In the rubble-strewn streets of Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, 10-year-old Sarah al-Barsh has become a symbol of extraordinary resilience. After an airstrike claimed her father and both her arms last year, the young survivor has defied expectations by mastering daily tasks using only her feet — from writing school assignments to preparing simple meals.
"At first, I thought my life was over," Sarah told local caregivers through an interpreter. "But my mother showed me how to hold a pencil between my toes. Now I can draw flowers again." Her remarkable adaptation has drawn attention from rehabilitation specialists across the region, who note her progress challenges assumptions about physical limitations in conflict zones.
While over 2,000 Gaza children have suffered limb losses since October 2023 according to UN data, Sarah's story stands out for her proactive vision. The fourth-grader now aspires to become a prosthetist, telling visitors: "When I get my new arms, I'll learn how to make them for others too." However, medical NGOs warn that Gaza's crippled healthcare infrastructure could delay prosthetic treatment for years without international support.
As reconstruction talks continue among regional stakeholders, Sarah's daily routine — balancing schoolwork with household chores using her feet — offers a poignant reminder of human adaptability amid ongoing humanitarian challenges.
