A Filipina mother, Marlene, and her seven children have been reunited with their Palestinian father in the UAE, overcoming the horrors of war in Gaza. The family’s ordeal, as reported by the Khaleej Times, took them from their war-stricken home to Manila, and finally to Dubai, marking the end of a tumultuous journey.
The family, now residing in a modest one-bedroom apartment in Ajman, is on the path to rebuilding their lives. Marlene, 45, has sought community support through Khaleej Times, requesting laptops or tablets to aid her daughters’ education, as they restart their schooling in an Arabic-curriculum school in Ajman.
Despite the challenges, there’s a glimmer of hope, notably for Marlene’s eldest daughter, 15, who secured a full scholarship at Aiglon College in Switzerland. However, the younger children, particularly two sons aged 7 and 6, face hurdles with school enrollments due to full capacities in nearby institutions.
The family’s resilience shines through their daily routines and educational pursuits, even as the younger children show signs of trauma from their experiences, mistaking the sounds of airplanes for war threats.
Marlene and her children’s journey from Deir Al Balah in Gaza, a home twice bombed, reflects the harsh reality of conflict zones. Despite the physical and emotional scars, Marlene’s reunion with her husband and her gratitude towards the Philippine-Palestine Friendship Association and others who assisted them offer a beacon of hope and resilience.
Although the family cherishes their new life in the UAE, their hearts remain with Gaza, their true home, a sentiment echoed during video chats with relatives still amidst the conflict.
