The town of Baghouz lies in the east of the self-governing Syrian region of Deir ez-Zor. Due to its strategic location on the Iraqi border, Baghouz was the last official refuge of the ISIS before its territorial crushing by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The town was liberated in March 2019, dealing a major blow to ISIS. Thousands of ISIS jihadists fell into captivity. Over the past two years, new life has gradually begun to sprout in Baghouz, but the wounds inflicted by ISIS run deep.

Shams al-Hamoud and her son Tamir Hashim al-Atawi have themselves been victims of ISIS in Baghouz. But they are building a new life. Shams al-Hamoud is the mother of six children. Her son Tamir Hashim al-Atawi is paralyzed and cannot walk. The family collects reeds, an important building material, and uses them to make mats. With the reed mats, the family manages to support themselves, at least partially. Şahms al-Hamoud has been doing this craft for four years and sells the reed mats for the equivalent of between 1.30 and 1.70 euros per meter.

The family whose house was destroyed by ISIS is trying to heal their wounds. They now live in a new house. Shams al-Hamoud says, "When ISIS was here, I was not allowed to work. I put on the black veil and worked secretly. This place was liberated from ISIS, and now I can do my work freely in front of my house."

Her son Tamir was in Lebanon in 2014 to earn money. He fell from a scaffold and was seriously injured. He has not been able to walk for seven years. When ISIS occupied the region, he tried to go to Qamishlo secretly. Due to his physical condition, the journey was extremely difficult for him. On the way, he was captured by Syrian regime forces, arrested and sent to Damascus. Tamir Hashim was imprisoned there for two months until he was released in exchange for a payment of 800,000 Syrian liras.

Tamir Hashim now helps his mother with her work. Mother and son say they are happy to stay on their land despite all the suffering.