In a small, simple house in Bethlehem lives 39-year-old mother, Etimad, and her five children, Hanan (14), Mahmoud (11), twins Saed and Karam (10), and Layla (3).
The stability of the family was shaken when the children’s father became unable to work due to severe illness. This created significant financial and psychological pressure.
Etimad faced these head on to provide for her family. But it was challenging.
Developing her inner strength
Etimad began participating in guidance sessions. Organised by the SOS Children’s Villages in Bethlehem, the sessions helped her gain more insight into her feelings, their types, and how to express them safely.
Etimad consistently participated in all sessions, excited and determined for positive change. She even reached a point where she was able to voice her repressed feelings of fear and worry, mainly for the future of her children. As well as this, she also highlighted how happiness, love, and hope were driving her towards her children’s success.
She said: “It’s not easy to express my emotions. I did not expect to speak this freely about them.”
She started to see life from a new perspective, becoming more capable of handling stress. In turn, this increased her confidence and self-esteem.
Etimad realised the effect of positive thinking on her life, which improved her relationship with her husband and children, and has led to a greater bond between them.
Capturing their potential
Her children also participated in guidance and awareness sessions at the Village. These aimed to provide them with psychological and social support. They addressed important topics such as safe emotional expression, how to build self-esteem, and taught them the concept of a ‘safe space’.
The sessions used interactive and creative methods — like play, drawing, and music — to help the children. These sessions helped them build self-expression skills and deepened their understanding of their rights, as well as protection mechanisms.
Mahmoud said: “Our lives have changed for the better after these workshops. We now enjoy going to school because the Village provides us with clothes and food. Most importantly, these workshops have improved my mother’s mood. I thank SOS Children’s Villages.”
Bringing her vision to life
Continuing to work with Etimad to make positive change in her life, we supported her decision to register for professional training in photography and montage. Something she had always dreamt of.
Through this opportunity, Etimad is more confident that she’ll be able to support her family and help them achieve what they dream of too.
Etimad says, “I’m optimistic about the future. I see my success ahead of me, and I see my children excelling in university as I hoped.”
To achieve Etimad’s dream, SOS Children’s Villages will provide her with support to create a small photography studio that includes all the equipment she needs. This will help create a sustainable source of income for Etimad and her family, for years to come.