Children & education
Custom assistive devices empower three disabled Gaza siblings amid conflict
UN OCHA funding and EducAid’s tailored equipment gave a 10‑year‑old, a 15‑year‑old and a 17‑year‑old in Gaza the tools to write, eat and move independently despite ongoing violence.
Targeted aid bridges disability gap
In a densely populated Gaza Strip where conflict limits access to specialised care, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs allocated funds for disability assistance. International NGO EducAid used the resources to design and produce bespoke equipment for three siblings—Anas, 10; Mohammad, 15; and Sujood, 17—each born without legs and with only two fingers per hand. Prior to the intervention, the children relied on crawling and constant caregiver support for basic tasks such as eating, writing and moving within their tented shelter, underscoring the acute need for adaptive solutions.
Tailored technology restores daily independence
EducAid equipped Anas with an upgraded wheelchair featuring a detachable table, a waterproof lower‑body shield and a custom pen grip, plus an adjustable slant table to stabilise his writing posture. Sujood received a size‑40 wheelchair fitted with a detachable dining table, the same protective shield and a hand‑walking aid, allowing her to sit upright while studying media‑related subjects. Mohammad’s kit included a specially adapted wheelchair with a small skateboard attachment for smoother mobility, a hand‑grip protector, a versatile table and a commode chair. Each device directly addressed the children’s limited hand strength and balance.
Education and dignity gains in a war zone
The new tools transformed daily routines: the siblings can now write without lying down, eat without assistance, and move outside their tent without soiling clothing. Their mother reported that the devices reduced physical strain and boosted morale, while a teacher observed markedly improved writing quality and heightened eagerness to learn. For Anas, Sujood and Mohammad, the assistive equipment not only eases physical challenges but also restores a sense of agency and hope amid ongoing hostilities, highlighting the critical role of disability‑focused humanitarian aid in Gaza.