Iman, a 10-year-old girl with an innocent smile and gentle personality, joined SOS Children’s Village Rafah in 2020 with her older siblings, after facing difficult family circumstances.
In March 2024, the war in Gaza came too close to her doorstep, so she was evacuated to Bethlehem. She now lives in one of the community homes in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages.
Since childhood, Iman’s struggled with serious health challenges. She was undergoing medical treatment, but when war interrupted it, her condition worsened.
Healing beyond medicine amid the Gaza War
Medical care alone was not enough to help Iman overcome her distress. She also needed psychosocial support.
Upon her arrival in Bethlehem, she resumed her treatment under the supervision of specialists. Finally, Iman was receiving the necessary medical care and psychological support she needed to begin to heal.
Her caregiver, Mama Samah, played a crucial role in boosting her confidence. By assigning her small responsibilities, Iman began to feel capable of managing her own life.
And, by enrolling in a specialised school, Iman was able to start catching up on education she missed during the war. This helped Iman to overcome her worries about falling behind academically.
Rebuilding confidence in the wake of the Gaza War
Iman successfully completed the fourth grade and moved on to the fifth grade with determination and optimism.
And she has now grown into a more confident and outgoing child.
Iman began to thrive. She joined the school choir and began making new friends, overcoming her shyness and social withdrawal. Mama Samah continued to encourage her self-confidence.
She said, “When I visit her school and hear teachers praise her manners and diligence, I feel immense pride. She is a kind, well-mannered girl who’s full of life.”
Today, Iman dreams of becoming a teacher or lawyer. She’s achieved a true transformation in her emotional wellbeing, her confidence in the future, and the hope she now carries.
Iman has found a loving home and a safe space to pave the way for a bright and successful future.