Superhero mode: Yaser* rebuilds Syria
They are a silent community, making their way through life discreetly. For many of them, life hasn’t always been like that.
They make up 37 per cent of people in Northeastern Syria, yet there are no visible efforts to include them and make their lives easier. Despite that, they shall not give up.
They are people living with disability who were either born with it or were involved in an accident, leaving them disabled.
Yaser*, 28, once lead an ordinary life. As ordinary as an internally displaced Syrian can experience. He used to work as a shoemaker bringing steady income for his family of three. Things weren’t perfect, but at least food was on the table and children were in school.
Then the dreadful day came. In 2015, the situation escalated in Syria and shelling flooded the city specifically the street Yaser used to work in. Suddenly, a shelling fragment rested in Yaser’s leg igniting a sea of blood, he fell to the ground helpless. Heroic bystanders rushed him to the hospital but after hours of doctors trying to salvage his leg, they couldn’t only amputate it.
The world as Yaser knew changed. He was faced with a bitter reality; it’s less likely to maintain a job after suffering from a disability. So, when he lost his job as a shoemaker, food became scarce. This broke Yaser. Not only that, but the family had to abandon their village and seek refuge in a displacement camp in the Northwest. Meanwhile, the responsibility of providing for his family kept weighing his shoulders down. What is he going to do? Giving up isn't an option.
When there is a will there is a way
World Vision Syria Response Partner, Orange
Luckily, the family was able to secure a one-room shelter. Now, the father of two is looking everywhere for a place to work in and to include his disability but to no avail. “My injury didn’t help in my efforts to secure a job but I remained adamant, my children needed school supplies and I needed medication,” he shares.
Thankfully, while he was job hunting, he heard about World Vision Syria Response cash for work project through its implementing partner Orange. After asking about it, the idea of the project appealed to him and it provided him with a space to be productive without the constrains of his disability. The essence of the project is to rebuild Syria that was affected by the earthquake, starting from roads, to schools and hospitals. Yaser wanted to be part of something greater while also supporting his family financially, so he applied. After a while, he received the good call that he was accepted.
In the beginning, Yaser was provided with a security training on how to operate the machinery and to maintain his safety during the activities. “I benefitted from these trainings. It helped me keep myself and colleagues around me safe. It also enlightened me on how to steer clear from danger if I was at home or even at work”.
Yaser’s confidence increased and he felt at home, “my colleagues care about me and love me, they never made me feel I have a disability. We work in a positive environment, we are one team we are one body together,” he happily shares.
Slowly and with time, just as Yaser was rebuilding the broken roads of Syria, he was alleviating his family’s situation. “Ever since working I am capable of providing for my children, I can put food in front of my children, buy them school supplies, secure my medication. It broke my heart when I saw my children sick and I couldn’t afford their medication but now things have changed thank God,” he happily shares. Yaser is one of the 560 workers who benefitted from the cash for work opportunities provided by World Vision Syria Response and are eager to make a real impact under this project.
World Vision Syria Response Partner, Orange