we are not numbers
emerging writers from Palestine tell their stories and advocate for their human rights
The first tasks for Islam Albarbari and Aseel Zeineddin is to launch training for WANN’s incoming cohort of writers.
WANN project assistant Aseel Zeineddin and project coordinator Islam Albarbari
We Are Not Numbers has hired Islam Albarbari as the organization’s Gaza-based project coordinator and Aseel Zeineddin as project assistant. The two-person team will implement the relaunch of Gaza-based project activities.
Ahmed Dremly, who had been hired as project coordinator in February 2026, resigned when he was able to fulfill a longstanding dream to attend a master’s program in Italy. During his tenure, Dremly helped select the new cohort of 41 emerging writers, identify office space, plan training activities, and streamline the payment system for writers.
The Gaza office is funded by a grant from The Human Rights Fund.
Albarbari stayed in north Gaza throughout the genocide. He is an experienced English translator, trainer, storyteller, and cultural advocate. He holds a B.Sc. in English language and translation, having graduated with honors from Gaza University.
His work with various organizations, including the Towards Hope and Peace Association and Al Dameer for Human Rights Association, have enabled him to build skills in cross-cultural communication, media leadership, and translation.
“My passion is to bridge cultural gaps, mentor youth, and manage civil society partnerships through language and effective communication,” he says.
Zeineddin has been a WANNer since June 2022. She obtained a law degree from Al-Azhar University, Gaza, and has more than five years of experience advocating for the rights of young Palestinians. She has traveled to represent Palestinian youth, both locally in the West Bank and internationally to Europe.
She has been writing stories and reciting poetry since childhood, in both Arabic and English. Her first story in English, “Interrupted Graduation,” is included in the book, WE ARE NOT NUMBERS: The Voices of Gaza’s Youth. Her Arabic poem, “In My City,” was published in Some of Love and Life magazine, by the Qattan Centre for the Child in 2016.
“I stand for justice, freedom and equal human rights for everyone, and I dedicate my work to these causes,” she says.
Ablarbari and Zeineddin sit in front of a mural of Dr. Refaat Alareer, who was an inspiration behind the launch of We Are Not Numbers and who provided trainings to all previous cohorts. Dr. Alareer was martyred in December 2023.
