Fatima was living alone, holding on to the hope that her husband would return from behind Assad’s prison bars. That hope did not last long, as the news of his death arrived, and with it vanished any hope of bringing a smile back to the home. Debts piled up on her and on her son, who has not yet reached adulthood. He is still in the ninth grade, trying to act like a man to ease his mother’s pain, support his siblings, and carry the burden of accumulated debts. The house is small, and big dreams are fading before the boy’s eyes, as he begins to think about leaving school and starting work. All she wishes is for you to stand by her, so that your presence may help ease the costs and burdens of daily life.