`Imad `Afanah, a thirty-year-old young Palestinian man, was performing his work of painting the façade of a high building, when he thought of his wife and children who were waiting for him at home. He decided to double his efforts to finish this work quickly and return to them. In the midst of his enthusiasm, he lost his balance and fell. Almighty Allah willed life for him; however, he was left paralyzed on one side. He lost hope and his life darkened. The cry of his children before him and his inability to bring them food or to spend on them doubled his pain; especially since he had not obtained any educational certificate to help him, as he stopped his education following the first year of preparatory school.

`Afanah narrated his story saying, "Following my paralysis, I went to Al-Wafa' Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation to receive physical therapy. At that time, I did not know what I would do; however, I submitted to Allah's Fate and Destiny and I asked Him (Exalted and Glorified be He) to make me among the patient."

He added, "In Al-Wafa' Hospital, I received glad tidings and the Almighty relieved me. A delegation from Al-Widad Society for Social Rehabilitation visited me. When they knew about my case, they offered to help me integrate with the society again, overcome my feelings of desperation and frustration, and restore my self-confidence. They told me, 'Our mission is to enable you to depend upon yourself so you will not need anyone to support you.'" "The start was when the delegation offered me to choose a new job, by which I could gain my livelihood and spend on my family. Because of my condition, I found it difficult to choose a proper job. Finally, they suggested giving me a small place to sell some household supplies. Immediately, I agreed and started my new work," he narrated.

He went on to say, "After a short period, the delegation of the society visited me again to check up on my health and to review my small project. They were pleased and satisfied with my insistence to achieve success; thus, they offered me to expand my project and establish a small grocery store.

This was my dream, but how could I achieve it, as I could hardly earn my livelihood? They told me that they would help me achieve my dream through a new project adopted by the society and financed by the Union of Good Institution. The aim of this project was to establish small projects for the handicapped and people with special needs to help them restore confidence in themselves and integrate them into the society."

`Afanah added, "I did not believe what I heard; I immediately offered the required documents to obtain financial support for the project. After three months, the society agreed to my request and gave me a loan of $1,300; this took place in the middle of 2003. I established the grocery store at my house, and the project began to grow gradually until it became one of the successful groceries in the area and the capital, by Allah's Favor, was doubled.