Stories
Kardelen has made an impact in the lives of those we serve. Here are two stories of lives transformed because of our Mercy Teams and programs.
RAHMA BAMBU
The Power of a Caring Team
Rahma is a loving, little girl from a family with two children. Her mother, Ä°men, had a difficult pregnancy and birth and, as a result, Rahma's hands and feet are underdeveloped and she has difficulty speaking. She moved with her family from Iraq to Türkiye in 2016 and came to Kardelen Mercy Teams in 2018. When we met Rahma she had a difficult time retaining new information, struggled to hold items like a pen, did not talk much, could not read or write, and it was difficult for her to stay focused. Over the past few years, we have seen her grow tremendously. Through physical therapy and participation in the Individualized Education Program, she is able to focus and understand instructions and she can even hold a pen and draw simple pictures. By participating in our Turkish language program, she can also form simple sentences and is learning how to read.
Rahma was recently seen by a local pediatrician who reviewed her health records and monitored her progress. He was completely surprised by the gains she had made and closely questioned Ä°men about her new skills. Ä°men explained that Kardelen Mercy Teams had been providing weekly training for both Rahma and herself and that Rahma responded well to our caring team. The doctor suggested that things were going very well and he encouraged Ä°men to make sure to continue the special education that Kardelen offers to her daughter. Ä°men left that visit feeling elated with Rahma’s progress. She related her story to us with such great joy and we thanked and praised the Lord for this.
LITTLE MUTEZ
Freedom to Move
When Mutez was a little boy growing up in Iraq, he loved playing outside of his home. But one day, at the age of five, his world completely changed when a bomb exploded near him. He was fortunate to have survived, but his legs were severely damaged. He has had three surgeries since that accident and is still not able to walk.
His mother lived in fear of an accident like this happening. After the explosion, it became clear that her home was no longer safe. With the imminent threat of more violence, they felt they had no other choice but to leave Iraq and seek refuge in Türkiye. When they arrived here in 2016 they found support from a local refugee ministry that connected them to Kardelen.
Since the bomb explosion, Mutez has been confined to a wheelchair that was too big for him. He was unable to steer it himself and required the help of another family member to get around. This grew to frustrate him. Even to go to school, a family member had to accompany him to take him to each of his classes. It is hard to imagine being in his situation as a young boy unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair he cannot control.
Recently, Kardelen was able to give Mutez a new wheelchair that was much lighter, easier to steer, and appropriate for his size. He was elated! He can now steer himself and move around without the help of others. With this new wheelchair he will be able to attend school on his own and move about with more freedom.
