Rihab Ayyad: 11 Years as a PRCS’ Volunteer Despite Harsh Conditions

 Rihab Ayyad, also known as Umm Tareq, is 50 years old and lives in Al Zaytoon neighborhood in Gaza City. She joined PRCS’ Safe Motherhood Committees in 2005 and has already spent more than 11 years volunteering with the Society. This experience enriched her and brought her closer to her six children.

How it all started – the story as it was told by Rihab:

“I used to live in a small house with my family. Life was difficult due to the political situation and Israeli attacks. When my home was destroyed during an Israeli incursion in 2004, I felt stressed and disoriented. I sought the help of various institutions and associations for myself and my children, then I met a lady from PRCS who encouraged me to become a volunteer.

 As soon as I joined PRCS, my life changed. I started educating people about health, social and psychological issues. People welcomed us volunteers and kept asking for more educational sessions.

Their support boosted our efforts, built our confidence and brought us the respect of our families, neighbors and people in general. I used to know nothing about health care or First Aid, but after taking part in several First Aid courses I have learned many things.

Support and Backstopping:

“PRCS provided us with First Aid kits and offered us several psychological support courses. I learned a lot and was thus able to provide advice to local families about marital issues or children’s psychological health. PRCS’ volunteers became well known in Al Zaytoon and neighboring areas, and I can now say that I enjoy being a volunteer working to advance society and to change attitudes and behaviors”.

The War on Gaza:

“During the last aggressive and destructive war on the Gaza Strip, we played a major role in easing the suffering of victims. My family had to leave Al Zaytoon and seek shelter in a safer place. We moved to an area where most inhabitants were displaced people, including children and pregnant women.

I started offering them advice, telling them to avoid dangerously exposed areas such as windows and doorways. I told patients with chronic illnesses to make sure they have enough medicine with them and advised parents to occupy their children with games, drawing and stories to help keep fear at bay. 

During ceasefire periods, we would go to overcrowded schools-turned-shelters where living conditions were very bad and several disease outbreaks had already taken place. We would give advice to displaced populations living there, focusing on hygiene and cleanliness and speaking about illnesses that may spread due to the lack of hygiene.

 We spoke about the importance of disposing of garbage and ensuring that patients and elderly persons are taking their medication. We also provided psychological support to children by sitting with them and trying to ease their suffering, fear and distress through story-telling, games and jokes.

 Finally, at the end of the war, several volunteers from Al Zaytoon Committee, including myself, visited the “Balsam” Center in a show of solidarity with the families of martyrs and wounded Palestinians. At the Center, we provided psychological support to all those in need, especially the mothers of martyrs”.

End.