A new Iraqi refugee looks for a safe haven in Syria

When Birath and his mother fled Iraq, they left without taking the essential documents they owned because they were frightened. They went to the UNHCR to register for resettlement 3 days after they arrived to Syria. I joined them to guide them through and get them to right place. Birath's Mom was optimistic to find new live for her son here starting by enrolling him in a school. I have been trying to find a school that accepts him which will be hard because they arrived after school had already started. In order to enroll in the Syria school, Birath also needs his school documents from Baghdad. However, the Iraqi authorities refused to reissue his school documents because he is not physically in the country anymore. So his learning is pending at the moment. In the meantime, I took the chance and began teach him how to use computers as well as English. It could be useful for him at some point.

Birath

My name is Birath, 14 years-old and in seventh grade. I came to Syria 4/10/2008 with my Mom because the situation was bad. One of my brothers was killed by Shiite militia and the others was kidnapped 16 months ago.
Then my Mom was scared so she didn't allowed me to go out of the house about one year. I lost one year of school where I also couldn't meet with my friends.

I will continue my study here, make new friends, my ambition is to be a military officer . My hobby is playing soccer.

The crises continue

It has been "quite" here these days. Schools has started now. Some of the Nationwithoutanative kids went to school here. Some others could not. So they return back to Iraq. I can see why they went back. They tried to find hope for future in long time here but they couldn't. Especially after they spent their savings. It's not easy to return back when it is still unsafe which means they had more serious crises and hardships.

From time to time I go to visit Iraqi families. I listen to what they have to say. Then leave them without any answer for I don't know what the answer is myself. I can't do anything for them but I still feel it is good to listen to them. It is easier sometimes to talk to the young about hope.

Anything new with me?
I stay here, don't move forward or backward. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. No chance to study or chance to go back to Iraq. No chance to work or live a safe life. it's very difficult to wait for the unknown for it might be worse than today. Then I would regret the time thinking about tomorrow.

Allen L

Hi all,

I'm Allen L. Isaac, 21 years old. I graduated from high school, scientific branch. Then I studied Management and Economics in Mosul city north of Iraq. Due to the increase of the terrorist groups and threats against the innocent, my father taught in a church in Mosul city. One day he was threatened to to be killed is he didn't leave the church. Notifying the police, my old sister was kidnapped and we were asked to pay a ransom for her release. We asked my uncle to go and pay it. After he paid the ransom the police found him killed.



I just can't forget what happened to my uncle; unforgettable scene. My sister will never have a good future after being kidnapped. Although now she is released, it is still a stigma that she was kidnapped. We have an unknown future after I left school and came with my family to Syria



Here in Syria I was hoping to complete my study but I was shocked when I tried to apply in Damascus College as it costs a lot of money and my financial situation is not good. My parents are not in a position to manage to lend me the money. Thus, we have lost hope to pursue and finish our university studies.



However my childhood memories are still in Iraq so I am still hoping to serve my country after I finish my study and go back to my homeland.



I am very much into new technologies. I also I like reading E books especially history books, and listening to Brayan Adams and others' rock music.

God Bless You

First Time

This is their first time being in an internet cafe ever. I took them to try internet cafes computers after 7 sessions of training. They were amazed by the experience
It's first one for them to try the internet, after 7 times to study about the computer. As you see in the pictures, they are very curious to learn more. They are really smart kids.
I am hoping to be able to get some financial support to bring them to the internet cafe more often , and to increase the number of kids taking these classes. Please, if you like to support this project, donate a computer or $ to .....

Class To Teach Iraqi Kids

The 30th of July,2008, is the first day of class to teach Iraqi kids how to use the computer. I expect they will enjoy it and quickly understand.
I fell glad to help them. hopefully, we can compensate them for the dark days they suffered, even if only a little bit . I will teach them at their homes , where I can use my computer to teach the student.
Though I should have four computers for this project . it's difficult to work without support .

The main problems I face is that I'll need a long time to teach them because they don't have computers , and because they live in different areas.

Mustafa

My name is Mustafa Mayaz Bassim. I am a 9 years Iraqi lived in Diyala city north of Baghdad. Now I live in Damascus, Syria. I was in fourth grades before I left Iraq.

When the U.S. troops killed my cousin and bombed my school, when I saw the helicopters flying over our house and bombing other houses, and when my uncle was kidnapped in Baghdad, my family decided we didn't want to stay there anymore.

I saw many insurgents attacking U.S. troops. As they attacked the insurgents back, I saw many dead bodies in the streets and thrown in trash. They raided my house many times looking for those insurgents. The scariest scene was when, in the down, I saw a dead body in my grandpa house then when the U.S. troops came to the house looking for it, they thought it belonged to us. Then they bombed the house next to ours. I was very scared.

I like sports and my wish is to be a doctor. I like to go back to my school yet I am afraid of the Americans. I would love to have friends from Syria the same way I had many friends in Iraq.

Ameer

Ameer is one of Nativewithoutanation members. Here is the latest with him: After he is done with his final examination for this year, he decided to work for the Summer holiday. He found a job in a laundrmat. When I asked why don't you just enjoy yourself and relax, his answer was "I am happy to do this because it makes my father happy that I am bringing some money home out of this work and that I am learning how to be responsible. However, it is becomes tiring when I do it ten hours a day. Still when I go to bed, I sleep and think that it is more important that my father is happy".