London: (By Hannah Chowdhry and Juliet Chowdhry) Aleeza Masih, a resilient 6-year-old survivor of a harrowing terrorist attack on a church in Quetta in 2017, has emerged as a symbol of courage and determination.

Despite losing her left leg and facing numerous medical challenges, Aleeza’s indomitable spirit shines brightly, thanks to the support she receives from the UK-based charity, British Asian Christian Association (BACA).

Aleeza was just 1.5 years old when she survived the brutal attack on the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church during a nativity service, which tragically claimed the lives of nine innocent people. Her survival was attributed to the bravery of volunteer Christian security officers.

After the attack, Aleeza suffered severe injuries, including the loss of her left leg below the knee and damage to her bowels due to shrapnel. Initial treatment at a public hospital was marred by inadequate wound care, leading to life-threatening gangrene. BACA intervened and transported Aleeza to a private hospital in Karachi, where a second operation was performed, ultimately saving her life.

In a recent End of Year school exam, Aleeza achieved an outstanding result, ranking third overall in her year group with a score of 99%. This remarkable achievement is even more significant considering her father, Ashiq Masih, is an illiterate sweeper. Aleeza’s progress has filled her family with overwhelming pride and gratitude.

Due to Aleeza’s rapid growth, she requires a new prosthetic limb every six months to maintain her mobility and comfort. Prolonged use of an incorrectly-sized limb can lead to swelling, inflammation, and pain. BACA is currently running an appeal to obtain a properly-sized limb for Aleeza in June.

In a recent conversation with BACA’s operations manager, Ashiq Masih, Aleeza’s father, expressed his gratitude, saying, “We have no words to thank the Lord for helping us through BACA since the last eight years.” He highlighted how Aleeza’s prosthetic limb has been crucial in allowing her to live a normal life, attend church, and go to school, bringing immense joy to her parents.

Ashiq Masih, who works as a sweeper in a Government College, faces financial constraints that make it impossible to afford Aleeza’s new limb every six months. BACA remains their lifeline, ensuring that Aleeza continues to thrive despite the challenges she faces.

BACA extends heartfelt gratitude to its generous donors who consistently provide the resources needed to support Aleeza and children like her. Together, they are making a significant difference in the lives of these resilient young individuals.