Rasmi Arafat-martyred CHW in Balata
On October 29 th , we received devastating news regarding one of our CHWs in Balata. Rasmi Arafat, the only male CHW on the team, was shot and killed by a sniper earlier that morning. His injuries caused so much damage, that doctors conducted 3 surgeries between 3am-12pm, when he succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced a martyr.
This is not only a huge loss for the H4P and 1for3 program, but for the CHW team who has become like family with Rasmi and especially for his patients, which adored him. Rasmi was known to be one of the kindest and generous people known in his community. October 30 th was his burial, and hundreds of people came out to say goodbye to their local hero, including his patients, which do not usually leave their homes due to their health conditions, yet they wanted to be there to say goodbye.
Photos of Rasmi as he worked with his colleagues and patients as well as his farewell from his mother, sisters and community. Below are some testimonies from his colleagues.
Karameh Hawash Kuemmerle, MD. , Child Neurologist, Boston Children’s Hospital
“Today I mourn my friend Rasmi (Abu Fayez) who was one of our Community Health workers in Balata. An Israeli sniper shot him with a lethal bullet to his chest that took his life. My dear friend Rasmi was one of the kindest, most gentle and most giving humans. I had the honor to know him and call him my friend. Rasmi was very committed to the care of the health needs of his community in the refugee camp. As a diabetic himself, Rasmi understood how to offer compassionate care in his role as a CHW. He was an enthusiastic learner and in a short time, he equipped himself with knowledge that enabled him to be an effective healer and a champion in his community. Rasmi was the sole caretaker of his father who had end stage renal failure and he did it with a lot of love. Rasmi took care of everyone around him selflessly.
I visited many patients in the refugee camp with Rasmi. One elderly man had a severe neurological disease, and he needed a certain kind of medicine to improve his symptoms. The medicine was not available, and we went on a hunt to look for it. Rasmi found a small pharmacy and found two boxes of the medicine, paid for them and asked detailed questions about how to give the medicine and he delivered himself and ensured that the supply was not interrupted. Rasmi was generous with everything he had. He sat on the floor with the patients in the camp, played with the kids, joked with Down syndrome patients, and cheered everyone around him. He was very loved.
To be with Rasmi, meant having a good time. He had an infectious smile and a great sense of humor. Children, adults and elderly loved him. The world today lost a big heart and a hero to many”.
Maryam (H4P Balata Coordinator):
As the H4P Coordinator in Balata and in the name of my colleague, Rasmi. Yes, Rasmi was my colleague but he was also like a brother and fun friend to have. Our days began with jokes and laughter, and he worked with so much compassion and dedication. He loved people and always tried to help them in any way he could… he ever refuse anyone’s request or help in anything, especially in recent days as things became more difficult on the community and the heavy burden of attacks on Palestinians. He was always worried about us, especially during our home visits, and gave us a ride to the patients’ homes that live far away, so we don’t get too tired walking through the camp. He was very much affected by the recent and aggressive attacks on Gaza, and wanted to find any way, any way at all, to help them. Before he was killed, he mentioned several times that he was craving a specific meal, but was waiting until the next payday so we can all enjoy it together as a team. But he didn’t have a chance to enjoy his payday or the meal he was craving. I will never forget the day when Rasmi was released from Israeli prison, on January 1 st , 2023. I went excitedly to him and told him he will be with myself and the team full time. My God how happy he was, and my God how much he laughed and smiled with excitement! He immediately started planning to save money so he can have a fertility surgery so he and his wife can have children. We agreed that he will focus on work and forget about his past trauma with the IOF and horrible experiences in their prisons. But it was all in vain; everyday he was targeted and …with their attacks on Gaza, where most of his close family members still live. God have mercy on your soul, Rasmi. We don’t know how we will go on without you..”
Abdalla (CHW Lajee):
Everyday a soul departs from life on this Earth, some with influence or memories or some for a cause they died for. We’re certain you were a private man, solid, and nothing less than an honest man in every step you took. Your body is full of bullet fragments, a real martyr and destined to be in Heaven. No words can describe the strength of your faith nor to describe the dreams you wanted fulfilled. I remember the last time I saw Rasmi, and how he spoke of being a martyr in Heaven rather than living in oppression on Earth. In any conversation we had, he would always quote a martyr, from his actions, to his morals, to his kindness, and his generosity [towards everyone around him]. And today Rasmi is a martyr.
Dr. Bram Whispley:
I remember his friendly and joking demeanor, coming in and out of the Yafa offices with children in tow, laughing and conjuring an atmosphere of joy and play. He embodied the ideal and irreplaceable characteristics of the best health worker: someone who builds fast and strong bonds with patients, generating trust and mutual respect. The kind of person whose visit you are keenly awaiting, and whose loss – by family, friends, colleagues, patients, all of us – will continue to be felt so deeply.
It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of a member of the Health for Palestine
family today -Read More from Dr. Henry
