Abu Abdo used to work as a farmer in the countryside around Idlib. Since he and his family fled to one of Syria’s many camps, he has been unable to find work.
“We fled from the explosions,” he said. “We suffered on our way to the camp. Alhamdulillah for everything.”
“We are missing a lot of things, especially electricity. I had an accident here, my daughter and I got burnt. There was no gas, fuel oil or electricity so we had to make fire from tree twigs and branches to keep us warm in this cold and dreadful weather. Unfortunately the tent caught fire and my daughter and I got badly burnt.
“Alhamdulillah for everything. I am the one who put out the fire. It burnt my daughter’s face. I quickly carried her out of the tent and burnt my hands in the process. I took my daughter to the hospital. Now my daughter has scars on her face.”
Dreaming of home
In the camp and without an income, Abu Abdo struggles to find even the most basic things needed by the family. It is a stark contrast to their previous situation, and at Ramadan thoughts of all he has lost cut even deeper.
“Our biggest needs are for mattresses, blankets, clothes, sponges and food. We wish we could return to our home, to go back to work and to see our families and friends again.
“There is a huge difference between our lives here in the camp and our lives in our home. Before the conflict I used to work as a farmer on my own land, but now I can’t find work. Where can I work?
“I don’t have any money for my children at Eid. My family used to gather together for Eid but now I don’t know where my brothers and sisters are. I haven’t seen or heard from them in the past four years. I know nothing about my hometown. I can’t even go there.”
This blessed month, you can ease hardship for families like Abu Abdo’s – in Syria and around the world. Reach out at Ramadan: donate now.
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