Dreaming of parenthood: Adnan and Tahreer’s unimaginable journey through loss

It was love at first sight when Adnan first laid his eyes on Tahreer while they were both still in university. From that moment, he knew she was the one he wanted to spend his life with. Two years later, their dreams came true as they got married "after the 2014 war" in January 2015, on Tahreer's 23rd birthday. Their love blossomed in the shadow of conflict, but they remained hopeful for a bright future together.

Adnan remembers their wedding vividly, not just because of their joy but because they were anxiously awaiting his brother's return from Turkey, where he had received treatment after being injured by a missile that fell in front of their house. In Gaza, important life events are often intertwined with the echoes of war, a painful reminder that peace is fragile and fleeting.

The struggle to build a family

Like any newlyweds, Adnan and Tahreer were full of hope and excitement as they embarked on their journey to build a family. However, months turned into years, and their hopes dimmed as they struggled to conceive. Friends around them were celebrating new additions to their families, while Adnan and Tahreer remained childless. The pressure from their families and society grew with each passing day, and the pain of their unfulfilled dreams weighed heavily on their hearts. Tahreer did become pregnant twice, but both times ended in devastating miscarriages. They found themselves trapped in a cycle of heartbreak and despair, longing for the family they had always imagined.

Turning to IVF: a costly hope

Determined not to give up, they saved every penny and travelled to Egypt for IVF treatment, clinging to the hope that science could give them the miracle they yearned for. Adnan's family owned a thriving wedding dress business, and he also earned money playing football. After five rounds of exhausting and costly IVF treatments over two years, their prayers were finally answered. In January 2021, their beautiful baby girl, Omnia, was born. The joy that filled their hearts was indescribable—she was perfect, a symbol of their love and perseverance.

Tragedy strikes: losing Omnia

But their happiness was short-lived. When Omnia was just ten months old, a tragic accident stole her away from them. Some food got stuck in her airway, and despite their desperate efforts, she suffocated and passed away. Their world shattered into a million pieces. "The biggest loss in my whole life I'll never forget... She was my heart. My whole life has lost its beating heart," Adnan recalls with tears in his eyes.

She was my heart. My whole life has lost its beating heart

A second attempt: more heartbreak

Grief-stricken but unwilling to surrender to despair, they returned to Egypt, holding on to the last few embryos they had left at the clinic. This time, fortune seemed to favour them again—Tahreer became pregnant with a baby boy. They named him Mahmoud, and their hearts swelled with cautious hope. But in the ninth month of pregnancy, their worst fears resurfaced. Tahreer sensed something was wrong and rushed to the doctor, only to hear the devastating words—her placenta had dropped, and their precious baby boy was gone. Another unbearable loss, another shattered dream. Mahmoud was born via C-section and buried next to his sister Omnia.

A year of healing and stability

After enduring so much suffering, Tahreer decided to postpone the idea of childbearing to focus on recovering her health and rebuilding their lives. She poured her energy into creating a beautiful home for her and Adnan, furnishing it with the latest designs, and opened a shop selling evening dresses. For a time, they experienced a year of stability and happiness, a reprieve from the chaos that had consumed their lives. But fate, once again, had other plans.

The war that took everything

As if fate had not tested them enough, war returned with a vengeance less than a year later. Their home was bombed, their family business reduced to rubble, and Adnan could no longer play football. They were forced to flee, seeking shelter in a makeshift tent near their former home in Khan Younis. Since then, their lives have depended on aid, their days filled with uncertainty and hardship. "I have been suffering for eight years without stopping. I'm psychologically tired of life in general", recounts Tahreer, "We have nothing left, I have not even found the graves of our children". She also lost her brother in the war.

I'm psychologically tired of life in general

Struggling to survive

One morning last week, when I checked in with Adnan, I asked if he had breakfast. "Of course not. I don't have breakfast. I eat one meal a day. We have some canned food… our main basis of breakfast is bread… but there is no flour," he said with resignation. That same day, I made a donation, and Adnan was able to buy flour, chicken, and some vegetables. He sent me pictures of the meal they had prepared, a rare moment of comfort in their struggle.

I have not even found the graves of our children

How you can help

Adnan and Tahreer's needs are far from met. With your help, we can provide them with healthy, fulfilling meals and help them afford rent for the apartment they have managed to secure since the ceasefire. Though half of their building has been bombed beyond repair, their section still stands—barely. It lacks windows and basic amenities, but it has a roof to keep the rain away, offering a glimmer of stability in an otherwise chaotic world. Click here to find their donation link.

Your support can make a difference. Your generosity can help Adnan and Tahreer rebuild their lives and find hope amidst their sorrow. Every donation, big or small, brings them one step closer to a brighter future. Thank you for your kindness. Together we are powerful.