Maryam Moftah

Living in Libya teaches us to pave our path. I too paved mine and as I reached my destination, I was led to the most important milestone in my life.

My name is Maryam Moftah, and I work in health management and development.

I wanted to be a dentist since I was a child. It drove my imagination further. I moved away from my home in Sebha to graduate and achieve my goals, not knowing that within me was a hidden passion for a greater goal.

In 2023, I started humanitarian work. At first, it seemed like a fleeting experience, but it quickly turned into a passion I now live daily. I worked on more than 65 projects with influential figures in my community, and over 20 projects in five municipalities. Every task ignited a new zest within me like the very first time. My role in organizing projects in Sabha became my source of pride.

Out of all my missions, the most moving remains the one in 2023 when I was assigned to help people displaced by war in the south. Hesitant at first, but I went ahead and helped over 300 people overcome the ordeal. I saw the pain in their eyes and felt it with tears and a heartache, realizing the true meaning of humanitarian work.

I always had the strong support of my family and friends, despite the conservative approach toward women working in such fields in Sebha, and their support gave me the strength to continue, to overcome my fear, prove myself, and contribute to bringing change within my community.

Despite the many challenges, the most difficult was devoting full time to this cause, to the point where I felt I was shifting from my original dream. However, I did organize my time within the two fields. I worked in health management; it worked as a convergence between my academic specialization and my skills. That's when I felt my true contribution to improving the quality of medical services in my country.

In conclusion, I would say that I devotedly welcome any humanitarian mission, and I eagerly await Libya’s stability to work hand in hand on social initiatives, volunteering, and social work. Our country needs our efforts to rise again.