Written by Lamiya Lin | Jordan
A Life Shattered by War
In 2011, the Syrian civil war erupted, causing chaos and devastation across the country. Families were torn apart, and countless men were either killed, drafted into the army, or taken away by secret police. For many, this marked the end of life as they knew it. In the blink of an eye, life changed completely. Wafaa Alaei's story is just one of many heartbreaking tales resulting from this conflict. Her husband’s sudden death left her alone with two young children, forcing her to flee to Amman, Jordan, in search of safety and stability.
In 2021, Tzu Chi volunteers visited Wafaa, a single mother raising two sons on her own. She was 32 at the time and living with her parents, sister, and two boys in a small home. Her sister had also lost her husband in the war, and both women were struggling to rebuild their lives.
Wafaa’s sons attended International Knowledge Bridges School, supported by Tzu Chi's scholarship program. To make ends meet, she and her sister worked as housekeepers and caregivers for elderly women, earning around 150 to 200 Jordanian dinars per month (approx. 200 to 260 USD). Additionally, the family received food vouchers from the United Nations, adding 17 dinars (about 25 USD) per person per month to their household income. In total, the family had around 400 to 500 dinars (about 570 to 710 USD) each month. Their brother, who had fled to Germany, helped cover their rent, which was 150 dinars (approx. 213 USD) per month.
Despite the hardships, Wafaa remembered her previous life with a sense of longing. She recalled living in Damascus, where her husband owned a shop selling party dresses for women. Business was good, and life was peaceful. As a full-time homemaker, Wafaa enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, content with her role as a wife and mother.
A Knock in the Night
However, everything changed in 2012. One fateful night in February, a loud, urgent knock on the door woke Wafaa and her family. A group of men dressed in black stormed into the house, speaking harshly and refusing to identify their authority. They asked for Wafaa’s husband by name, and without further explanation, took him away. His parting words to her were, “Don’t be afraid, I’ll be back soon.” But days turned into weeks, then months, with no news of his whereabouts.
Wafaa waited for eight agonizing months, holding on to the hope that her husband would return. But instead of a reunion, she received a death certificate. The official document simply stated that her husband had died of an illness, with no further details. She never saw his body, didn’t know where he was buried, and was left with unanswered questions that would haunt her forever. This cruel loss shattered her world, leaving her without the pillar of strength she had once relied on.
Fleeing to Jordan
With her husband gone, Wafaa had no time to grieve. Her focus shifted to her two sons, Wesam, who was four years old, and Taim, just two. Desperate to protect her children, she reached out to her family in Amman, Jordan, and within a week, she and her boys had fled Syria, finding refuge with her parents and sister in their modest home.
Wafaa’s story is one of countless similar tragedies that unfolded during the Syrian war. Though her sons were too young to fully comprehend the loss of their father, Wafaa, like many traditional Arab women, found herself navigating a world that had been turned upside down. Overnight, her stable, happy life was replaced by uncertainty and struggle.
But despite the challenges, her children became her greatest source of comfort. “They’re good boys,” she said with pride. “They work hard in school and even help during the holidays by working at a local shop. They keep fifty dinars (about 70 USD) for themselves and give me 100 JOD (approx. 140 USD) to help with household expenses.” This small gesture of love and responsibility brought a smile to Wafaa’s face, easing the pain of her difficult journey.
Gratitude Amid Hardship
Wafaa’s transformation from a carefree housewife to a hardworking single mother was a difficult one. But she found solace in the presence of her parents and children. “I’m lucky,” she said. “Some people have lost everything. I still have my family, and for that, I’m grateful.”
She is also deeply thankful for Tzu Chi’s support, which not only covered her sons’ school fees but also provided them with valuable life lessons through the teachings of Jing Si Aphorisms. Under this guidance, her boys have grown into thoughtful, responsible young men who help lighten their mother’s burden.
In April 2023, with the assistance of the United Nations, Wafaa and her sons were granted permission to immigrate to Canada. For the sake of her children’s future, she embraced this new chapter of her life with courage and determination, carrying with her the blessings and hopes of those she left behind.
Lighting the Path for the Next Generation
Tzu Chi’s involvement in the lives of Syrian refugee children in Jordan began in 2016, starting with 29 students at Aloula Jordanian School. By 2019, the number of children receiving Tzu Chi’s assistance had grown to 142. In 2020, these students were transferred to the International Knowledge Bridges School, which offered a better learning environment.
As of September 2024, Tzu Chi sponsors 105 children at this school. Though some families have since immigrated or moved on, Tzu Chi’s dedication to these children remains unwavering.
Volunteers continued to provide not only financial aid but also emotional support, nurturing the students’ spirits through distribution of school supplies, teaching Jing Si Aphorisms, and ongoing care. With every effort, they seek to illuminate a brighter future for these young lives, ensuring that, despite the hardships of war, these children can still dream of a hopeful tomorrow.
Wafaa’s story, like those of so many others, is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and community. Together, these small lights form a beacon of hope, guiding the way for future generations to rise above adversity and build a better world.
