Laya's Story
11 May 2005
Laya Her name is Ulayya, but
everyone knows her as Laya. The nine-year-old has suffered from heart
disease since birth and has regular medical checks, but that is not
what almost killed her.
When the deadly tsunami
struck her city, Laya and her family were swept away in its lethal
waters. Laya almost drowned, but managed to cling to a piece of
floating wood. It probably saved her life.
Her family were not so lucky. Laya’s mother, father and younger sister all died in the disaster, and her home was destroyed.
Laya lives with her grandparents now. Their home was also destroyed, so
they have moved into a house belonging to a relative. Laya’s
61-year-old grandfather tries to support his family with a part-time
job.
Laya and her grandparents
The traumatic experience of being caught up in the tsunami has robbed
Laya of her confidence and she is afraid to be left alone. Although
Laya cannot find the words to talk about her loss, it is constantly on
her mind. Instead she preserves her memories of her beloved family in
her diary, and in the pictures she puts up on her bedroom door.
Laya recalls how her mother would buy her chocolates and candies from
the market, and how her father often took her out to eat her favourite
fast foods. She remembers the fun she used to have playing and singing
with her little sister.Every afternoon Laya’s grandmother takes her to
school. Her old school was destroyed by the tsunami, so she’s moved to
a new one. She is also learning how to pray, and reads the Qur’an well.
Laya's diary
 Laya enjoys making friends, and buys little gifts of chocolates and
cookies for them. She tells us that her best friends are called Mutia
and Icha.
Laya also helps her grandmother with the
housework. Her grandmother wants her to grow up as a healthy, caring
child who is helpful to others. Her grandfather would like to see Laya
regain her confidence.
Meanwhile, Laya wishes that her life would return to normal, and hopes
that people around her will take care of orphans like herself, and love
and help them.
Laya is just one of the many children who was orphaned by the tsunami.
She is fortunate to have loving grandparents who want take care of her.
Islamic Relief’s Orphan Sponsorship programme has also found a sponsor
in France who is helping to ensure Laya’s basic needs are met.
There are many other children like Laya, waiting for sponsors to help return a little normality to their shattered lives.
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