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Ala'a Dieri: “These small victories fill me with joy”

Emergency
Jordan Syria

Ala’a has been one of Handicap International’s social workers since April 2014. Based in Amman, she identifies the most vulnerable people and helps meet their needs. An industrial engineer by training, she explains why she chose to work with Handicap International.

Ala'a with Aida, whose husband, Hassan, is receiving rehabilitation care from Handicap International's team after several strokes left him partially paralysed. Jordan.

Ala'a with Aida, whose husband, Hassan, is receiving rehabilitation care from Handicap International's team after several strokes left him partially paralysed. Jordan. | © C. Fohlen/ handicap International.

Social worker, Ala'a, at Handicap International's office in Amaan. Jordan.
“What I love most of all about my work is seeing the difference we make: we can help people walk again, dress themselves, or play with their children. They give off a sort of peacefulness - you can almost touch it. These small victories fill me with joy,” smiles Ala’a.

"Before I joined the mobile team in Amman, I started working with our team in the hospital. They’re really two very different environments: in the community, we help people overcome the obstacles they might encounter on a daily basis, whereas in the hospital, we work with people who are in a state of shock, who have just arrived in a country which is not their own and who are suffering from serious trauma.”

“One person who particularly stands out is Doa’a,” says Ala’a, showing us a photo of a little girl.

“When she arrived at the hospital, her condition was very serious. She was only three years old at the time and no one in her family was able to accompany her. After a few weeks, she started to smile and talk again. We were so happy.”

“Every morning, I think about the people we help, and what else I can do to help them. I like to talk with them - it makes my work so real. I used to work as an engineer with machines, and not once have I regretted my decision to work with Handicap International,” she says.

This project is supported by various international donors, including the Department for International Development.

Date published: 14/03/16

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