Success Stories
Monday, 19 September 2016 08:44

Mohammad – Hebron District

Mohammad, from Al Arroub Refugee Camp, was arrested in 2013 at the age of 16. The Israeli Military raided his houseduring the night and beat him profusely as they took him and accused him of throwing stones. As the Israeli court failed to prove him guilty, he got released after spending six months in three different prisons.He came out with a very bad psychological situation feeling detached from all of his surroundings.

In less than a month, the YMCA counselor visited him and offered help. Mohammed received counseling sessions during which he was able to release the accumulated hard feelings he had inside, “They pushed me to say things I didn’t want to say, but it really helped me a lot”. Mohammed had no intentions or capacities to continue school, therefore the counselor started career counseling with him and noticed that Mohammed was talented in arts and design, a talent that both his family and his counselor encouraged him to pursue. The counselor referred him to the Vocational Assessment Unit at the YMCA to further examine his mental and physical abilities as well as his inclinations, and then he facilitated financial support to cover the training program in design for Mohammed. Mohammed works vigorously to save money and buy a professional camera. He is planning to become a photographer in the future.

It is worth noting that Mohammed’s two siblings, one is an ex-detainee and the other was injured by the Military, received psychosocial support through the YMCA. Their mother as well was helped to deal with her sons and take care of her psychological wellbeing. The YMCA counselors continue to check on Mohammed especially that the military keep going back to him and arresting him. Fortunately, he has developed good coping mechanisms and he is doing very well.

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