Hussein was fetching water for the family when he walked on a landmine. HI supports him to rebuild his life.
Hussein lives in a small rural downtown in Al Duraihimi District, Hudaydah Governorate, near the Red Sea. On October 2022 - he was ten at that time - the boy woke up at the hospital and found himself a double amputee following a landmine explosion.
A normal child
Hussein loved school. He was a bright and curious child, studying until the third grade. Every morning, he would go to school, carrying his books and returning home to help his family with daily tasks like fetching water on his donkey. But the area is littered with landmines and remnants of war, posing a constant risk to villagers.
To go to fetch water
Hussein was making his way back home on his donkey. Suddenly, the sound of a deafening explosion shattered the air. A landmine, hidden beneath the dirt, detonated under the donkey, tearing it apart and inflicting devastating injuries on Hussein. The explosion took both of Hussein’s legs.
Grave physical and psychological impact
He was no longer able to walk, run, or play like other children. He had to stop attending school. The psychological distress was immense. Hussein became anxious, withdrawn, and fearful of venturing outside, knowing the dangers that lurked in his community. He had first a wheelchair but the sandy streets and treacherous terrain of his village made movement nearly impossible.
HI centre at Al-Thawra Hospital
A turning point in Hussein’s recovery came when HI opened the Artificial Limbs Centre at Al-Thawra Hospital in 2024. Hussein was admitted as a patient and would receive prosthetic limbs, giving him the chance to walk again. This news filled Hussein and his family with hope, as it represented the possibility of reclaiming his independence and returning to school to pursue his dreams.
The path of physiotherapy
Hussein received physical therapy to prepare for the use of prosthetic limbs. The sessions focused on strengthening his upper body and improving his mobility with assistive devices such as a wheelchair.
Hussein’s progress has been remarkable. Though he still faces challenges, the rehabilitation services have given him a sense of purpose and the tools to overcome obstacles. He now looks forward to the day when he can walk with his new prosthetic limbs, return to school, and play with his friends.
“I just want to stand and walk again,” Hussein says. “I want to go back to school and play with my friends. I want to be like other children."
Hussein’s father expressed deep gratitude HI support, saying:
“The services provided have been tremendous. They didn’t just help Hussein physically they gave him hope. They also helped us as a family by covering transportation costs and providing the care he needed. We are so thankful.”
Risk Education sessions were also conducted in his village, contributing to a noticeable reduction in related incidents.
To go back to school
HI provided financial support to cover the family’s transportation costs to and from the hospital, ensuring Hussein could access the care he needed without additional financial strain.
Hussein’s progress is a source of joy and pride, but challenges remain. The family is poor, the village’s lack of basic services like water, health facilities, and safe roads adds to the burden.
As Hussein prepares to receive his prosthetic limbs, he is filled with dreams of walking, returning to school, and playing with his friends once again.
