Sanad’s Story

It just so happened that yesterday, while scrolling through Facebook, I came across a small and heart-wrenching post from the page of "Road to Recovery" (B’Derech L’Hachlama) – this excellent organization, very close to my heart, where Israeli volunteers drive Palestinian patients from the checkpoints to hospitals and back, to receive life-saving treatments that are unavailable to them within the occupied territories.

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It was supposed to be a routine drive from Tarqumiya checkpoint to Sheba hospital. Four adults and Sanad al-Hor, a very sick three-year-old boy, and his father. There was room for everyone in the large car belonging to S., the volunteer from 'Road to Recovery.'

The siren caught them near the Children’s Forest in Mesilat Zion. 'We have to get out of the car,' S. told them, stepping out first. Everyone followed and sat on the ground. The siren wailed, piercing the air, heightening everyone’s heartbeat and fear. Everyone’s, except for Sanad. A child who hasn’t yet tasted much of the world, he felt the approaching spring; the forest called to him, possessing a fresh life and bloom he could not resist.

S., who already understood that this was no routine drive, describes how he suddenly felt a tiny tap on his shoulder; how he turned around instantly, and how he can still feel the touch of those tiny fingers on his shirt; how his eyes met Sanad’s, which were full of innocence and life, and how the boy handed him a heartfelt offering: a yellow wildflower he had picked for him.

A week ago, Sanad from the village of Surif passed away. The illness overcame him. For S. it was important that Sanad’s father will know about this moment – a moment of life that S. will never forget. Sanad will rest in his heart forever.

It was impossible to stop the tears, of course. Along with thoughts about the added value in the lives of people who volunteer to help others – especially those who are the most marginalized of the marginalized, particularly those who are being marginalized by your own state.

The act of volunteering and helping primarily assists those who need it so desperately, of course. But additionally, it strengthens the volunteer as well – whether it is by remaining human within a brutalizing society; by strengthening the internal compass of one who knows they are doing the right thing; or by encountering moments of soul-to-soul connection in a way that happens nowhere else.

More stories of goodness, and opportunities to volunteer, can be found here.

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