Healing the Heart of a Young Orphan 

One day, Ali stopped being the loud child full of confidence.

Ali is seven years old and lives in Nabatieh, Lebanon. After losing his father at a young age, he struggled with grief that was deepened by the trauma of war and displacement, leaving him anxious and withdrawn.

At school, trembling hands, sudden outbursts, and long moments of silence began to replace the confidence he once had in class. Lessons he used to enjoy became a struggle, and at home his mother watched as her cheerful little boy grew quiet and distant.

For years, Ali’s pain went untreated. His family could offer love and protection, but not the professional support he needed to process what he had been through.

That changed when Ali joined The Zahra Trust’s Psychological and Emotional Support Programme. Through therapy sessions focused on emotional healing, communication, and rebuilding self confidence, he was given a safe space to express his feelings and begin to recover.

Over time, Ali started smiling again, joining group activities, and sharing stories about his father, something he had not been able to do before. His teachers described him as more focused and eager to learn, and his mother saw his laughter return.

“My child is smiling and communicating freely for the first time in years. He regained his childhood through these sessions. Thank you for giving us hope again,” his mother shared.

Ali’s story is one child within a wider effort to support children affected by conflict and displacement through psychosocial care. Following the assessment, Ali received regular psychological and occupational therapy of two sessions per week for over three months, helping ensure continuity of care and steady progress. It does not erase what a child has endured, but it can help them feel safe enough to reconnect, to learn, and to find their voice again.