How a prosthetic donation from the Ottobock Global Foundation and Zainab’s support give a little girl from Gaza courage. 

• Name: Rahaf Khamees

• Origin: Gaza

• Age: 4 years

• Indication: Amputation of both legs following a rocket attack

• Current location: Cairo, Egypt

• Prosthetic treatment: Patient Care Center OrthoMedics Egypt

• Aid campaign: Initiated and supported by the Ottobock Global Foundation

Rahaf smiles happily into the camera as she walks hand in hand with our colleague Zainab Al‑Eqabi down the corridor of the OrthoMedics Patient Care facility in Egypt. There is a very special bond between her and the four‑year‑old girl from Gaza: both lost their legs in an explosion. “I want to encourage Rahaf so that she can move through life with her prostheses as confidently as I do,” says Zainab, Social Media Manager at Ottobock in Dubai.

A long journey for Rahaf.

The video is dedicated by Rahaf to one of the most important people in her life – her mother. She accompanied her every step of the way until she finally received prosthetic care: 

Rahaf was a lively little girl who loved drawing and swimming. But the war in Gaza had already become part of everyday life. In 2024, she and her family became victims of the fighting themselves. On the night of 1 August, a rocket struck their family home. When her family woke up, they found Rahaf with severe injuries to both legs. The doctors at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah immediately decided on an amputation. It was a devastating turning point for Rahaf and her family. 

They sought help from World Health Organization (WHO) and Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) to leave the country and to secure prosthetic care for Rahaf as quickly as possible. In November 2024, they finally managed to bring Rahaf and her mother to neighboring Jordan. From there, they continued their journey to the United States, where they received a visa. When they reached Egypt, Rahaf and her mother moved into an apartment in Cairo – just around the corner from OrthoMedics. Ottobock and the Ottobock Global Foundation have been working with the orthopedic specialists around Managing Director Youssef El Deeb for many years. 

A special visit.

Before Rahaf received her prosthesis, she had withdrawn significantly. “She didn’t want anyone around her and felt ashamed of her amputation,” her mother reports. “We were all the more grateful to the Ottobock Global Foundation for the generous prosthetic donation. And of course to Youssef and his team, who not only provided Rahaf with care but also gave her hope.” 

With her prosthesis, Rahaf grew increasingly confident. “Her confidence grew step by step,” Youssef reports. A truly special moment that changed her outlook on life with prostheses was the visit from our colleague Zainab from Dubai. She herself wears a leg prosthesis and travelled to Cairo at the end of July as an influencer and ambassador for Ottobock. “Zainab was an enrichment for all of us. We were able to exchange our expertise in person. But even more, we were grateful that she encouraged our young patient,” says Youssef. Encouragement for her future: Rahaf wants to become an orthopedic technician to help other people. 

Zainab Al‑Eqabi  

Our colleague Zainab lost her left leg at the age of seven when an unexploded ordnance detonated in her family’s home in Baghdad. Her entire family was seriously injured. For Zainab, a subsequent infection ultimately led to an amputation to save her life. Despite this trauma, Zainab is now one of the most visible activists for people with amputations in the Arab region. She speaks openly about her story, advocates for inclusion, and inspires young people like Rahaf with her positive and confident attitude. See for yourself!