Hope for Intesar

Thirteen-year-old Intesar Saleh Al-Hafashi lives in Sana’a in Yemen with her mother, six brothers and three sisters. Intesar likes school because she says her teachers are nice.

Intesar and her family live in a small two-room rented apartment. It is very dark and humid; lacking in any ventilation. The family’s water is taken from a communal tank, but is often dirty, so one of the children has to go and fetch clean water from people living close-by. The family cannot afford to buy meat and vegetables. They often have to borrow food from the shop and frequently can afford only to eat bread and cheese or bread and tea.

Intesar’s father died in 2002 after suffering from cirrhosis of the liver for three years. The family struggled to afford his medicine and the three eldest girls had to take jobs as cleaners as well as attending school.

Intesar’s mother also took a job as a cleaner. She cleaned at a local textile factory, but the factory closed down three years ago and she has been unable to find another job. Miriam depends on the small income of two of her children and the sponsorship of another four of her children; two by IR and two by the Red Crescent.

“Without IR and the Red Crescent we probably would have to beg in the street,” says Miriam.

“I feel that our life will change for the better. The support of IR and the Red Crescent makes me feel this. I hope my brothers will find a job and we will live in a better flat. When my family is happy I will be happy. I want to be a journalist as I like writing and photography,” says Intesar.