November 2009
Muhammad, a 51-year-old man living in the Governorate of Gaza, is the breadwinner of a family of ten. Muhammad has been unemployed since 1996 because of illness. In
1996, Muhammad suffered from meningitis, a sometimes life-threatening disease, that for
Muhammad resulted in a respiratory arrest which prevents him from breathing properly. Muhammad now needs an artificial ventilator to help him breath.
Mohammad’s family lives in a small flat in Beit Lahya. The flat consists of three rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Muhammad is concerned about the family’s inability to cover water and electricity bills. “This month they have asked me to pay several times already, but I do not have the money. I am afraid they will cut off the electricity, if I do not pay soon,” he said. Mohammad cannot work and his family is dependent on financial support from charity and from the Ministry of Social Affairs.
During the Gaza war in December and January, the family suffered additional losses. The apartment house he lives in was damaged. The ground floor was damaged and all the windows on the second floor were broken. On the roof, the small water tanks were also broken.
Muhammad was surprised, when he received a visit from Mercy Corps with funds from USAID’s Civic Engagement Program (CEP) to assess the needs of his family. He was delighted, when he heard that he was selected as a beneficiary and would receive a 1000-liter water tank to replace the smaller broken ones. He could not have purchased the water tank himself, because he had no money to cover the cost.
USAID’s assistance had a great impact on the quality of life of Muhammad’s family and he is grateful and hopeful for continued support during this tough time of transition. Muhammad explained: "The main goal in my life is to raise my children well, ensure they are healthy, receive good education, and are able to live in a safe environment. The new water tank will contribute to this."
|
