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“Before coming here, I didn’t realize how much I needed help. I felt lost and unsure of how to make my daughters feel safe again. Now, I see them smile more, I feel stronger, and I know I can support them because of everything I learned here.” – Amira
Amira, a 31-year-old woman from Sudan, faced unimaginable loss when a shell struck her home in August 2023. The explosion claimed the life of her 62-year-old father and left her family without a home. With nowhere to turn, she, her husband, and their two daughters, Laila and Ranya, fled Omdurman in search of safety. In July 2024, they arrived in Ajdabiya, Libya, hoping to rebuild their lives.
Haunted by trauma, Amira worried about her daughters, who had witnessed profound trauma. A Sudanese neighbor introduced her to the INTERSOS Baity Center, a UNICEFsupported program. Determined to help her children heal, she enrolled them in the center’s psychosocial support (PSS) and education programs. The change was almost immediate— Laila and Ranya became more engaged, found comfort in daily routines, and began to smile again.
Amira, too, embraced healing. Joining the center’s parenting sessions, she learned to manage stress, nurture her bond with her daughters, and rebuild stability. Simple acts—like celebrating small victories or weaving bedtime stories—rekindled trust. “I became more patient,” she reflects. “I realized their healing began with mine.” Human Interest Story | Over time, she became more patient and emotionally available, encouraging her daughters to express their feelings through storytelling and art.
Inspired by the center's activities, Amira discovered her own talent for recycling art— transforming paper, plastic, and other materials into beautiful crafts. With encouragement from the Baity team, she began leading crafting sessions, offering both parents and children a creative outlet to process emotions and build trust.
Baity empowered Amira to rebuild her relationship with her daughters, proving that even after profound loss, love and resilience can create a path forward. Her story underscores the transformative power of positive parenting programs, providing emotional support, practical tools, and creative spaces for healing.
Baity Centers, supported by UNICEF and its partners, offer vital education, child protection, and health awareness services. Thanks to donors including Education Cannot Wait, the European Union, and the governments of Japan, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, these centers continue to bring hope to families like Amira's, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate women like Amira, who rewrite their stories with courage, love, and unwavering resolve.
*Names changed for privacy.