Stories > A place to heal for Yasin.

“Then he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” – Mark 10:16

In the crowded refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, thousands of children are learning how to feel safe again.

For ten-year-old Yasin, that journey is deeply personal.

Yasin is deaf, but it is not only his hearing that has been affected. After experiencing profound trauma at a very young age, he stopped speaking altogether. His voice, like his sense of safety, seemed lost.

In the early days, life in the camp was overwhelming.

Surrounded by noise he could not fully hear and unfamiliar faces he struggled to trust, Yasin would wander aimlessly, searching for somewhere – anywhere – that felt safe. His parents watched helplessly, unsure how to comfort their frightened son.

But slowly, that began to change.

Through a cbm-supported medical centre in the camp, Yasin was assessed by specialists who understood both his hearing needs and the emotional impact of trauma. He was fitted with a hearing aid, allowing him to experience sound again – even if only in small ways.

For Yasin and his family, this was a precious step forward.

But healing didn’t stop there.

Alongside the medical centre is a Child Friendly Space – a calm, welcoming environment designed to help children process trauma through play, routine, and connection.

For Yasin, this space has become something truly special.

It is where he feels safe.

Each day, he arrives early, eager to take part. Through games, songs, and gentle interaction with other children, he is beginning to rediscover something many of us take for granted – the freedom to simply be a child.

And something remarkable has happened.

Yasin has started to smile.

“The transformation in Yasin has been radical,” says one of the teachers who works with him each day.

Where once there was fear and withdrawal, there is now connection. He has made friends. He no longer wanders alone. And though he has not yet spoken, his progress is clear in the way he engages with the world around him.

For his mother, these changes mean everything.

Seeing her son find moments of peace and joy again brings a renewed sense of hope – hope that his healing will continue, step by step.

Yasin’s journey is still unfolding.

But thanks to compassionate support, he now has access to the care he needs – from hearing services and medical treatment to trauma-informed support that helps rebuild confidence and trust.

And he is not alone.

Across the refugee camps, children with disabilities are being reached with inclusive care – ensuring they are not left behind in the midst of crisis. This includes therapy services, assistive devices, and safe spaces where healing can begin.

Because when children feel safe, they begin to recover. They begin to connect. They begin to hope again.

For Yasin, that hope is already taking root.

A smile. A friendship. A moment of calm.

These are the first steps on a journey of healing – and a reminder that even in the most difficult circumstances, change is possible.

Because of you, children like Yasin are finding a place to belong.

And a future where healing can continue.