*names in the story have been changed to protect identity.

Children in Syria

For over a decade, Syrian children have been born into the heart of a war. Syrians represent nearly 20% of the total global refugee population, and as of mid-2023, 6.49 million Syrians have sought refuge, primarily in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and Türkiye.

9-year-old Firyal has lived through the repercussions of a war-torn country her entire life – a war that stole her leg before she was old enough to use it.

“In 2014 and, while my daughter was walking her first steps, we were hit, my child was injured. In the end, we had no choice but to amputate her left leg under the knee,” her father recalls.

In Syria, a young girl walks using her prosthetic leg.

Firyal walking with her prosthetic leg.

World Vision Syria

On that day, Firya was steady in her mother’s arms, looking at her father a foot away from her, and took her first step. Before her parents could celebrate their daughter’s accomplishment, the sound of an airstrike echoed through their home. They had no choice but to amputate Firya’s left leg under the knee.

Shortly after Firyal recovered, the family moved to a displacement camp to seek refuge. It took over four years before Firyal received a prosthetic leg. Since the start of the wat, Air raids have caused over 80,000 Syrians to lose extremities and resulted in a high demand across the country for prosthetics.

In Syria, a school is damaged by the earthquake. A picture from the inside of the school shows a crumbled interior and exterior wall.

Damaged schools from the 2023 earthquake.

World Vision Syria

Returning to school

In time, Firyal learned to walk with her prosthetic leg and was determined to go to school and learn with the other children. In 2023, an earthquake struck Syria, destroying Firyal’s family’s tent. Firyal salvaged her leg just before flames consumed the tent, but the family was forced to start over again.
The earthquake wiped out 2,947 schools, driving thousands of children to drop out. World Vision Syria Response and its partner Hand in Hand for Aid are working toward restoration and rehabilitation across 14 target schools. Meanwhile, 5,200 children wait to return to their learning.

In Syria, a man wearing a World Vision vest oversees new construction being done for the schools.

Restoration and rehabilitation work on the schools.

World Vision Syria

The transformation of these schools is possible thanks to an initiative by the Cooperating Aid Organizations, which comprises 11 aid organizations, including World Vision.

In Syria, a young girl smile and she sits at a school desk and makes a heart symbol with her hands.

Firyal now attends school with other children thanks to her determination and the rehabilitation efforts.

World Vision Syria

Firyal and many other children patiently waited for their schools to be restored so they would return to their education. Our local staff witness the incredible resilience and hope embodied in Syrian children like Firyal. Donors like you, worldwide, through World Vision and our partners, are helping children like Firyal recover from disaster and rebuild their lives.

Here's how World Vision is helping With donations from people like you and our international partners, World Vision has been able to help support restoration of learning, health services, psychological support, and more for children and families living in conflict-ridden and dangerous places.

Citations https://www.unrefugees.org/refugee-facts/statistics/ https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/download/?url=9mS5Zr https://www.ri.org/at-a-modest-but-miraculous-center-in-turkey-syrian-refugees-receive-life-changing-prosthetics-and-orthotics/ https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/unicef-syria-humanitarian-situation-report-no-7-earthquake-28-march-2023

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