OGA Voices is a dedicated space to amplify the wisdom and lived experiences of grassroots changemakers from the Global Majority. By centering stories of resilience, decolonization, and regenerative agriculture, we bridge the gap between local action and global solidarity.
In this edition of OGA Voices, we share a powerful narrative of architectural innovation turned into a lifeline for survival. Suzan and Qamar Attallah are not just entrepreneurs; they are visionaries who saw the gray rooftops of a besieged city as a canvas for green defiance. Their journey reminds us that even when the soil is under threat, the act of planting remains a profound political and ecological statement.
By: Suzan and Qamar Attallah
We are the sisters Suzan and Qamar Attallah.
Suzan founded Veranda Green Solutions immediately after graduating with a degree in Architecture, believing that design can create real change in people’s lives.
At the time, I was studying Technology Management and working alongside her while completing her degree. We were united by the belief that agriculture is not a luxury, but a necessity and that green spaces can be a form of resistance through life.
The Birth of Veranda Green Solutions
In 2013, Veranda Green Solutionswas officially launched after our idea won first place for Best Business Plan at the Business Incubator of the Islamic University – BTI. We began with a simple yet bold idea: transforming rooftops into productive gardens using recycled materials as a practical solution to enhance food security in Gaza.
The idea grew with us. Our work expanded into sustainable agriculture and environmental design, and we opened our office and formally registered our company in Gaza.
Over the course of ten years, we implemented dozens of community projects and initiatives in partnership with local and international organizations. We consistently worked to create safe green spaces, strengthen food security, and develop sustainable environmental solutions to serve our community.
October 7: A Turning Point
Then came October 7, 2023. We were in Egypt on a short work trip, not knowing it would become a turning point in our lives. Suddenly, we found ourselves stranded outside Gaza — alone, without work, without income, and without any plan. At the same time, our families in Gaza were under bombardment, facing fear, hunger, and continuous displacement.
We lived through heavy days of anxiety and helplessness. We followed the news with trembling hearts, trying to reach our loved ones, while losing members of our family, friends, and part of our team. We watched from afar as the projects we had built with years of effort were destroyed, and the green spaces we created were reduced to rubble.
Survival and Responsibility
Life in Egypt was not easy. We struggled to secure our daily needs and faced immense psychological pressure — torn between fear for our families and the need to remain strong in order to survive. We lost our source of income, our stability, and found ourselves starting from zero.
We became stuck outside Gaza. We were unable to return, unable to move to a safe country, and unable to obtain residency, legal documentation, or any form of legal or economic stability. We have lived in a prolonged state of uncertainty, with no clear horizon, while our hearts remain tied to our families who continue to suffer the consequences of war.
Planting Hope for the Future
Yet amid this pain, one question followed us: How can we remain faithful to the idea we started? Although we are still searching for a safe place to settle and striving to find work opportunities that allow us to live with dignity and rebuild our lives, we realized that hope is not a luxury — it is a responsibility.
If we once believed that agriculture is an act of life, then we must hold onto it now more than ever. We began investing our time in learning and growth, enrolling in courses on sustainable agriculture and soil restoration, and rethinking our role in the coming phase of recovery. Despite displacement and instability, we resumed supporting Gaza through small initiatives promoting home gardening, distributing edible plants, and developing preliminary plans for rehabilitating soil and water when conditions allow.
Our Vision for Recovery
Today, we are working to plan on a broader scale:
- projects that create jobs,
- strengthen food security,
- and provide our community with the tools to stand again.
Veranda was never just a company. It was a shared dream between two sisters. It was a space of hope in a besieged city. And today, despite loss, displacement, and the ongoing search for stability, we still believe that what is planted with love… can grow again.
Why Their Journey Inspires Us
Suzan and Qamar are an inspiring example of the OGA spirit. Their journey from creating urban oases in Gaza to navigating displacement with unwavering dignity is a profound testament to eco-social entrepreneurship. They remind us that the work of healing the land is inseparable from the work of healing our communities. Their commitment to mutual aid and sovereignty even in times of personal crisis is a guiding light for our growing global network.
How OGA is Supporting the Journey
At OGA, we believe that solidarity is a verb. Suzan and Qamar’s presence is vital, and we are committed to walking alongside them as they navigate their new reality. Through our Language for Justice (LFJ) initiative, we are currently supporting them with language classes to facilitate their integration and professional autonomy.
We aren’t just telling their story; we are rooting for their flourishing in every sense of the word.
Support Their Voice & Join the Effort
As part of the OGA community, your solidarity translates into tangible action for regeneration and justice.
- Support their Journey: Contribute directly to Suzan and Qamar’s mission via their Chuffed Campaign.
- Learn more about their history of service in Gaza: https://verandadesign.org/
- Connect with the Movement: If you are inspired by Suzan and Qamar’s story and would like to support our efforts — or if you want to collaborate on similar initiatives — please reach out to us at info@ogaweb.org. We are stronger when we grow together.
