Sabah Al Hamidi, a 30-year-old Syrian refugee mother, fled from war to Lebanon 7 years ago with her severely burnt little daughter. The young baby Maha was burnt during some military incursions in their village. The mother has sacrificed her social life for her daughter, who now fears the public and feels ashamed of her burnt face.
Sabah had dreams and ambitions years ago, but they were all shattered with her house and village back in Syria. Sabah was encouraged by her neighbours to join the trauma healing sessions to regain her social life again. These sessions are part of the “She Matters: Trauma Healing with Life-skills and Agricultural Training for Syrian Refugee and Lebanese Women in Baalbeck-Hermel 2” project that aims at providing trauma healing and agriculture sessions for 100 Lebanese and Syrian women at LOST’s Community Farm, in partnership with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). It was a big challenge for Sabah to attend these sessions, especially that her six-year-old daughter Maha is very attached to her. The coaches were very aware of the situation and in fact, they encouraged Sabah to bring her daughter to the “safe place” at the community farm so the little girl can have some fun and make new friends as her mother attends the sessions.
A few weeks into the cycle, the little survivor actually began to like it, accompanying her mom to the community farm, and the mother started to experience life once again.
“At some point, I felt that I can’t motivate nor cheer my daughter up because I couldn’t do so with my own self. The sessions have changed my life. I began to see hope and feel strength beyond all the sorrow and sufferings I went through. I have made new friends here, strong women who also showed support and empathy. And now that I perceive everything differently, I am working on this with my daughter, giving her hope, support, and motivation”, said Sabah.
Sabah and her young daughter are among many participants who have greatly benefitted from the trauma healing sessions, in hopes for a brighter future.
