Syria, Jamila is not easy to resist

Jamila is 77 years old, she has cancer and lives in Homs in a small house on the roof of a dilapidated building. Her situation is one of extreme fragility that has worsened since the conflict broke out in Syria. When she discovered her illness, Jamila was very scared: she did not know if she would be able to get the medicines she needed. Her health condition was already aggravated by other problems related to diabetes, heart and blood pressure (elements that led her doctor to opt for hormone therapy and not chemotherapy). In addition, some joint pain limits her autonomy, as she has to climb very steep stairs to access her small apartment. In this situation, the only comfort is her sister and brother-in-law who live in another city and who host Jamila during some particularly difficult periods. When Jamila learned about the health center in Homs run by the “Seeds of Hope” program in Syria, she went to meet the workers and told them about her suffering, the difficulties in finding medicines and the housing situation. From that moment on, the support process began to help her buy her medications, perform the tests and radiological examinations necessary for her therapy. Today, Jamila’s health is stable, she still has some symptoms from time to time, she suffers from difficulty moving and walking, but she can count on the support and care of the operators at the Homs center who welcomed her and understood her difficulties. In addition to material help, Jamila has found psychological support and affection that make her think she can still resist, despite the difficulties.