Muhammad did not know numbers or colors… until he saw them in the eyes of those who believed in him

Palestine Red Crescent Society

From the womb of suffering, and with an unyielding will, the Home Enrichment Program of the Rehabilitation Department of the Palestinian Red Crescent continues to create true success stories that illuminate the paths of hope for children with disabilities and their families.

This time, the mother of the child “Mohammad Tamer Ashkar” from the town of Seida – Tulkarm District, tells us the chapters of an inspiring human story, the title of which was persistence, and its hero is a child who defied isolation and opened the door to creativity

Mohammad’s mother says:

"I am Umm Muhammad, my third son among his siblings. We live in the family home with our grandfather, grandmother and aunt. Since his birth, doctors have noticed that his head circumference is small, and they told us that he may not be like his peers in growth and learning. Their words were harsh, but we never lost hope."

Recalling many years of attempts, she adds:

"We took him to kindergarten and then school, and we visited many centers without any noticeable results, until we joined the home enrichment program of the Palestinian Red Crescent, and there our true story began, under the supervision of the rehabilitation worker Najat Bishara, and the volunteers Najiba Sanjak and Ne'ma Hamad."

The mother continues with clear pride:

Muhammad did not know letters, numbers, or colors, but at the beginning of the program he began to learn step by step. Although in sixth grade, his ability to interact changed a lot, and he began to love studying and asked me to teach him. As a mother, I learned how to deal with him and help him and thankfully, now he has a love for learning and enthusiasm for every new activity.

Psychological support for the family… and empowerment for the mother

The impact of the program was not limited to the child only, but extended to include mothers as well.

The mother says gratefully:

“The beautiful thing about the program is that it cares for the mother and child together. The psychological discharge sessions with specialist Rima were a real outlet for us, teaching us how to express our stress and derive strength from thanking God. Even simple words restored our energy."

Unforgettable joy stations

The mother describes the recreational activities, saying:

"Mohammad was very happy with the camps, the games, the birthdays, and the visits. The moment that affected me the most was when he rode a horse, and I will never forget his joy in Eid clothes and his feeling that he was a normal child among his friends."

From fear to trust

She adds proudly:

“Before the program, Mohammed was afraid to leave the house, but today he has become brave, playing football, riding a bike, and praying all the prayers in the mosque. Specialist Najat visited his school and formed a friendship committee for him, and he became loved by everyone. Even in sports, he started participating after he used to sit alone.”

School testimony

This transformation is confirmed by Mr. Mo’men Saeed Afsisi, a physical education teacher at Seida Boys Secondary School, saying:

"I taught Mohammed when he was in fifth grade, and he was a shy, introverted kid. After cooperation with PRCS and the Home Enrichment Department, an intensive training program was developed for him. Within a short period, I noticed a significant change in his behavior, and he began to participate with confidence and happiness. This was a successful human experience by all standards."

Words of gratitude

The mother concludes her speech with deep gratitude:

"The Home Enrichment Program was a turning point in our lives. We will never forget your efforts and concern for our children and their mothers. We hope this program continues because it creates real success stories."

Disability statistics

Statistics from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics indicate that the percentage of children under 18 years of age among people with disabilities reaches about 20% of the total, which highlights the importance of home educational and rehabilitation programs such as the PRCS program, which provides integrated services to children and their families.

Finally

PRCS continues to implement the Home Enrichment Program as part of its ongoing efforts to support and empower children with disabilities and their families. This program enhances learning and rehabilitation skills, provides psychosocial support, and builds a safe and growth-stimulating family environment.

Mohammad's story is no exception, but it is living proof that determination, care, and sincere humanitarian work are capable of transforming challenges into achievements and planting hope in every Palestinian home.