On the roof of his home in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip Tayseer Abu Dan is working to transform this roof into a green oasis full of seedlings and plants.
Abu Dan 65 climbs on a wooden ladder to the roof of his asbestos house in the early morning. Abu Dan pursues his hobby of planting seedlings and crops. This hobby over time has become a profession that earns him a living to counter the poor living conditions resulting from the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip for nearly 14 years.
Abu Dan uses the roof of his house which is covered with asbestos to plant various seasonal seedlings. The roof area is almost 120 square meters.
He grows several varieties of crops. These crops are providing minor profits that enable him to support his family of more than 15 members.
The farmer Abu Dan grows varieties of crops such as radishes beans cauliflower tomatoes potatoes eggplant garlic parsley cabbage onions peas watermelon melon chili peppers and sweet peppers.
He said that he practiced agriculture since he was thirteen acquiring this profession from his widowed mother. His mother was growing plants to earn a living for her children.
Abu Dan began planting seedlings and ornamental trees in 2005 but he replaced them with various types of vegetables because they pay him a greater material benefit with less effort and time.
He points out that he does not use chemicals while planting rather he relies on healthy and harmless organic materials.
The farmer explained that he is cultivating on the roof of his house because he does not have land. The limited livelihood choices in the Gaza Strip made him change the roof of his house into a farm despite the dangers that this work may result in.
“During the year I grow two seasons; one in winter and the other in summer. We eat some of these products and we sell the rest” he added.
