MEET JANA

Jana and her musical therapist at our partner Child Friendly Space in Homs

My family and I live in a crowded neighborhood in Homs, which was subjected to many painful events during the war. This led to a lot of damage to the houses and infrastructure. We did not leave, we stayed in our house despite everything that happened, including the worst day of our lives, when our daughter Jana got injured in the head by a shrapnel.

She was four at the time, and we could not afford surgery to treat her injury. The injury led her to develop a speech disorder and pronunciation problems, and to spend several months without hair at all. This led to the deterioration of her psychological condition and overall wellbeing.

We first learnt about the Child Friendly Space because they were offering music therapy and we registered Jana. The musical therapist in the center in turn felt that Jana needed to receive more psychosocial support and suggested she starts attending the full program of the center. We, as a family, approached the center with this request, and it was a great opportunity for us.

The music lessons she received already improved her voice and speech quite a lot, while bringing much needed joy and beauty to her life. But joining the Child Friendly Space gave her the opportunity to benefit from even more psychosocial support activities. She is now a girl with a strong personality, self-confidence, and high social skills. She began to form meaningful friendships. What affected her the most was her participation in the choir of the center. She even sang a solo!

The deteriorating economic situation is one of the main difficulties we face during this time, but we are working hard to adapt to it and we try to live with the bare minimum without depriving our children of the basics of a modest life. But Jana is now a very happy and joyful child, thanks to the center.