Zain and Ali were both born deaf. They need hearing aids to communicate with others, but living in a war-torn country has deprived them of all their basic rights, including the right to a dignified life. Their family resides in a poor neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria.

Tragedy struck when their younger brother was fatally shot while playing with friends. The devastating loss caused their father, a 53-year-old man, to suffer a stroke, forcing him to leave his job.

In the absence of their father’s income, the family’s 15-year-old son was compelled to work at a young age to support his mother, who had to take a job at a public hospital just to cover their daily needs. 

Their work was far from easy—while some people looked at them with pity, others ignored them entirely. Many exploited the family’s vulnerable situation, forcing them to work long hours for meager wages.

Their mother shares: “My children spent their childhood reading lips. I could never afford hearing aids for them due to their high cost, especially since my priority has always been to provide them with food. Even that is impossible.”    

Despite their struggles, she remains resilient. “But love,” she says, “does not need eyes or ears, nor does it require a tongue or lips to express itself. The heart can fully take on the task of conveying emotions.” 

Sadly, stories like Zain and Ali’s are commonplace in Syria – war in the region has had a devastating domino effect on the lives of ordinary people.

Displacement and refugees from Palestine and Lebanon places cities and towns under further strain and families suffer the consequences of war and terror.

This Lent, you can help alleviate the struggle of families with food aid to support daily meals.  Children like Zain and Ali shouldn’t have to lose their childhoods but for so many, survival must take over from play and school.

Today, you can do something amazing and support families in need of a helping hand.

Help families in crisis & donate.

Photo Credit: JRS MENA