A Father’s Bittersweet Return
In the village of Kafr Amma, in the countryside of Aleppo, Syria, 56-year-old Abdulrahman returned home after years of displacement, carrying both the weight of war and the hope of rebuilding.
Abdulrahman, returned with his wife and five children, three of whom live with disabilities, all injured when a shell struck their home. Like many families his return was bittersweet. The war had left his house and community in ruins.
“When we finally returned after its liberation, I was devastated to find my house completely looted, the doors and windows were gone, the sewage system was destroyed, and the walls were cracked. The kitchen and bathroom were in terrible condition, and the house was simply unlivable. I am an elderly man and unable to work, and my three children’s disabilities are the result of a shell that hit our home during the war.
One of our biggest concerns was safety, especially the lack of a stair railing, which posed great danger to my children. Another major issue was the sewage system, our village had no manhole at all. I had to create one myself in the field, but it wasn’t sufficient.”
SARD, thanks. to the support of Catholic Relief Services, visited Abdulrahman’s home to assess the family’s needs as part of The Shelter and Urban Recovery project, which aimed to address urgent shelter, non-food items, and community infrastructure needs of vulnerable and returnee households in Kafr Amma and Kafr Aleppo. The shelter rehabilitation component supports vulnerable returnees like Abdulrahman’s family by repairing and rehabilitating damaged homes, ensuring safer and more dignified living conditions.
“Then, SARD organization visited and assessed our situation. With their $2,000 assistance, I was able to renovate my home. I built a proper manhole, which made a huge difference, before that, we constantly suffered from insects and diseases like leishmaniasis. SARD also helped us install a stair railing, protecting my children from falling, and supported us in repairing the kitchen and bathroom, and more. Their help truly restored safety and dignity to our home.”
Under another SARD project, Abdulrahman’s childrens’ local school in Kafar Amma was rehabilitated and solar panel lights were installed in the central market, thanks to funding from the Syria Humanitarian Cross-Border Fund.
Adding to his father’s words, Zain', one of Abdulrahman’s sons, shared his gratitude and his own personal wish:
“My name is Zain*, and I am one of the students at the school that SARD rehabilitated. I want to thank you, our school has become beautiful. However, I have a special request. I find it very difficult to go to school because of my disability. I dream of having an electric wheelchair or motor to help me reach school more easily.”
With Zain’s* words we are reminded of the immense needs that remain and the long journey of recovery ahead. However, thanks to The Shelter and Urban Recovery project, 104 shelters of the most vulnerable 138 returnee families in Kafr Amma and Kafar Haleb were rehabilitated, 500 vulnerable families received NFI cash assistance, and the Kafr Haleb school was rehabilitated. While through the Makani project, 4 schools, 3 markets, 70 shelters, 55 solar powered lights were rehabilitated across Sheikh Ahmed and Kafr Amma. Enormous progress in the long journey of recovery.
Abdulrahman’s story reflects the resilience of returnee families rebuilding their lives in post-conflict Syria, and the vital role of humanitarian interventions in restoring dignity and stability to communities.
Zain* tends to his pigeons on the rooftop of his home, which he can now safely access after the repairs. He is still waiting for a wheelchair.
Are you interested in supporting our recovery work? Please contact us at info@sardngo.org or donate today.