Malak's Journey

 In the face of the rising war, a woman’s story stands as a testament to resilience and gratitude. Recently, Malak, a pregnant woman and her family were forced to flee their home in the Bekaa region in Lebanon, seeking safety away from the escalating conflict.

For the past year, Lebanon is facing a severe security conflict causing unstable situation for a lot of families around the country. The last few weeks showed a severe escalation in this conflict, with new areas in Lebanon facing airstrikes and bombing, particularly in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Seeking safety, Malak found herself in an urgent need of a safe shelter for her family, like thousands other Lebanese families.

‘It was a miracle. We saw our own death in a glimpse of seconds”

On their final night in their hometown, fear enveloped Malak, her three-year-old daughter, sister and elderly mother as they hid under trees, praying for protection. In a miraculous turn of events, a rocket came dangerously close and inexplicably changed its course, allowing them to escape unharmed. ‘It was a miracle. We saw our own death in a glimpse of seconds”. States Malak.

As the spouse of a staff member at SOS Children’s Villages, Malak was relieved to reunite with her husband, along their daughter and close family, in the SOS Village in Kfarhay. Now in a new, safe location, Malak feels an overwhelming sense of gratitude for SOS Children’s Villages Lebanon, whose emergency response aims to provide families with safe shelter and support.

“We are home! SOS is my new house”

Her three-year-old daughter has adjusted remarkably well with the other children in the village. She even told her uncle over the phone, “We are home! SOS is my new house.” This innocent declaration has brought a glimmer of hope to their challenging circumstances.

While Malak is actively seeking medical support to monitor her pregnancy, she is thankful for the safe roof over their heads and the caregivers who become her friends. Despite the uncertainties ahead, Malak’s journey is a powerful reminder of the strength, care and support found in a “loving home”.

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