Ahmad’s story

Ahmad, his wife and his eight children had been living in a displacement camp for 40 days when our partner in Syria first met them.

Like most families in the camp, they had to leave their home in Northern Syria because of the conflict. Bombs and shelling had left their neighbourhood in ruins.

The journey to the camp wasn’t easy. After fleeing their home with nothing, they found refuge in a nearby village. 

But thanks to more shelling, within a week they had to move again – this time hiding in a forest. Taking cover under the trees, the family lay in the dark unable to sleep from the noise of the bombing, the rain and the cold.

Finally, Ahmad and his family made it to the displacement camp. There, they received a tent constructed of old tarpaulins and blankets roughly secured with a piece of rope.

Although they were grateful for what they received, the flimsy shelter couldn’t protect them from the rain and cold. Moreover, they had no food other than bread and olives.

Working in partnership with ReliefAid, we provided Ahmad with the tools he needed to start the process of recovery.

With insulation materials, mattresses, blankets, cooking sets and solar lights, the family can protect themselves from the bitter cold and start to pick up the threads of everyday life.

Recovery doesn’t happen overnight. 

However, the sooner that life starts to resemble normality, the sooner life regains its normal rhythm. And that doesn’t only include physical shelter, but  kitchen utensils that help provide regular family meals, and solar lights that shine through the darkness.