I am Sondos Al Aklouk, a mother of four children.

My eldest is Ahmed (15 years old), then Zein (14), Mohammed (12), and little Karam, who is only six. We were living a simple life, but it was full of warmth and hope. My husband, Saeed Al Aklouk, worked as a freelance motion graphic designer and was our only source of income. He stayed up late nights to provide for us and dreamed of a better future for our children.In a single moment, everything changed.

My husband suffered a severe head injury as a result of the bombing, which caused brain bleeding, a skull fracture, and nerve damage. Since that day, he has been suffering from weakness in his right hand and left leg and is no longer able to work or move as he once did. The suffering was not only physical; he also developed neurological problems that affected his concentration, memory, and ability to communicate. In addition, he struggles with serious psychological trauma, including anxiety attacks, constant stress, depression, and difficulty sleeping. Sometimes I see him lost in thought or silently sad, as if part of him is still trapped in the moment of the injury.

Saeed was our strength and support, and today he is the one who needs support.As if that were not enough, our home was completely destroyed. In one moment, we lost our house, our safety, our stability, and our only source of income.

My daily concern now is how to provide medical treatment for my husband, how to secure basic needs for my children, and how to keep my family together amid this devastation.I try to stay strong in front of my children, to plant reassurance in their hearts despite my deep fear. My story is not just words; it is the reality we live every single day. We are a family that has lost so much, yet we still hold on to hope that someone will stand with us, help my husband receive treatment, and give my children the chance to live in safety and dignity.

With sincere hope,

-Sondos