Sustainable Hope
A chance encounter in a Gaza health clinic builds a long friendship and hope for a future.
BY ELIZABETH ALEX
While visiting a health clinic in The Gaza Strip, I spotted an obviously distraught mother carrying a baby with the biggest brown eyes and longest lashes I had ever seen. Aside from the baby’s captivating eyes, I could see she had serious health problems. Her mother, whose name is Intisar, said her little girl’s name was Doa’a, which I was told means “prayer of hope.”
It was the spring of 2002, in the aftermath of 9/11, when I had the opportunity to travel as a journalist to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories with Heart to Heart International delivering humanitarian aid as a good will gesture from the American people.
Through the clinic physician who spoke English, I struck up a conversation with Intisar. I learned Doa’a was born with clubbed feet, clubbed hands, and her hips out of joint: a health condition called arthrogryposis. I happened to have a four-year old daughter at home who had no catastrophic health issues but would have the best medical care should she ever need it. Intisar’s obvious agony was not lost on me. As moms we wanted the same things for our children despite the fact we came from different cultures and lived in vastly different worlds. I wanted to help.
Doa’a could not get the care she desperately needed in Gaza. When I arrived back in Kansas City, I got to work securing doctors, a hospital, and the necessary paperwork to bring Doa’a and her parents here for medical care. Viewers from my television station, KSHB 41 Action news, the local Palestinian community, contacts at Medical Missions Foundation and my family and friends helped. Together, we brought Doa’a and her parents to the United States.
Doa’a arrived in Kansas City in September of 2002 and had the first of several surgeries at St. Joseph Carondolet, a Catholic hospital. Her care was arranged by a Muslim woman who led the hospital’s business development. She received physical therapy for free with a well-respected physical therapist team at the Jewish Community Center. Former Congressman Dennis Moore, a democrat from Kansas, and a representative in the Bush White House helped secure humanitarian visas. The Kansas City Jewish community was instrumental in getting permits for the family to travel out of Tel Aviv and continued to support Doa’a for return trips.
It was amazing to see so many people come together offering direct aid to one little brown-eyed baby girl who was in crisis. Her parents, Intisar and Emad were touched beyond belief at the Americans who cared. The surgeries and therapies gave Doa’a the ability to stand, walk, and play.
The giving was a two-way street. Doa’a and her parents enriched many lives during the time they spent in the United States. They became a part of family birthday celebrations, trips to our lake house, museum outings and swimming parties. In turn, Intisar treated us to amazing Arab food, an introduction to Islam, trips to Mosques, and many hours of discussion about world peace and shared hopes for our children.
As a result of her treatment Doa’a is able to walk and has some, although not complete function in her hands. While she lives with physical limitations made even more difficult due to the lack of resources where she lives, Doa’a has a strong will and a sharp mind. Her potential is limitless.
“My dream is to continue my education ”
We last saw Doa’a more than ten years ago. We had hoped she could return to the United States for continued physical and occupational therapy. But the political situation around the world put that plan on hold.
However, Doa’a’s mother, her dad Emad, and her siblings continued to advocate for her and encouraged her education. This past summer Doa’a graduated from high school. She is now studying in information technology, developing mobile programs and design. “My dream is to continue my education and what I always dream about is to continue my treatment, “ she said.
United Aid Foundation is raising funds to help Doa’a achieve her goals. She will need funds for tuition, a laptop, a smart phone (to record lectures and take photos of notes), plus transportation and some health related expenses. If you can help, please make your tax deductible donation here.
I have known Doa’a and her parents since she was a baby. We have shared lots of laughter and many tears as we all worked together to help their beautiful little girl, now an accomplished young woman. I know Doa’a will study hard and make the most of the gift of an education, given to her by Americans who still care.
Elizabeth Alex is a board member of United Aid Foundation. She is a world traveler, Emmy-award winning storyteller and public affairs director at Kansas City University.