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This taxi driver is no ordinary one
He's an inventor who has changed the lives of people with special needs in the Gaza Strip
Munther Al-Qasas, is known as the "Driver of the Line" to local residents
He patented his first invention at the Palestinian trademark office
At the Gaza Ministry of the Economy
The device assists people without the use of hands and arms to read
It was patented as "Zayed"
It is the first device of its kind
It wirelessly flips the pages of books and helps disabled people read
It is controlled by head movements
so you do not need the use of arms or hands
to turn all of the pages
I registered it with the ministry; its number is 78
Necessity is the mother of invention, says Mundhar
And while he never completed his studies
Using creativity, he adapts his ideas
to help those with special needs
He has designed several other items
All of which use head movement to control everyday devices
like computers, television controls, and wheelchairs
all, based on the needs of friends and neighbors
With differing levels movement ability
All of it funded with what he makes from the taxi
I funded all of the projects myself
from what I make as a taxi driver
Everyone from the societies, they all know me
Those in the private sector, political figures in civil society groups and charities
They have seen me at exhibitions throughout Gaza
but thanks be to god I've been able to support myself
without any contributions from charities or other groups
I continue to do it because it is important
The equipment Mundhar has invented brings smiles and hope to dozens in Gaza with special needs
It is particularly useful for paraplegics and quadriplegics
or for those who do not have the use of their hands
His work makes their lives better
and helps integrate them into society
by facilitating activities like reading,
surfing the web, and changing the television station
I never thought I would understand computers
but my life changed when I met Mundhar
He was the one who told me that I could use a computer
Really, I used to think my life was over
When I met Mundhar, really truly my life changed
It was as if he made a whole new life for me
The first time I saw Mundhar, he fixed my char
Then he invented equipment which let me use the computer
He did the whole thing in a week
Exactly a week, after seven days he called me and said he had a machine for the computer
I didn't believe it, I didn't think it was possible.
I really could not think it real
Then when Mundhar brought the device, I was happy, I was so so happy
The first invention Mundhar completed for me
was a device that could change television channels
I moved the stick left and right to change them
Then later he came and fixed it so I could adjust the volume up and down
just by moving the stick up and down here
Then he upgraded the device totally, it changes the volume more easily than before
We all hope he can continue to upgrade these equipments for patents like us
Mundhar, who has been awarded recognition for many of his inventions
is ambitious, he wants to bring his devices
outside of this map of Gaza
to be able to participate in Arab and international conferences
He hopes to support himself by manufacturing the devices
I hope to share these ideas with the world
with the West Bank, with other Palestinians
I want these inventions to reach the West Bank
the dearest part of Palestine
but I cannot reach it because of the siege
Many people need these inventions
and I want to show the world what there is here in Gaza
That we can make these devices
I want to show them how much we can do
In this place, a taxi driver was able to change the lives
of many people with special needs
He wants to push forward and continue creating
the inventions with more skill than before
Now, Muthdar is searching for hope so he can continue his career
This is Ibrahim Qanan, with the program This is Our Country, in Gaza