I've known Samia for over 20 years, since the days she lived in the UK. After her divorce, she made the difficult decision to return to Tunisia. Her goal was clear: to support her son’s education, reconnect him with his roots, and surround him with the love of family—hoping it would help him cope with the absence of a father who had started a new life and family elsewhere.

Samia was unwavering in her commitment. She dedicated herself fully to her son, staying by his side until he graduated and was accepted into one of the top five universities in Europe. To make that dream come true, she sold everything she owned. At times, I had to step in and help—because that's what friends and sisters do. Her determination never wavered.

But life had more challenges in store.

Shortly after, Samia lost her father to a sudden heart attack. Then came her mother’s diagnosis: uterus cancer. On top of that, her mother was diabetic and suffered from high blood pressure. The treatment was grueling. Samia became her full-time caregiver. Her mother—lovingly known by everyone as Mima—eventually survived cancer, but the toll on her body left her unable to walk or manage basic needs alone.

Yet, despite her condition, Mima remained the heart of the home. A woman full of life, she continued to host family events, welcome friends, and dote on her children and grandchildren.In her wheelchair and help with day care helper, she loved to make food and treats from her garden. Olives, homemade jams, lemonade from fresh lemons, rose water from orange blossoms for traditional cookies—Mima gave freely to everyone who visited. Her house, nestled among olive, lemon, and orange trees, was a classic Mediterranean home, rich in scent, color, and spirit.

What kept Mima going was her social life. Though she couldn’t go out, her home was always alive with people and stories. She joked about her illness, shared laughter with doctors and nurses, and brightened the lives of those who came to care for her. "Let’s meet at Dar Mima," people would say, because her home felt like a warm embrace and an entertaining place.

Mima passed away nine months ago. The house is quieter now, but it still echoes with laughter, warmth, and life. Samia, moved by the journey she shared with her mother, wants to keep Dar Mima’s doors open. Not just for memories—but for other Mimas who deserve to age with dignity, joy, and care.

Samia had to put her career as an international education consultant on hold in the last year of her mother’s life. Now, she wants to transform her family home into a senior care center with a fresh, humane vision. A place where elders are not sent to wait for the end, but to live—surrounded by love, stories, art, and community.

Dar Mima can house up to 20 residents. The two-story home, with a rooftop overlooking the sea and mountain, will be renovated to include:

Accessible bathrooms and ramps

Medical-grade beds and mobility equipment

A rooftop glass room for rehabilitation and art workshops

Cultural and social events

A community kitchen and garden

A transport van for outings

Heating system upgrades

24/7 care and supervision

Residents will pay a symbolic fee, making Dar Mima an affordable alternative to overpriced private homes. The aim is to make it self-sustainable through donations, events, and community support.

Samia has applied for a loan, but without stable income and after spending all she had on her son’s education, she needs support to bring Dar Mima to life. The total cost to refurbish and launch the center is of AED 150,000—calculated to cover only essential, basic facilities.

Dar Mima will welcome both permanent and short-term residents, and in time, the vision is to create a network of small homes that provide individualized care in a family-like atmosphere.

I urge you to support this cause. Dar Mima is more than a retirement home—it’s a vision for aging with dignity, surrounded by love and laughter, not isolation. A bridge between generations. A mosaic of shared humanity.

Help us bring life back to Dar Mima. Help us honor our mothers with grace. Help Samia transform a story of love and sacrifice into a lasting legacy for others.

Let’s keep Mima’s spirit alive. Let’s give our elders a place where their smiles never fade.