Eman (name changed) has always been someone others would describe as a “strong personality”. The 28-year old loves to volunteer and do her share to contribute to the wellbeing of her community.
When the war in Syria started in 2011, she was only nineteen years old. She had just graduated from high school. Many of her friends had to flee, others got married. Eman, however, dreamt of going to university and becoming a teacher. “It was very challenging but seeing the dire situation of most people in my country was what kept me going. I felt I had to do something for my community.”
While studying, Eman, her fiancé and a group of friends started an initiative to teach children who dropped out of school. They were able to reach 650 children aged 5 to 11. They taught Arabic, mathematics, science and whatever subjects were in demand. “This work made me very happy and I felt that I was serving my country when it was most needed. But everything changed in February 2018.”
The 26th of February is a day Eman will never forget. “There were intense airstrikes, but I was determined to go to work. We did not want the war to continue to disrupt our plans, never knowing what would happen next. My fiancé and I were going to our weekly meeting when an airstrike hit the house next to where we were walking. In less than a second my fiancé died, and I was severely injured. My leg was amputated, and I had several injuries in my hands and stomach,” Eman recalls with sorrow in her voice. “I still cannot believe that he is dead. Sometimes I wish it was me instead of him.”
Together with her mother, siblings and sister in law, she fled her hometown after another airstrike hit their house, completely destroying it. “It was very difficult to leave my home, the place where I was born, raised and have made so many good memories.”
They found refuge in another village in Syria. “I hated feeling helpless, so I started looking for a job. Most people did not understand why I was doing this, telling me to stay at home. They said that a woman’s place is in the house, especially if she has a disability like myself. I ignored their words.” Eman did not give up and found a job. She is now working for a local organization as a project assistant. The organization distributes food and trains women and youths to help them cope with war, poverty and displacement. She mostly works in administration and finance, as it is hard for her to move too much from one place to the other.
“I was determined to show people that my disability does not have to stop me from doing what I love. Yes, I am displaced, and my leg was amputated, but I will continue to dream of a better world and work towards achieving my goals.”
More than eight and a half years of war in Syria have severely impacted people’s life. Countless civilians have been killed and injured as direct result of hostilities, with over 45% of the injured will have to live with a disability for the rest of their lives.
