In the heart of the Jerash Gaza Refugee Camp in Jordan, five-and-a-half-year-old Odye Hamza Almalahi’s world was once silent. Born prematurely and raised in a family that has lived as stateless refugees for three generations, Odye’s early years were marked by a quiet that set him apart from his siblings and peers. But in June 2025, a life-changing cochlear implant surgery opened a new chapter for this young boy, bringing the sounds of the world—and hope—into his life.
A Childhood in Silence
Odye’s father, Hamza Almalahi, works as an auto body painter, earning wages only when there is work available—a reality that often leaves the family without income for months at a time. Like many in the Jerash Gaza Refugee Camp, the Almalahi family has no Jordanian citizenship, despite decades of residence. Odye’s grandparents fled Gaza in 1967, and his father was born in the camp in 1985. The family’s statelessness has shaped every aspect of their lives.
Odye was born prematurely and spent his first month in an incubator. At home, he seemed to develop like any other child until his father noticed, at age three, that Odye was not speaking or reacting to loud noises. Medical visits initially found nothing amiss, but a later scan revealed severe damage and underdevelopment in his middle ear. The diagnosis: profound hearing loss, with only a cochlear implant offering hope for restoring his hearing.
The High Cost of Hope
In Jordan, cochlear implant surgery is prohibitively expensive, costing approximately $22,000 USD. For most refugee families, this sum is unimaginable. Many charitable organizations are unable to take on such cases due to the cost. Yet, since October 2024, three children—including Odye—have received this life-changing surgery through the support of Tzu Chi Jordan and its partners.
The journey to surgery began in February 2025, when the CEO of Tzu Chi Jordan, Chiou Hwa Chen (陳秋華), presented a report to Prince Hassan of Jordan, highlighting the organization’s work with vulnerable communities. Encouraged by the prince to collaborate with local organizations, Tzu Chi volunteers visited the Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), a group dedicated to providing healthcare for stateless Palestinians in Jordan. It was through MAP’s referral that Odye’s case came to light.
A Smile that Changed Everything
On June 3, 2025, Odye underwent cochlear implant surgery. Two weeks later, when the device was activated, his reaction was unlike that of the two younger girls who had received implants before him—while they cried in confusion, Odye beamed with joy. His smile warmed the hearts of everyone present.
LEFT: On June 1, Odye (left) underwent a deep-sleep EEG test at the hearing center to confirm his auditory nerve function before surgery. RIGHT: On June 16, when Odye’s cochlear implant was activated, he smiled joyfully, a moment that touched everyone present. | Photos: Lamiya Lin (林綠卿)
The Long Road to Communication
Odye’s journey did not end with surgery. At home, his mother had relied on television and mobile phones to soothe his anxiety, as he could not hear or communicate his needs. Now, with the ability to hear, Odye faced the challenge of learning to interpret sounds and develop language skills—a process that would require intensive therapy and patience.
Starting July 7, Odye began attending a speech-language training center three times a week. The therapists encouraged his mother to stop using screens as a comfort tool, focusing instead on building real-world connections and communication. The first sessions were difficult; Odye was anxious and resistant, but therapists avoided forcing him, allowing his older sister to join him in play to help him adjust.
LEFT: During his first visit to the speech-language therapy center, Odye was nervous and resistant. His sister joined him in play to help him relax and adapt. | Photo: Lamiya Lin RIGHT: Volunteers visited Odye’s home to offer support. His siblings are healthy, and his father continues to work odd jobs while his mother cares for the children. | Photo: Asma
Professional assessments determined that Odye would need intensive speech-language training—three sessions per week, each lasting an hour—to help him understand vocabulary, mimic pronunciation, and learn to communicate. Unlike children who receive implants at a younger age, Odye’s later start means he must work harder to catch up, but his speech system is intact and, with patience and support, he is making progress.
A Community of Support and New Possibilities
The partnership between Tzu Chi and MAP, which began in June 2025, has already made a difference beyond Odye’s case. Fifty-six patients have received hearing assessments, and forty-one have been provided with hearing aids, improving their quality of life. These efforts are a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact of targeted support for those most in need.
Lighting a Candle in the Darkness
For families like the Almalahis, life as refugees is filled with uncertainty and hardship. The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the challenges of statelessness weigh heavily on daily life. Yet, through the combined efforts of local and international organizations, a single act of compassion—like restoring a child’s hearing—can ignite hope and possibility.
As Odye learns to navigate a world filled with sound, his journey is a reminder that even in the most difficult circumstances, kindness and perseverance can open doors to a brighter future.
Written by Lamiya Lin (林綠卿)
Source: 5歲半巴勒斯坦難民兒童 終於聽見世界的聲音
