Through the sands: Tala's road to healing

The day after being discharged, Tala had to walk to the hospital to have her dressings changed. She had to climb through soft, shifting sand that pressed painfully on her incisions. Her muscles cramped with every step. She could barely move.

‘I couldn’t walk,’ Tala says. ‘It hurt so much, and I was scared I would make the wound worse. I didn’t know how I would get the care I needed.’

Tala receives vital care from Anera

Thanks to funding from Tearfund, Anera's medical team began visiting Tala in the tent where she lives. Their medical team cleaned the wound, changed the dressing, and treated the infection. ‘The fluids have to drain,’ one of her health workers said. ‘[Otherwise], she can become very sick. Cleaning the wound every day keeps her safe.’

After three weeks of home care, Tala’s wound began healing, her strength returned, and she was finally able to go back to school. 

Returning to class was a major milestone for Tala and her family after weeks of weakness, pain, and limited mobility.

‘Now I can go to school, and I feel like myself again,’ Tala says.

In these profoundly challenging conditions, where most hospitals have been destroyed or severely damaged, medical care is limited, so these interventions are not just treatment, they are life-saving.

Reflecting on that time, Islam, Tala’s mother, said, ‘I didn’t know how I could take care of her in this tent. The sand gets everywhere. I was terrified I would hurt her.’

Anera’s medical team not only supported Tala, but also explained to Islam why daily care was essential, teaching her how to safely care for her daughter at home and minimise the risk of new infections, even in the cold, damp, sandy conditions.

The team trained Islam to clean the wound, change bandages, manage the drainage, and recognise danger signs.

‘Every day I care for her in this tent, through the sand and the cold. I am helping her grow stronger and reminding her she is loved,’ Islam ends.

Our work with Anera in Gaza

Tearfund is currently working with Anera to fund three clinics, including the one through which Tala received care. They also provide hot meals and other basic supplies to communities in need, thanks to funding from Tearfund. Through Anera, we are also helping humanitarian workers manage the psychological impact of their work in such distressing circumstances.

Following Jesus where the need is greatest

Through Anera, we’re able to follow Jesus where the need is greatest and show his love and compassion for communities in desperate need.

With persistent breaches of the ceasefire and limited aid access, the situation remains incredibly precarious for people in Gaza. Your faithful support not only responds to God’s call to love our neighbour, but it also ensures we can continue to serve people like Tala and Islam, who are affected by ongoing instability in Gaza.