When the Palestinian boy Anas Al-Jiji was playing in front of his family’s home inside the Tulkarm refugee camp collecting herbs for the sheep, he found an object resembling an avocado. He tried to dig it up to see what was inside, and the bomb exploded in his hands. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where the surgeon came out to deliver the tragic news: Anas had lost his left leg and right eye; he was only twelve years old at the time.

After 18 years of suffering, the life of the thirty-year-old changed thanks to an Indian surgeon residing in Abu Dhabi who decided to donate to ten similar cases worldwide by transplanting limbs for them. Three months ago, Dr. Shamshir Fayalil, founder and chairman of Burjeel Holding Company, announced an initiative worth 4 million UAE dirhams to help patients unable to afford limb transplant surgeries. So far, three successful surgeries have been performed under the precise supervision of Professor Munjed Al-Mudarris, with seven more surgeries planned in the coming months.

“A Call from Abu Dhabi Changed My Life”

Anas, who is still in the hospital after the operation, told Annahar: “When I received a call from Dr. Munjed’s team, I started dancing in the street. I knew this would be a turning point in my life. From the first day here, I felt respect and care I had never experienced before.”

Despite all difficulties, Anas continued his education and is now pursuing a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He has also been a bodybuilder since 2016. He added: “I received my first prosthetic limb from the UAE initiative, and now I have undergone my first bone integration surgery here as well. This country has given me hope twice in my life. I want amputees to know that treatments like this can change everything.”

From India to Abu Dhabi… A Journey in Search of Hope

For Sharon Sherian (33) from Kottayam in Kerala, his journey to Abu Dhabi marked the final chapter of a struggle that began over a decade ago. At 21, he was riding a bike behind his friend when they had an accident that instantly killed the friend and severely injured him. He spent nine months in hospitals before doctors amputated his right leg.

He said: “My family went through tough times emotionally and financially, even having to sell our house to cover my treatment costs. For years, I walked with a cane and never felt fully accepted by society.”

Three years ago, Sharon learned about bone integration surgeries and contacted Professor Munjed, but the costs were too high for his family. Then came the turning point: “I received an email about Dr. Shamshir’s initiative. When I saw his name, I knew this was my chance.”

Accompanied by his mother and cousin, Sharon came to Abu Dhabi for the surgery. He said: “From day one, I felt dignity. I had never experienced such care and compassion before.”

Previous Initiatives and Experiences

The “Ten Journeys” initiative was inspired by Sham and Omar, two children who survived the 2023 Syria earthquake, turning their strength into a foundation that extends across borders to support amputees in need, according to Professor Munjed Al-Mudarris.

The surgeon, who has performed more than 1,200 bone integration surgeries worldwide since 2009, added that Anas, Joshua, and Sharon were selected after detailed clinical evaluations, and they are recovering well and will soon begin rehabilitation using their prosthetic limbs.