In the Sarout Camp, part of the Atmeh displacement camps in rural Idlib, lives 19-year-old Mohammad. Since birth, Mohammad has faced severe challenges that shaped his life. Born with profound sensorineural hearing loss, he was entirely deaf in his right ear and had extremely limited hearing in his left.
Struggles Amid Displacement
Seven years ago, Mohammad’s family fled their hometown due to relentless shelling, settling in Atmeh’s overcrowded camps. The family of eight lives in a cramped two-room shelter. Mohammad’s hearing impairment wasn’t his only challenge—he endured bullying from peers at school, leading to social isolation and eventual dropout.
His father recounts those difficult times with sadness:
“Mohammad suffered from pitying looks and constant bullying, which drove him to withdraw from everyone. I wanted to help him as a father, but our dire financial situation prevented us from affording the hearing aids he desperately needed.”
Isolation and Emotional Struggles
Over time, Mohammad’s mental health deteriorated. He became increasingly withdrawn, afraid to face the outside world. The dream of returning to school seemed unreachable. Mohammad expressed his despair:
“I wished I could hear normally, live like other young people, and go back to school.”
A Ray of Hope: Intervention by Atmeh Community Center
One day, Mohammad’s life took an unexpected turn when his family learned about the Atmeh Community Center, run by the Syrian Relief and Development Organization. The center welcomed Mohammad, providing intensive psychological support sessions and counseling programs that enhanced his ability to face daily challenges.
The center also trained his family to create a supportive environment, teaching them strategies for interacting with individuals with special needs and alleviating their burdens.
A Life-Changing Moment: Hearing Aids Secured
After thoroughly assessing Mohammad’s condition, the case manager and his team decided to provide him with hearing aids—something that had once seemed an impossible dream. The case manager shared his thoughts on this transformative moment:
“There’s no greater joy than seeing someone regain a part of their life through your efforts. When we handed Mohammad his hearing aids, it was a turning point in his life.”
A New Beginning for Mohammad
With his hearing aids, Mohammad’s life changed dramatically. He could hear better, which restored his self-confidence. He returned to school, began interacting with friends and teachers, and became more optimistic and stable. Mohammad expressed his gratitude:
“Thank God, I can now hear and communicate with people. My life has changed significantly, and I’m so thankful to the Atmeh Community Center for their support.”
A Message of Gratitude and Hope
Mohammad didn’t stop at returning to normalcy; he now looks to the future with hope. At the end of his story, he shared a heartfelt message to the Syrian Relief and Development Organization and the Atmeh Community Center:
“You didn’t just help me hear—you gave me a new life and hope for a better future. Thank you so much.”
