Project Life
Canadian Donors:
It's about quality of life
for Ahmed
Ahmed is an 11-year-old child from Tunisia living with multiple disabilities. He and his mother, Meriem, traveled to western New York in 2023 so Ahmed could receive the essential medical care and therapy he urgently needs.
When he arrived at 8 years of age, Ahmed was developmentally delayed, wore leg braces, and weighed only 35 pounds. Due to his difficulties, he had not socialized with other children. His inability to speak made his world small and isolated. Project Life has had the privilege of helping support them since their arrival.
Please join us in supporting this initiative.
Ahmed seeking medical care
Ahmed has other medical tests ahead of him. He will need oral surgery which will require a sleep study, genetic testing, and an autism evaluation.
Ahmed's Medical Progress
Since arriving in western New York in 2023 Ahmed has been assessed by many medical specialists and has undergone an astonishing array of tests and treatments. It turns out that his difficulties cannot be defined as a single condition or even one isolated syndrome. In the 12-month period from August 2024 to July 2025 he saw 25 doctors representing 15 different specialties!
Ahmed has grown, both physically and socially, thanks to ongoing treatment from a dedicated team of caregivers. He has gained more than 25 pounds and is almost four feet tall. He no longer needs leg braces. He climbs and plays and can even be quite acrobatic at times. All who meet him remark on what a friendly and affectionate child he is.
Ahmed at school
Ahmed never attended school in Tunisia. He and his parents were isolated and marginalized by their family members and neighbors. With the assistance of Project Life and the local School Board, Ahmed was able to be enrolled at a learning center for special needs children. He loved his first day of school so much that he did not want to get out of van when he returned home! At the school open house, teachers and staff spoke highly of him and commented on how bright and easy going he was. He participates in Physical and Occupational therapy activities and takes music and gym daily. He remains nonverbal and his teachers and speech therapists are seeking ways to build his communication skills.
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How your contributions
will help tremendously
While Ahmed’s treatments offer hope for a brighter future, Meriem and Ahmed’s journey comes with many challenges, including the costs of everyday living far from home.
All types of donations are welcome. Your monthly support would be particularly beneficial in providing consistent support. Making a recurring donation in whatever amount can help provide Ahmed and his mother with safe housing, nutritious meals, and the stability they need throughout his treatment. Having your ongoing support helps to plan the budget and ensure Ahmed’s care continues uninterrupted.
Please consider sharing Ahmed’s story with your family and friends by sharing the donation link below.
Together, we can make sure he receives the full course of medical care and therapy he deserves. Your generosity and advocacy will bring hope and healing to Ahmed and his mother when they need it most.
What is Project Life?
Project Life was inaugurated in 1997. Over more than 20 years it sponsored and hosted 136 orphans from the troubled lands of Bosnia, the North Caucasus (Chechnya and Ingushetia), Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka to the peaceful countryside of western New York. Project Life is staffed by dedicated, passionate volunteers. They work tirelessly in this program that works to restore the lost childhood of innocent victims of war, natural disasters, and lack of health care. More recently, Project Life has focused its work on aiding children with rare health conditions, including blood disorders such as hemophilia and thalassemia. Now we are applying our experience to help young Ahmed become healthier and reach his full potential.
Ahmed Now:
