Rama: The girl who was reborn

Six years of conflict in Syria: Save the Children series

Rama had to sleep for three months in a hole dug in the ground. She was trapped under the rubble for an hour before her family found out she was still alive. She was only three.

In their semi-finished house in Akkar, North Lebanon, Rama’s mother, Shadia*, has allocated half a wall for her children to hang their favourite pictures.

Shadia describes the few minutes that followed the strike that hit their house in Syria as ‘’the longest 45 minutes in my life.’’

‘’It was in that moment when we decided to flee,’’ recalls the former Arabic teacher.

‘’I said goodbye to my husband and three of my children. We agreed that one group would take the main road while the others walked through the woodland to make sure that at least one group survive the next strike.’’   

Rama has lost her ability to hear with one ear. She was late to develop her ability to speak and never got over her extreme fear of loud noises.      

In Lebanon, there are half a million refugee children from Syria spending a sixth winter in tents and inadequate shelters.

Supported by Save the Children, Shadia has been able to send her five children to school and get on with life. Rama enjoys going to the nursery and has made great progress.

As the future continues to be uncertain, Shadia can only hope that the next six years will treat her children more fairly. 

*Names have been changed for protection purposes.