MARIYA’S STORY
Mariya was just four when she was struck in the head by shrapnel, one of many innocent victims of the violence of the Syrian civil war. With little money, her parents could not afford to pay for medical treatment for their daughter.
Five years on, although the outer scars have healed, 9-year-old Mariya still suffers psychologically from her experience and has a speech disorder, affecting her pronunciation. The Child Friendly Spaces centres (supported by Embrace through our partner MERATH) provide specialist therapies, psychological support and safe spaces to play for Mariya and the many children like her who have grown up amid the horrors of war.
Mariya been receiving music lessons and psychological support, helping her to recover from her trauma and build her self-confidence. She’s made many friends among the other children at the centre and is now a member of a choir – and recently sang her first solo.