In the Words of Nisrine Maatouk: “The war took a lot from us, but not our hope in life”

Nisrine Maatouk, 48, originally from Sir El Gharbiyeh in the Nabatieh District of southern Lebanon, now lives in Ghobeiry, Mount Lebanon.  A divorced mother of two and a person with hearing impairment, Nisrine has faced many challenges, yet her spirit remains unbroken. When conflict escalated in Lebanon in 2024[1], she seized the opportunity to make a difference by joining the Access Kitchen initiative in Beirut.

_{Nisrine Maatouk found strength and hope by supporting her community through the Access Kitchen. Photo: UN Women / Lauren Rooney}

“When the war started, I had to flee my home in Ghobeiry with my children and take refuge with relatives in Hamra. I was overwhelmed with fear, sadness, and the constant, exhausting thought that I might lose my children. I felt like I was trapped in a cage. 

But even though the war took so much from us, it didn’t take away our hope in life.

In October 2024, I joined the Access Kitchen team. It was one of the best things that happened to me during that dark period. I found joy, strength, and support. I draw happiness from working with others, building friendships, and helping people -and that’s exactly what I found here.

I’ve always loved cooking. I used to prepare food for restaurants and cooperatives, but at Access Kitchen I learned new recipes.  I particularly enjoyed making pizza! I also loved seeing people enjoy the meals we made.

More than anything, I found new friends. The most beautiful part of this experience was the team spirit -how everyone supports one another, how we complete each other.

Right now, I’m working at a hotel in Beirut. It’s not in the kitchen, which is what I love most, but it helps me stay on my feet until I find something I’m more passionate about. I can’t afford to stay at home. I’ve carried the responsibility of raising my children since they were babies- I have no one to rely on but myself.

_{At the Access Kitchen in Beirut, Nisrine helped prepare thousands of meals for vulnerable communities during Lebanon’s crisis. Photo: UN Women / Lauren Rooney}

I love working, not just because I need to, but because it connects me with people. I love being around others.

I grew up with a disability. When I was around six years old, I had a fever that caused me to lose my hearing and, eventually, affected my speech. It changed everything. I couldn’t continue my education, and finding work became much more difficult. But despite that, I’ve always had a strong will and a deep love for life.

Living with a disability isn’t easy. It makes everything more challenging - communicating, finding work, supporting my children in their education, even managing the smallest daily tasks. But I’ve adapted. I focus on my strengths instead of dwelling on what I can’t do.

I invite everyone to find strength and happiness in the joy of friendship. There is nothing more beautiful, and nothing that makes you stronger than having friends who care, support, and love you.

I’m proud of the life I’ve built, and of my children, one of them is about to graduate from university. I may face many obstacles, but I’ve never let them define me”.

The Access Kitchen, operating under the project entitled “Women’s Economic Empowerment through Leadership, Empowerment, Access and Protection (LEAP)” and implemented by UN Women in partnership with the Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD) with generous support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, employs 20 women, including Nisrine, in its Beirut-based community kitchen. This initiative not only serves hot meals to underserved communities but also advances women’s participation in the labor market, addresses emerging socio-economic needs, and reduces food insecurity, particularly among marginalized women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. Amid Lebanon’s multi-layered crisis, the kitchen became a lifeline for the city, serving approximately 7,250 meals during that period, and showcasing the critical role women like Nisrine play in emergency response, livelihoods, and fostering community cohesion.