Nizar, a 45-year-old Lebanese community member and a Person with Specific Needs (PwSN) at home in a substandard building in Majdal Anjar in Bekaa Valley on the 14th of November 2023. ©Medair/Abdul Dennaoui
“While I am blessed to have my wife, who is also my caregiver, by my side, I prefer not to be overly reliant on others. The more mobile and independent I am, the happier I am” says Nizar.
In the heart of Majdal Anjar, located in the Bekaa Valley I met a resilient and compassionate individual named Nizar. Nizar, 45 years old, is a Lebanese community member and also a person with specific needs. Life has always been extremely challenging for him. Since his early years, Nizar has been without the ability to see and has faced many health and physical challenges growing up. Despite facing numerous challenges posed by his disabilities and enduring the ongoing socio-economic crisis in Lebanon, his generous spirit and genuine character shone through during our conversation.
Wadih, Medair’s shelter assistant highlights the uneven surface within the home of a Lebanese household including a Person with Specific Needs (PwSN) living in a substandard building in Majdal Anjar in Bekaa Valley on the 14th of November 2023. The installation of tiles is intended to create a seamless surface throughout the flooring in the family’s home, enhancing accessibility for the mobility of the Person with Specific Needs (PwSN). ©Medair/Abdul Dennaoui
Living as a person with specific needs in a substandard building, he’s long endured the struggles of an inadequate living environment. With time, living in substandard homes becomes increasingly challenging for individuals with specific needs. The mismatch between the nature of substandard homes and the unique requirements of those with specific needs creates an environment that is not conducive to their well-being and poses increasing challenges to their daily lives.
“The years have brought on many health challenges and physical restrictions for me as you can see, yet the most significant challenge of them all, is navigating my own home,” he says chuckling. “It’s so difficult to get around the house in my condition. It’s physically very tiring and requires excessive effort on my part, because of the uneven flooring and deteriorating surfaces around. I wake up most days with a sore body and pain in my joints. It poses a daily challenge for me because it hinders my mobility and my independence around the house, and I like my independence. Simple tasks like going to the bathroom, or to the kitchen for some water, become very challenging to execute, and the lack of accessibility is taking a toll on my well-being. I am a determined person, so when I set my sights on achieving something, I pursue it regardless of the challenges. While I am blessed to have my wife, who is also my caregiver, by my side, I prefer not to be overly reliant on others. The more mobile and independent I am, the happier I am.”
Wadih, Medair’s shelter assistant inspects contractors’ work during the installation of tiles in the home of a Lebanese household including a Person with Specific Needs (PwSN) living in a substandard building in Majdal Anjar in Bekaa Valley on the 14th of November 2023. The installation of tiles is intended to create a seamless surface for the flooring in the family home, enhancing accessibility for the mobility of the Person with Specific Needs (PwSN) ©Medair/Abdul Dennaoui
As Medair’s shelter staff meticulously inspects the tiles being installed, a sense of anticipation fills the air. The shelter team dedicated their efforts to carrying out an essential renovation on Nizar’s home. As uneven floors can impede smooth transfers from one surface to another, the installation of tiles provides a smooth and even surface, enabling Nizar to move freely at home without straining his joints. This rehabilitation not only promises a steady surface for the Lebanese household but also symbolizes a profound change in Nizar’s life, offering newfound freedom and dignity within the familiar walls he calls home.
Medair services in The Bekaa Valley, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and generous private donors.
This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organization.
