For over two decades, a widowed foster father in Los Angeles has been adopting terminally ill children, providing them with unconditional love and care until their final moments.
In a world that can sometimes appear cruel and unfeeling, the tales of unsung heroes living among us can reignite our faith in humanity. The heart-wrenching story of a widowed foster father who dedicates his life to ensuring that terminally ill children do not face death alone is profoundly moving. Mohamed Bzeek, a 65-year-old resident of Los Angeles, takes in these children who are otherwise alone, offering them a loving embrace until the end.
The immigrant from Libya arrived in the US four decades ago and obtained citizenship in 1997. Since embarking on his mission, he has cared for 80 children, with 10 sadly passing away in his arms. Despite the grief and pain, he has found a way to persevere, committed to his selfless endeavor. He elaborated:
In 1995, we[Mohamed and his late wife] decided to adopt orphans left at hospitals or taken from their families by the state because of violence and pressure. The only house that accepts orphans and children who are about to die in Los Angeles is my house. I have dealt with 80 children since 1989. Ten children lost their lives in my arms.
Reports indicate that whenever the Los Angeles DCFS encounters an orphan in a distressing situation, they reach out to a remarkable individual. This man is consistently ready to welcome and care for the child in need.
They know that I do not hesitate to accept. If I don’t, they are sent to hospitals and don’t have a family or house. However, when I take them, they feel a family atmosphere. They feel safe and are loved until the end of their lives.
This hero, having been a foster father for over twenty years, ensures that he provides a nurturing and secure environment for the children in his care. Concurrently, he raises his own son, who was born with dwarfism and osteogenesis imperfecta. In 2017, Mr. Bzeek was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer, a moment that brought fear to him as well. He stated:
I had no family with me and I was scared. I felt the same what the kids feel. They are alone. If I am 62 [now 65] and I am scared, what about them?
Margaret Cotts created a GoFundMe page to support a selfless individual and his efforts. Although the fundraiser's initial target was $100,000, the generosity of people worldwide, moved by the kind-hearted widower's actions, has led to donations nearing $700,000 to date. The page's creator cites Mr. Bzeek:
“The key is you have to love them like your own.”
