Specialist disability care for Syria’s Children 

Embrace helps fund three Child Friendly Spaces in Syria. The centres support the psychological and educational needs of children and welcomes children with special needs and disabilities. The project was vital for Rania and her three children as they tried to recover from their traumatic experiences. 

My name is Rania. I live in Homs with three of my children, all of whom have special needs. 

At the beginning of the Syrian crisis, we were forced to flee from Damascus. Before then, life was good because my husband worked as a taxi driver and was able to support us as a family even with two disabled children. But when I was pregnant with my youngest, my husband was killed in the bombings. I feared for my safety, so I had to flee to Homs with my children.  

I now live in a house that is not my own; it is my brother’s, and he is allowing me to reside in it for a small fee. I struggled with adjusting with the move. My husband was not there to support me. Now I had three children with disabilities and was the only breadwinner of the family. 

The disabilities center is a big blessing for us as a family. I can see a big difference in my children’s lives and behaviour. For example, my middle daughter is now able to socialise with other children and form friendships. This was one of her biggest struggles. She even joined the choir. Her self-confidence greatly improved. As a mother, I feel greatly supported by the center; I am now receiving the emotional support I was greatly lacking.