Sharjah: A life of despair has turned into a life of delight for a homeless family in Sharjah in just 24 hours.
After braving the winter elements on a Sharjah beach following eviction from their flat, the family is now warm and safe in hotel accommodation until their plight can be rectified.
The rescue of the family was made possible thanks to intervention by Government of Sharjah authorities who are assuming the cost of a temporary hotel apartment in Rolla.
Hesham Hussain, a Palestinian, his Moroccan wife Wafa and their five-year-old son Yezan have been provided shelter by the Sharjah Police.
“The Sharjah Police and the Sharjah government have been extremely kind to us. We feel safe now,” said a visibly exhausted Hussain.
He and his family had been living on the beach in Sharjah for more than a week. With an expired residence visa, no earnings and unable to pay rent, the family had no choice but to abandon their rented apartment in Al Buteena, Sharjah.
Gulf News reported the family’s desperate fight for survival on February 25. Readers from all walks of life offered to help Hussain and his family in cash and kind. There were also those who wanted to provide him with an apartment and a job.
Gulf News met Hussain and his family at their hotel apartment on Wednesday night. Their faces spoke of relief.
“My mobile has not stopped ringing after our plight was published in Gulf News. One such call was from the Sharjah Police. They enquired about my whereabouts and asked me to accompany them. They then asked about my wife and child.
“She was wandering somewhere near the Kempenski hotel in Ajman at that time. They telephoned her and got all of us together. These were the Anjad police patrol,” said Hussain who along with his family was treated to lunch ordered from a famous Arabic restaurant in Sharjah. He said: “There was so much to eat. It was a lavish spread. We had big platter of grilled items, there was fresh juice, water, etc. It has been a while for us to have a sumptuous lunch.”
According to Hussain, the police were extremely patient and reassured them that their homeless situation would be sorted out.
“They wanted us to be safe and moved us to a hotel apartment in Rolla. The police requested us not to worry about hotel expenses as it will all be taken care off by the Sharjah government. Until yesterday we did not have anyone to turn to accept a few merciful friends, but today the government machinery is there to provide assistance.
“I am now going to re-work my CV and give it to people who had offered to help me with a job. It is nothing short of a miracle,” Hussain said.
Wafa, who seemed to be having a tough time controlling her son Yezan’s excitement, was all praise for the efforts made by the Sharjah Police.
“I cannot describe the relief that they have given us. I was really getting tired of the desperate situation that we had fallen into,” she said, showing her mobile to reveal the numbers of telephone calls that she had received from readers offering help.
“We were quite surprised when we got calls from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Doha and Jordan from people who wanted us to know how they can help.”
The couple said that had received financial help from Gulf News readers and that the money would go towards their rent.
Their son Yezan, who was seen running around in the apartment was excited about sleeping on a bed instead of spending another cold night on the beach.
“I will be sleeping on a soft bed tonight and look over here, I have got a bag full of candies and chocolates and some new toys,” the five-year-old said.
Seeing their son’s excitement, tears welled up in the eyes of Wafa. Planting a kiss on his son’s forehead Hussain said: “My boy is so happy. He is safe.”
