From Trauma to Survival: Sara Dahan’s Fight for Her Children in Sderot

Sara Dahan’s life has been a relentless battle for survival. Sent away from her dysfunctional home in Sderot at the age of three along with her four siblings, she spent her formative years bouncing between welfare institutions, boarding schools, and youth villages. The constant upheaval left deep emotional and physical scars.

A Troubled Youth and Early Motherhood

Moving from Jerusalem to Arad and later to various youth facilities, Dahan’s life spiraled as she struggled to cope with the absence of a stable home environment. As a teenager, she began running away, leading her into dangerous situations. During one escape, at age 15, she became involved with a man twice her age. This toxic relationship resulted in pregnancy, forcing her into early motherhood while her peers were still in high school.

Determined to break the cycle of neglect she experienced, Dahan eventually managed to secure public housing near her mother in Sderot and fought fiercely to regain custody of her two older children after an eight-month separation. Her resolve to provide them with a safe and loving home became her driving force.

Surviving October 7 and Health Battles

Life dealt another severe blow on October 7, 2023. Dahan and her partner survived the horrors of the Hamas assault by hiding in bushes for six hours in Sderot, witnessing intense violence near the local police station that deeply traumatized her eldest daughter.

Today, Dahan is a mother of three, including a toddler named Shai-El—meaning "gift of God"—born shortly after the outbreak of the war. Despite her fierce determination, she faces daunting daily challenges. Suffering from epilepsy and heart palpitations triggered by past trauma, she relies on a continuous heart-monitoring device. Furthermore, she lives on the third floor of a building without an elevator, a major obstacle given her physical condition, while shouldered with hundreds of thousands of shekels in debts accrued due to her mother's past actions.

Looking Forward

To overcome her financial hardships, Dahan is preparing to start a new job as a car rental driver and has launched a crowdfunding campaign on the GIVEBACK platform titled "Winning Life." Amid the struggles, she also nurtures bright hopes for her youngest daughter, who has already been signed by a children's modeling agency.