A Journey to Save a Life

My experience as a Social mobilization specialist within the Syria Immunization Group always puts me in a harsh confrontation with a bitter reality. When I see a marginalized house, I know deep down that there is almost a certainty that there are children at risk of death. We call them “zero-dose children”, those who have not received any vaccine dose since birth. My curiosity was not just curiosity; it was a drive to save lives, and this house was an indirect invitation that could not be ignored. But getting there was not easy. The geographical nature of the area imposed a difficult challenge on us. The road was harsh and long, full of dangers that multiplied with every step. On that winter day, the sky was not merciful. Thunder was deafening, lightning lit up the dark sky, and the bitter cold made the temperature drop below five degrees Celsius. The ground was covered in mud, making every step seem like a new battle. When we finally arrived at the house, we faced the painful reality. The father was helpless and unable to move, while the entire family lived in very poor economic conditions. In a situation like this, how could a family like this even think of going to vaccinate their children? Their priorities were far from health, their only goal was daily survival. And yet, we managed to vaccinate the children. The feeling was indescribable: small injections that carry life, new hope that we planted in small bodies. We left the house knowing that what we did today could be the difference between life and death for these children. This is not just a mission, it is a daily battle to save lives, a battle that cannot be won without your support.