in tomorrow, in the power of writing and in the sea. They remind me that even if I’m tired, I still have something inside me to keep trying.”

Current as of September 2025