MEET RIMA

My husband Elias and I were young when we met. We were neighbors and we simply fell in love. After we got married in 1990, we were happy together. Quickly, we were blessed with our first daughter. Two years later, our son Bernard was born, and we quickly realized something was different with him. The more doctors we saw and the more tests we did, the clearer it became that he had a permanent disability we would have to live with for the rest of our lives. After five years, we had Cynthia who also turned out to have a disability. The situation was very difficult for us. Eventually, we lifted it up to God and accepted our circumstances. A few years later, I was pregnant again, and God gave us Charbel who thankfully didn’t have any disability. He has been such a great son and brother to his siblings.

The recent war between Hezbollah and Israel was especially challenging for us. We are originally from the South, and we used to spend six months there every year, because I have the support from my family there and life in our village is more peaceful for the children. But since the conflict started, we haven’t been able to go back. To this day it is still not safe, and I don’t want to take any risks. On top of this, I lost my husband last year. I believe the stress and pressure of our situation and the war had a very negative impact on his health. I have gone through difficult times in my life, but nothing compares to losing him. He was my whole world. He was very kind, generous, and of good character. He made everything easier for us all. Despite all the challenges, he remained a comforting and healing presence in my life.

Now that he is gone, we have no income to rely upon. My oldest daughter now has her own family, and Bernard and Cynthia cannot work. I have to take care of them 24/7, and I have had no time for myself. I feel very tired and drained. As for Charbel, he just finished studying and he is starting to work as a freelancer. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him at a young age. He needs to live his own life, he is already doing so much for us.

We have many expenses, such as food and diapers for Bernard and Cynthia, who must wear them all the time.  We can’t afford many of the things we used to, and the children need to have a good diet, including meat and other sources of protein, to be healthy. We are so tight on money that we cannot do anything, but we have to stay at home all the time. Sometimes we feel like prisoners in our own home. We live day by day and we don’t know what the future holds.

The food vouchers and e-cards we have been receiving from MERATH through sister Claudette have been lifesaving. We have been benefiting from them on and off, since the time of the COVID 19 pandemic, in addition to other basic items. With the e-cards, I get a lot of the food we consume each month, including things that Bernard and Cynthia like and can eat, like their favorite cereals, milk, and soft cheese that I prepare for them with bread and tomatoes.

Thank you to everyone involved in helping us. For a long time, you have been supporting us without even knowing us, how amazing! Honestly, I feel shy. I don’t like that I need to ask for help. The last thing I want is to be a burden to anyone, whether my own children, or to ask for money from strangers. I would rather work and provide for myself and my family. But the truth is I really cannot because Bernard and Cynthia need constant care.

I always pray for God to find a solution and to help us in a dignifying way. Praise be to Him, so far, He has been by our side. He has helped us a lot through Claudette over the past few years, and even more since my husband passed away. I don’t even know how it happened, but I received the call that I would get the new e-card for food when I most needed it. I am forever grateful to Claudette, the church, and everyone who makes their support possible.