We can all be part of the change, the story of one mother who is making a difference in Gaza

By Hajar Masoud, World Vision Monitoring and Evaluation officer in Gaza

Itemad, a 40-year-old mother of three who lives in Beit Lahia in Northern Gaza is a clear example of courage and hope. In 2012, Itemad and her family survived the experience of war Gaza. She lost friends and neighbours and had her home partially destroyed by the bombing.

“I am proud of myself. I am mother, but I am [also] part of my community now. I am part of the change,” says Itemad, 40.

“[Those were] horrible days, full of fear and pain,” she says. “The very difficult feeling [was] being unable to protect the people you love the most, to protect your children, who are your heart and soul. When the bomb [hit] our home during that time, the fear I saw in my children’s eyes was what the pushed me to make the decision; that I have to do something for my children and other children,” she continues.

After the crisis of the November 2012 conflict, World Vision conducted a huge psychosocial support campaign that reached a total of 8,000 mothers, aiming to raise the ability of parents to provide psychosocial support for their families, especially their children. One of the main topics of this campaign was the “Psychosocial first aid” (PFA), which builds the capacity of mothers to support the needs of their children and family members in times of crisis. Itemad was one of the mothers reached through this campaign. She was well-known for her enthusiasm and participation.

“She was unique,” says Walaa, the psychosocial first-aid trainer. “We all knew that she would not stop after this training. She always wanted to learn more, to know more. She did not stop asking questions during the whole session. 

Less than two years later, the situation has repeated, this time even more tragically. “I knew this was my chance,” she said. “I started calling people, especially my trainers, from the World Vision team, until I heard about the ‘Neighbourhood program’ (a plan to make psychosocial support available in neighbourhoods across Gaza) and I just knew I had to be part of it,” says Itemad, with a big smile. “What I learned from the [program], was my tool this time to help my three children. I knew what to do, what to say and how to react to make them feel safer, and this is what I wanted to do with other children because especially during wars, I know how terrible mothers feel.”

World Vision started the neighbourhood program with direct cooperation with its local partners. This programme used the efforts and knowledge of staff and community members trained in psychosocial support and psychosocial first-aid and depended on them to visit homes and gather children and mothers in safe places to speak in order to conduct activities that aim to make them at least feel better.

“I volunteered directly and started visiting families with my other colleagues from World Vision’s local partners. We conducted activities and I helped as much as I could. I know I am not an expert, but my will, my spirit and the knowledge I gained is what I carry to accomplish what I want,” adds Itemad.

As of August 15, 2014, the Neighbourhood program has reached around 400 children in North Gaza. “Children’s smiles are worth the world,” says Majed, the head of the Neighbourhood programme team. “Despite the sounds of bombs, and all the killing that has happened, seeing one child smile makes our days “ he continues.