Laith

Laith is one of the Iraqis involved in my group at nativewiothoutanation. He and his family have returned back to Iraq last week after they run out of their savings. It was also hard for him to see his father, who has a good job at the Ministry of Finance, washing dishes in a restaurant in Syria. Laith told me that his father gathered them all and said "My and your future is vague, we can't continue like this". Laith and his family are back in Iraq. Let's all pray for them to stay safe.

UNHCR LOGO

Six months ago, I went to the UNHCR, The United Nations High Commission for Refugees to see if they can help with my stay in Syria after my visa almost expired. They told me that they can't do anything to help me. Since then I have been facing many obstacles even in doing the simple daily life needs. Then I felt like doing this to the UNHCR logo.

Childhood

This short film is edited by Muhiman as his graduation project when he studied at the Fine Arts Institute. The grade he got was "A" even though he didn't have professional equipments.

Maryam

My name is Maryam Kareem Muhsin. I am 20 years old and a student in the College of Education, Physics Department. I was in my third year in college in 2006, but because of the threats from the militias, my family and I had to leave Iraq and all of my dreams and ambitions of becoming a successful university physics professor behind. Now I am without school or communication with science.

I tried to resume my studies here in Syria, yet it is very expensive to go to private schools. I just can't afford it. Free education in Iraq was such a good system. Everybody was able to get free education. I keep reading physics books, though, so that I keep the knowledge fresh.

I live with my parents and two brothers. I like living here because I don't have to worry about my safety.

My hobbies are reading, decor designing, learning languages and sports.

Muhimen

My name is Muhimen K. Muhsin. I am 23 years old, and a student at the College of Fine Arts, Department of Visuals and Auditoriums. I was in my second year when we decided to leave Iraq. My family and I left in 2006 due to the deteriorated security situation, especially after I worked with the media as an editor to one of the TV satellite channels in Baghdad. I was working while studying. The threats I received while working for that satellite channel was the main reason why I left Iraq.

That type of work has been my ambition for a long time. My devotion and love for my work came from my father, who is a well-known actor back in my home.

My dream has always been to become a professional journalist but because I am not either allowed to study or work in Syria, my dream is on hold. I am not giving up though. I am waiting for the first opportunity to continue my studies. Right now, and since I have a lot of time on hand, I have been trying to teach myself more English through reading English books.

Otherwise, I like to listen to soft, classical music.

Haider

My name is Haider Ali Hassan but people nick name me as Turkey because I speak Turkish very well and I love Turkey as I spent some time there. I was born in Tooz Khurmatoo city in Kurkuk in northern Iraq. I am 19 years old and I am in 10th grade. I lived and went to school in Kurkuk. I as well as my family that consists of my parents and two younger brothers left Iraq a year ago because of the security situation.

I speak four languages which are Arabic, Turkish, Kurdish, and Kuldani and some English. My hobbies are singing rap songs and break dance. My ambition is to finish my studies and go to Fine Arts college.

Right now I spend most of my time singing and dancing with my friends which I love.

Ameer, 11

My name is Ameer Mohamed and I am 11 years old. I am in 7^th grade. We came to Syria in 2006 because of the security situation. My father was kidnapped by an armed group. He was released after we paid the ransom. Now it is only me and my father who live in Syria. My mother and sisters are still in Iraq. They stay at home all the time. And my sisters don't go to school.

The one scene I will never forget is when three bombs exploded near my school. I remember the sounds of the explosions were very loud and I remember how the windows in my classroom all were destroyed. I remember very well how my father was carrying me and running through thr streets trying to get me out of the danger when the Iraqi soldiers started, after the explosion, started to randomly shooting.

I like to make new friends. It is harsh on me remembering my friend and colleague who sat next to me in school and who was run over by an unknown. My wish is to have a safer Iraq and for me to go back to Iraq.

My hobby is playing soccer and I hope to be a well-known Iraqi soccer player.

Yousef

My name is Yousef Abid and I am ten years old. I am in 3^rd grade.

I have never seen my Dad except the photos that my Mom had. My mother and father got divorced before I was born.

I came to Syria with my Mom in 2007 because of the bad security situation and after we were threatened by the Mahdi Army.

My Mom works as a waitress in a cafeteria in Syria.

I don't want to go back to Iraq right now. Syria is a better place to live in.

My only wish is to see the Statue of Liberty in the New York and take pictures there. And my ambition is to study medicine.

Asala Akram, 13

My name is Asala Akram and I am 13 years old. I am in 6th grade now. I live here with my family in Syria. I am able to go to school here. We left Iraq in August 2005 as the security situation was in constant deterioration.

I have been through so many scary situations that I feel I am changed and that I won’t be the same again. When my friend and colleague was kidnapped and then killed, I was very sad but also scared for my own safety. I always thought what it were me, and not my friend!?

One day I was going to the ladies room and I heard a noise of something ticking like a clock, when I went inside, I saw an unexploded bomb. I run away fast, told my teachers who asked all the students to leave the school. It was on my birthday. I remember I couldn’t celebrate it. I kept thinking what if I was to go to the ladies room in time for the bomb to explode.

My hobbies are reading and swimming. I like using computers although I don’t have one. My dream is to become a journalist.