When younger, Sara used to live in a spacious house with her family and led a life of harmony. Her father enjoyed playing with the children. However, as conflict broke out in 2011, Sara’s life was turned around in an instant. She was only ten. “Before the war started, nothing worried me. Everything was okay.”
Sara recalls how militants stormed into her community one day to loot and kill. In the night, the noises of bombing and shooting would wake her up. The militants even tried to break into her house, which made her very worried about her family’s safety. Sadly, her beloved father was consequently kidnapped. “They ran over him and then they shot him and then burned him,” says Sara. Missing her father deeply, she adds, “I wanted to see him. I wanted to kill myself.”
Fearing for their safety as the conflict intensified, the family followed Sara’s mother and fled by night. Sara was only able to pack some clothes, a family album and a watch given by her father. She was always holding the album and the watch to reminisce the good times they had. “I just want my father to come back.”
Upon reaching the temporary settlements in Lebanon, Sara and her family could only cram into a tiny and stuffy tent with a few other families. The infrastructure in this community is poor, but Sara still feels that life is better here than in Syria. At least, she no longer has to worry about bombings. She is working hard on her studies and hopes to become a judge in the future.
World Vision is actively assisting Syrian refugees in Lebanon, helping children like Sara overcome their traumatic experiences of war. Through Child Friendly Spaces and other forms of education assistance, displaced children are able to continue their education and see their hopes restored.
Before the conflict, Sara was living a carefree life, a stark contrast to her current life in the temporary settlements.
Apart from overcoming the pain of losing her father, Sara also bears the responsibility of taking care of her younger brother.
Sara packed a photo album when she fled, and would look at the photos when she misses her father.
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