“When he first came to me, he was so small and quiet. I could feel his fear — he didn’t cry much, just looked around with those big eyes. I held him close and whispered You’re safe now,” says his caregiver, Mama Basma.
One year ago, Karam’s life began in tragedy. His mother was injured and died while giving birth. He was just one day old when a rescue worker brought him to the SOS Children’s Village in Rafah. With no surviving family members, he was referred by the Ministry of Social Development and SOS Children’s Villages partner organizations for long-term care.
Now, Karam is healthy and deeply attached to the woman who has become like a mother to him.
Born into war, raised with love
“There were hard days, of course. Nights when he wouldn't sleep, times when he fell sick and I stayed up praying by his side. But each little smile reminded me that love doesn’t need blood to grow,” says Mama Basma.
“It wasn’t just me raising him; the whole village gave a hand. The other caregivers helped me; the older children played with him. He brought us all together in a way we hadn’t felt in years,” she adds.
Since the evacuation of the Rafah village due to heavy fighting, Karam and other children under SOS Children’s Villages' care have been living in tents in Khan Younis. Conditions are difficult, with limited access to food, water, and medical care. But despite the hardships, Basma and the SOS Children’s Villages team work to give the children structure, affection, and hope.
Karam is one of 46 children currently living under the care of SOS Children’s Villages in the Khan Younis camp. Some were displaced from Rafah, others, like Karam, were referred during the war — children who lost their families or were separated during evacuations. Our teams continue to work with the Ministry of Social Development to trace extended families and explore safe reunification options, though the war has made this work increasingly difficult.
Each child receives shelter, nutrition, psychological first aid, and emotional support from a dedicated team of caregivers, psychologists, and social workers.
“Each day is a struggle for survival,” says Reem Alreqeb, Gaza Programme Director for SOS Children’s Villages in Palestine. “We begin by assessing the immediate needs, ensuring the children are safe, trying to secure enough food and clean water, and addressing any medical or psychological emergencies that arise.”
The future remains uncertain for many of the children, especially those without extended family.
“Some of these children have lost all known relatives during the war,” Reem explains. “For those who have no family, we facilitate fostering when possible. The best outcome would be for each child to find a safe and loving family where their rights are protected, and their emotional and developmental needs are fully supported.”
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, at least 39,384 children have lost one or both parents since October 2023, with 17,000 having lost both.
Community celebration of life and strength
There is currently no new information about Karam’s biological family. If the security situation improves and fostering becomes feasible again, there is hope that a suitable family may one day be found to care for him. For now, Karam continues to grow and develop in the care of SOS Children’s Villages.
He now has his first four baby teeth, has started taking his first steps, and recently said his first word: “Mama.”
On his birthday, at the end of April, Karam was celebrated by everyone in the camp. Basma organised the party at her own expense, purchasing decorations, preparing special food, and dressing him in a new custom outfit for the occasion.
“His first birthday felt like a festival. We danced, cooked together, and sang songs just for him. ‘This child carries the spirit of hope.’ And truly, it felt like we were celebrating not just his life, but the strength of our community.”
*Name changed to protect privacy