Published : 07-01-2019
More than 2,300 Palestine refugees with disabilities in Syria have had their lives marred by the unabated warfare and bloody strife rocking the Syrian territories.
“I spent my childhood confined to bed, ill and depressed. When people visited us, I felt shy to meet them. I was unable to walk until 1st grade. My mum used to carry me to school,” said Gharam Ghazi, a 33 year-old woman suffering from congenital hip dysplasia and dwarfism.
In 2011, she was displaced to Deraa by the conflict in Syria. This brought her into contact with Fatima Ali, a vivacious social worker at the UNRWA Community Based Centre in Deraa.
“My life has completely changed since I met her,” said Gharam. “Before, I always felt shy and kept my head down. I was bashful to walk in public,” she explained. “But as Fatima coached me, my confidence grew.”
Gharam attended trainings about the inclusion of persons with disabilities, as well as recreational sessions organized by UNRWA. The Agency also helped her find a stable job. Last year, in 2017, Fatima told Gharam that the Ministry of Education was looking to hire people with disabilities. Gharam seemed like a perfect candidate, but there was one problem: the job required applicants to have completed their 9th grade education. Gharam had dropped out of school after the 8th grade.
Fatima intervened on her behalf to lower the requirements and helped Gharam with the application process. “I got the position and am now a messenger!” said Gharam. “This has given me the feeling of independence. I feel stronger and more comfortable in my own skin. My colleagues chat with me and I am always laughing with them. It’s like I am a new person!”
Assistance to the most vulnerable Palestinian refugees, including persons with disabilities, is provided by donors like the European Union. The European Commission's civil protection and humanitarian aid department (ECHO) has funded assistance to those with disabilities, as well as female-headed households.
More than 2,300 Palestine refugees with disabilities in Syria have had their lives marred by the unabated warfare and bloody strife rocking the Syrian territories.
“I spent my childhood confined to bed, ill and depressed. When people visited us, I felt shy to meet them. I was unable to walk until 1st grade. My mum used to carry me to school,” said Gharam Ghazi, a 33 year-old woman suffering from congenital hip dysplasia and dwarfism.
In 2011, she was displaced to Deraa by the conflict in Syria. This brought her into contact with Fatima Ali, a vivacious social worker at the UNRWA Community Based Centre in Deraa.
“My life has completely changed since I met her,” said Gharam. “Before, I always felt shy and kept my head down. I was bashful to walk in public,” she explained. “But as Fatima coached me, my confidence grew.”
Gharam attended trainings about the inclusion of persons with disabilities, as well as recreational sessions organized by UNRWA. The Agency also helped her find a stable job. Last year, in 2017, Fatima told Gharam that the Ministry of Education was looking to hire people with disabilities. Gharam seemed like a perfect candidate, but there was one problem: the job required applicants to have completed their 9th grade education. Gharam had dropped out of school after the 8th grade.
Fatima intervened on her behalf to lower the requirements and helped Gharam with the application process. “I got the position and am now a messenger!” said Gharam. “This has given me the feeling of independence. I feel stronger and more comfortable in my own skin. My colleagues chat with me and I am always laughing with them. It’s like I am a new person!”
Assistance to the most vulnerable Palestinian refugees, including persons with disabilities, is provided by donors like the European Union. The European Commission's civil protection and humanitarian aid department (ECHO) has funded assistance to those with disabilities, as well as female-headed households.
