On the morning of July 3, 2023, Jenin woke up to the sounds of gunfire and destruction. A brutal military raid had turned the city into a war zone—bullets tore through the narrow streets, and homes collapsed under fire.
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In the middle of the chaos, 17-year-old Kamal Al-Ararawi from the Jenin refugee camp ran to help his injured cousin. He didn’t know that act of bravery would change his life forever.
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A sniper’s bullet struck Kamal in the head, leaving him completely blind.
“I closed my eyes for a second… and never opened them again. Suddenly, I was in complete darkness,” he says.
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After much of their neighborhood was destroyed, Kamal and his family were forced to leave their home. Displaced and grieving, he began a long journey of healing and resilience.
“There were times I felt like my life was over,” Kamal admits. “But I told myself—if the occupation took my sight, I won’t let it take my will.”
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He refused to give up. Despite losing his vision, Kamal returned to school, learning through sound alone. His sister became his biggest support, reading his lessons out loud and helping him memorize every word.
“She’s my eyes now. Without her, I wouldn’t have made it this far.”
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This year, Kamal passed his high school exams—an incredible achievement in the face of everything he’s endured. But for him, the celebration felt bittersweet.
“How can I fully celebrate when people are still being pulled from the rubble in Gaza? How can I smile when our camp, and places like Nour Shams and Tulkarem, are still under attack?”
Now, Kamal is preparing for university. He may no longer see with his eyes—but his vision for life, for justice, and for the future has never been clearer.
