Life as a Syrian Refugee
By: Rach, Syd and Roz
Fleeing our home country because we fear for our lives is something that most Canadians couldn’t ever imagine, yet it is the sad reality for millions of Syrians. Over 3 million people have claimed refugee status, as they leave Syria to escape violence and corrupt government. Although this is happening many miles away, we as North Americans, have a duty to recognize how this crisis is changing, affecting and ending lives. Each of these stories have been recorded by the Washington Post, and have been interpreted by our group. They are true, they are real and they are happening as you read this.
This is a visual map of Syria. The legend in the bottom right corner states the approximate number of refugees, as well as how many reside in various places.
“A Child Goes To Work”
At 11 years old, a skinny Syrian Boy has become a businessman. Instead of playing in parks, the nameless child sells packs of tissues in order to help support his family. The boy’s family left Syria more than 2 months ago, fleeing from their home of Aleppo and living in Gaziantep, Turkey. His mother, factory working father and 5 siblings live in a cramped 1 car garage with 20 other Syrian refugees, paying $150 rent a month. The young boy often worries about his sister, who gets hungry a lot. By selling his packs of tissues for whatever somebody will pay, he has made about $25 in the two months that he has been in Turkey. The money goes straight to his mother to buy rations of food for the family.
“I miss riding my bicycle and going around the neighborhood. It was so nice. But there were too many planes and too much bombing”
He and his siblings have not been to school since they have left Syria, and he is afraid of getting a factory job, in fear of being abducted or even killed, as many children his age are. Although living in extreme poverty, the family is starting to adjust to their new home saying;
“There is no bombing- No sounds of gunfire. And they have nice places to sell my tissues.”
A young boy has been robbed of his childhood- and unfortunately, he is just one of millions.
An image of a group of Syrian refugees.
“Wedding Day”
As Syrian refugees are fleeing their country due to the mass amount of violence going on, two refugees have found some good in all of this.
Youssef Ahmed Mohammad (23 years of age) and Samah al-Saud (24 years of age) are getting married 2 months after meeting each other in Zaatari camp, Jordan. The couple had a simple ceremony, with many guests from their camp. The couple was escorted by the camp’s only vehicle, an old taxi, and driven to the groom's house for a party with both families. A UN tent is stretched above their heads, as they dance the hours away to a camp radio in the sweltering heat and dust. This is not what Youssaf and Samah dreamed their wedding day would be like. They have unfortunately had to miss out on many traditions because of the lack of resources in their refugee camp. When asked about having children, the couple has decided to hold off "“I don’t want to bring children into this life,” they say.
“It’s better to die without children in Syria than it is to bring children into the world as refugees. How can you build a life on a foundation like this?"
Both long for a home where they can raise children without fear of bombs and violence. Although they are happy to be married, both say that True happiness will be once again when they get to return to their homeland of Syria.
A Syrian mother and her two young children.
“Syrian Orphans”
It is a common phrase in any country ravaged by war, that "war makes orphans." This is an unfortunate home truth for grandmother Najiba Abdul Rahman. Syrian government troops shot and killed her son in November 2012, while he was fighting as a brigade commander in the Free Syrian Army. He left behind two small children, a year old son and a week old daughter, as well as a wife. His wife was torn, and fearing she couldn't cope with raising the two children on her own, she left them with their grandmother Abdul Rahman, and disappeared. Abdul, 56, only wishes that she could be around longer to raise the children and make them strong. Abdul shares a tiny two room trailer along with her husband, the two children, a daughter and her family. They currently reside in the Oncupinar refugee camp, home to more than 14,000 Syrian refugees. This is Abdul's third year living in a refugee camp, and she tries her best to make life as normal as she can for the children, as no one knows how long they will be there. Abdul is aware that nothing can be done about her current situation, and she seems to accept her fate easily.
A young Syrian boy all alone.
Our Take on The Issue…
As young high school students in Ontario, Canada, we are fortunate to have an education, a home and a sense of security and safety. At age 11, we were not working, but playing in the parks that are much like the ones the young boy was selling tissues in, to feed his family. At ages 23 and 24, we will not be getting married in a dirty and depressing refugee camp. At age 56, we will not be raising our grandchildren, because their parents have been murdered or are too traumatized by war to provide for them. These situations are simply unfathomable for us, however they are the reality for millions of Syrians, who are homeless and running from the violence and rubble that used to be their lives. As a group, we think that the government of Canada should be taking more immediate action to help these people. “Just because it isn't happening here, doesn't mean it’s not happening” We invite you to comment below and share your thoughts with us.
While you have been reading this blog post, approximately 18 Syrians have left their home country.
