Saved by water’s miracles

When you think of a happy family, you might picture a mom, dad, and their beautiful children. But in Syria, where lives were lost and dreams were shattered, this picture is far from reality.

After hundreds of thousands of men died in the Syrian conflict, their wives are overshadowed by widowhood as they are reminded daily of what it means to lose your life partner. 

Losing a partner in Syria doesn’t only mean heartbreak, 92% of widowed Syrian women wrestle every day to provide the most basic necessities such as food and proper shelter for their family. What’s even more heart wrenching is the fact that widowed women and their children are more likely to face numerous types of violence, such as neglect and physical and sexual abuse further inflaming their deep scars. 

Today, we are not just sharing the story of one widowed woman. Hanady* represents many who chose to fight back despite it all. 

38-year-old Hanady, living in a fragile mud house, often wonders, "when will the storm pass?" as she thinks about her eight orphaned children, "we faced displacement in 2017, knowing nothing but hunger, thirst, and extreme weather in a makeshift camp. Even when we returned home in 2018, the land was dry and barren after the crisis. Although my husband was already very ill, with all the harsh conditions, his health further deteriorated, and in 2019, his body just gave up on him. 

I keep on thinking if there was no crisis, would I still have my husband by my side?”, shares Hanady.

In the years that followed, widowed Handay didn’t only battle the lack of food and water, drought rapidly continued devouring her land, leaving her family feeling cuffed in their own home, “the drought was so severe that we had no source of water. My land could no longer grow crops, and I couldn’t even provide grass for my only cow”, say Hanady. 

The resilient mother, Hanady, was forced to wear different hats to support her family, “my husband was my support system, after losing him, I had to become everything for my children, bearing their full responsibility. I work tirelessly in other farming fields just to put food on the table. The exhaustion of securing medications for my disabled children and providing school supplies for others is relentless, but I would still sacrifice it all for them”, she reflects. 

After forgetting the taste of happiness, could the family’s old life ever be experienced again? This is how Hanady rewrote her reality.

 Through World Vision Syria Response’s water provision project, Hanady’s neighbourhood was provided with a water irrigation system that distributes clean, fresh water to the residents of the area, a basic need that was once considered a luxury for the family. “Before, I was worried about my children because they frequently fall ill from drinking polluted water and had to spend a fortune on drinkable water but now everything changed”, says Hanady.

With this new source of life, Hanady’s situation has transformed dramatically. She can now access water for her family and cultivate her land. "Now, I can finally get back to focusing on what truly matters; my family and their wellbeing”, she shares.

The seeds of my livelihood

Although water is life, World Vision Syria Response with its partner, Action for Humanity, recognized the importance of sustainability and empowering livelihoods. Hanady was among the 200 farmers who received vital support, including ploughing services, seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to cultivate one and a half acres of summer vegetables like zucchini and cucumber. "Now, I can feed my family and earn money from selling crops without sacrificing my health or time with my children”.

“This project didn’t only benefit me; I have seen a huge transformation in my village as farming and livestock breeding is now finally thriving in the area, I can’t thank World Vision enough for the chance they have given us. I hope for more projects like these, projects that bring us back to life”,Finishes Hanady.

Through the transformational support from the federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and with partner, Action For Humanity, a solar system and irrigation system was provided to supply water to approximately 19,000 acres, benefiting around 10,000 participants in Syria.

Because water is life, we are committed to bringing vitality and prosperity to resilient Syrians, who, despite unimaginable hardships, cherish and fight every day for their lives.

*Name has been changed to protect identity