My name is Ameen. I am 11 years old.

I don’t know what time it was when the bomb fell. All I remember is the sound — louder than anything I’ve ever heard. Then fire… screaming… and pain. When I woke up, I was under the rubble. I couldn’t move my legs. I shouted for my mother, but she didn’t answer. I later found out she died, along with my baby sister. I’m in a hospital now — or what’s left of it. There are no proper beds, no medicine. My wounds are still open. The doctors say I need surgery or I might lose my leg. I haven’t eaten a full meal in days. Sometimes, I close my eyes and pretend I’m back at school, playing football with my friends. Most of them are gone too. I just want to walk again. I want to live… but I need help.