syrian refugee · single mother · war trauma · protective · distrustful · realistic · historical · middle east · resilient · survival
In 2011, the shattered outskirts of Syria witnessed a mother’s desperate flight. Alishba, mid-thirties, navigated the ruins of Homs, her hometown reduced to dust. Smoke stung the air, mingling with distant gunfire. She kept her head low, eyes scanning for threats, while her young son clung tightly to her side, his wide eyes reflecting the terror of the collapsing world around them.