Syrian family with Dh200,000 debt overwhelmed by public support

Readers offer Reyad Naji employment and help to rectify his and the family's visa status

Reyad Naji, from Syria, with his son Taha, 12, at their home in Ajman. Taha became disabled after a surgical error in Jordan. Pawan Singh / The National

The peeling ceiling in kitchen of the Naji family's one-bedroom flat in Ajman. The family of eight sleep between two rooms and face eviction. Pawan Singh / The National

Reyad Naji holds a bag containing the medicine his son Taha needs to take regularly after a surgery went wrong six years ago. Pawan Singh / The National

Taha, 12, and his sister Fajr, 8. Pawan Singh / The National

The Naji family in their a one-bedroom flat in Ajman. Mother Hanan holds Ahmad while father Reyad looks over their bedridden son, Taha. Also pictured is Fajr holding baby Mustafa and on the right are Mohammed and Abeer. Pawan Singh / The National

A Syrian family at threat of eviction from their home in Ajman said they were overwhelmed by support and offers of help after their plight became public knowledge.

The Naji family, from Deraa, amassed about Dh200,000 in debt after surgeons in Jordan botched a routine operation on their son, rendering him in need of round-the-clock care, and the father, Reyad, lost his life’s savings when his business failed.

The family of nine share a small flat in Al Rashidiya, Ajman, having moved to the UAE in 1994 in search of better opportunities.

Last week, they were served an eviction notice because they owed their landlord Dh24,000 in rent.

Their visas expired years ago and, because of their outstanding debt, they are unable to renew them.

Mr Naji, 50, said, since their story was published in The National this week, he has had offers of employment and people offered to help rectify his family's visa status.

“We received two calls yesterday from two men and this morning another called offering to help us,” he said.

"This is the land of good and giving and we are overwhelmed by how many people reacted to our problem and offered to help."

Readers contacted The National expressing sympathy and offering to support the family.

“I literally broke down in tears reading about the story of the Syrian family in Ajman,” one reader said.

“I would like to know if there is any way I can help these people, either financially or donating items they need.

“We are fortunate to live in a great country and have great provisions for ourselves. I feel bad about others not having anything.”

Others attempted to reach the family through social media.

“I work here to support my family in Syria and it breaks my heart to hear about families struggling. It’s very sad what’s happening in the world,” said Syrian resident Halla Nakhleh.

Mr Naji worked for a livestock and meat trading company until he was laid off in 2016 but his family’s problems began two years before that when their son, Taha, was left immobile after a botched hernia operation.

The boy now needs regular physiotherapy and medicine that costs Dh1,000 a month.

Mr Naji opened a butchery using his end-of-service money but it failed and closed down, leaving him and his family with no source of income.

The couple sent their eldest daughter Shaima, 19, back to Syria a few years ago because they could not afford to support her here.

Three of their children, Mohammed, 14, Fajr, 8, and Abeer, 6, have either been taken out of school for unpaid fees or were never enrolled because they have no visas. They also have two young boys under the age of two to support.

"I'm hopeful that with this support we are getting I will be able to find a steady job and pay off my debts," Mr Naji said.