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Dalia's* Story



Sun, 08/15/2010 - 12:16 — Tehila

Dalia married very young. Sadly, her first baby died in the 9th month of pregnancy due to complications. She now has a 12 year old daughter from that marriage which ended in divorce. 

Last January, Dalia and her boyfriend thought that she was pregnant but didn't do a pregnancy test. They planned to get married in any case and rushed the wedding because of the fear of pregnancy. They later found out it was a false alarm. A few months later, Dalia discovered that she was, indeed, pregnant. Although married, the Social Worker strongly urged Dalia to have an abortion because of her socio-economic situation.  Although Dalia didn't want an abortion, the pressure from her mother-in-law, the welfare office and others “who were only trying to help” made it very difficult to continue the pregnancy. This kind of pressure is a common experience for women in Israel.

Her husband, Ephraim, is an army veteran. His hand was severely damaged when a hand grenade exploded in it. He is unable to hold down a job because of his hand and his shattered nerves. After the explosion, he became a drug addict. He is now clean from drugs and undergoing rehabilitation. They have applied for financial assistance from the government but the paperwork is taking a long time.

In the meanwhile, they are living in the very cramped home of her mother-in-law. In this apartment, Ephraim sleeps in the living room, Dalia and her 12-year-old daughter sleep in a bedroom with Ephraim's sister ,Ilanit (see new mother story in this issue) and her baby, and the mother-in-law sleeps in the 2nd bedroom with another daughter.

Be'ad Chaim has put Dalia in contact with someone who will help them push through their application for assistance from the government. We will also provide practical help for their new baby who is due in the Fall of 2009. We are waiting and believing to see God turn this very difficult situation into a wonderful, growing family. 

Update: Dalia's baby, Sinai, was born on the 14th of October, 2009.

* Mother's name changed to protect her privacy