Samael’s story is a heart-wrenching one that has deeply moved us at the Taiwan Reyhanli Centre. It’s a story of a young man whose life has been shattered by the horrors of war and its devastating consequences. Samael Samer Shalabi was born in 1991 in HOMS, Syria’s third-largest city, and his life changed forever when he was hit by two shots in the spine and one in the lungs. He was left to suffer from inadequate resources in field hospitals and serious misdiagnosis.
The situation worsened when an overdose of anesthetic made him fall asleep for several days, and he was left unattended. The wound slowly ulcerated, and he had to amputate his leg. After several days of fighting, he finally saved his right leg and his life, but he was left disabled and vulnerable.
Samael was transferred to Turkey, where the government provides some support to Syrian refugees, but it is undoubtedly worse for a poor disabled person like him. In today’s Turkey, the value of the currency has plummeted and inflation is at a high speed. All Syrian refugees at the bottom of society bear the brunt, and although the government provides about NT$2,400 to Samael, this situation is undoubtedly worse for a poor disabled person. He lives in a basement apartment with one pair of torn, blood-stained pants and relies on the relief of neighbors for three meals a day. Khaled, who now accompanies him every day, often feels Samael’s loneliness as his relatives in Syria cannot contact him due to the oppression and control of those in power back in Syria. Samael has worn diapers for the past six years and requires a urinary catheter to manage his needs, rarely being able to get out of bed.
He needs medical care, nursing care, rehabilitation, and vocational training to be self-sufficient, and that is where we need your support. The Taiwan Reyhanli Centre is committed to helping refugees like Samael to regain their dignity, hope, and independence. We want to give him a chance to live a meaningful life, to dream of a future where he can be reunited with his loved ones and be self-sufficient. Khaled his carer said, “facing his pale cheeks, I was speechless. He said he hoped he could get up again, walk back to his hometown, see his mother again, kneel in front of her and kiss her hands softly again.”
Our two-year plan for Samael includes medical treatment, rehabilitation, nursing, and vocational training, which will cost NT$1.2 million. With your help, we can make a real difference in Samael’s life and leave a lasting impact on the world under the flames of war. We believe that every life is precious and deserves to be treated with compassion and respect, and we hope that you will join us in supporting Samael’s journey towards a brighter future.