Cemal, war orphan from syria

Cemal, how did you come to the SOS Children's Village?
We ran away from Ghouta at night. Suddenly someone shot at us. Mom fell down and screamed. Dad ran back to help her. He shouted to my brother and me to keep running. And not to look back. Just run. Eventually we came to a house with soldiers. There we waited for Mama and Papa. But they did not come. Not that night and not the next day. Then a man took us to the SOS Children's Village.

How are you and your brother doing there?
It's nice here and I have my own bed! Abdullah and I go back to school now. And there are always children there to play, I like that!

Is there anything you don't like?
Sleeping.

Would you like to tell me why you don't like to go to sleep?
When I fall asleep, I dream very bad things. My brother dreams bad dreams. That's why we don't want to go to bed at night. We read funny books until our SOS mother Wardeh turns out the light. Wardeh sometimes sleeps in my room so I'm not afraid.

Is there someone you can talk to about the nightmares?
There is a woman who comes twice a week, I can tell her everything and she doesn't tell anyone in the world.

Do these sessions with the child psychologist help you?
I think so. I can already learn better at school. But I am still afraid.

Do you talk to your brother about what you have experienced?
I talk. But Abdullah does not answer. He doesn't want to talk about it. But that's okay. He was there, it helps me. He knows what I know. We have the same dreams and hear mom screaming.

What do you like most about the SOS Children's Village?
That we can play here. And that I've made friends.

Can you tell me something else about your SOS mother Wardeh?
She is beautiful and very sweet. And she can cook well. We often help her cook. Then we all sit together at the kitchen table and talk and laugh together.

What is your biggest wish, Cemal?
That Mom and Dad come and pick up Abdullah and me.

Im Sommer 2019 durften unsere Schweizer Kolleginnen mit einigen Kriegswaisen aus den SOS-Kinderdörfern über ihre Erlebnisse und die Traumatherapie sprechen. Im nachfolgenden Video sehen Sie die neunjährige Rema, welche durch eine Maltherapie versucht, das Erlebte zu verarbeiten.