Australia gives hope to Syrian boy badly injured by shelling
Life in Syria was wonderful, with all the amenities one would need to lead a comfortable life, until war changed everything. This is an account given by a Syrian woman who fled the town of Aleppo with her family in 2013 as a result of shelling that maimed her son, Khaled Al Shebli.
Aicha Al Shebli said Aleppo had all the facilities a modern city should have, such as doctors and schools, and was also relatively safe. However, it only took an instant to overhaul their life, which forced them to embark on a long journey and brought them to Australia.
"I was in the house, in the kitchen making dough for bread," she told Lateline. "It was early in the morning. The kids were outside, playing amongst the sheep. It was a nice warm day but then both sides started shelling, the government side and the [Free Syrian Army] side."
Her son, Khaled, was lying ill in bed inside when a rocket hit their homes and a fire ball entered his room and burned his face. "I believe something in the rocket was toxic, that's what burned his face off. The rest of his body was covered up and only the face was exposed," Al Shebli said.
It is still unknown to the family which side was responsible for the horrible burns their child had to suffer.
The following nine months were spent in a refugee camp in Lebanon where they met an Australian aid worker who brought their plight to the attention of the Australian ambassador posted there. He helped facilitate three operations on Khaled in Beirut.
After the family moved to Wollongong in south Sydney in December last year, they were granted refugee status. Only a few weeks back, Khaled, who is now 7 years old, already had the first of at least five operations he needs to undergo. The nose reconstruction has allowed him to breath easily.
Yunis, Khaled’s father, expressed his gratitude towards Lebanon for giving his family asylum and Australia for giving them a second chance in life.
"The lifestyle is good here and as long as you follow the laws, you will have a great life," he said. "No one will bother you. The schooling and medical help is all provided and everything runs smoothly."
He said he and his family are happy in Australia and the people here have been warm and accommodating. He also said that they have very little chances of returning to Syria.
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