SU_A_20

[i] Can you introduce yourself? Who are you?
[r] I am [name], I am 29 years old, I am from Syria. I am married and I have three children, two sons and one daughter. I studied marketing at the University of Aleppo. I like to cook, that’s my hobby.
[i] You like to cook?
[r] Yes I like to cook. I also like to read, And like to surf the internet.
[i] Do you remember what your earliest memory is?
[r] Yes when I was little I started with my first year to learn. That was really a year for me, I wanted to start writing and reading. I was always the first in my class.
[i] A good student?
[r] Yes, very good. That was in 1996. On the other hand, that was also a bad year for me, Because my dad died then.
[i] in ’96?
[r] Yes, in ’96. I was in the first year.
[i] How old were you?
[r] I was almost six and a half years. What happened to your dad then?
[r] He had a problem with his heart. He had that almost three or five years, I am not certain because I was still small at the time. He had problems and had to go to the hospital more often, and then he died.
[i] That memory is still real
[r] Yes in your head because your father died then? You were six years old? where did you live somewhere? In which house, how used to be? I lived in a village called Saraqib. That is in the province of Idlib. Idlib is a small city. Idlib is a forgotten state in Syria There were 600 people lived in 2008. Idlib is 24 kilometers from Turkey. My city is almost lying 50 kilometers from Turkey. The people there are friendly. We want to visit each other. If anyone has a problem, Everyone comes there to visit him. they then ask what happened. If someone has to go to the hospital or have a disease, many people come to visit person. in the hospital, at that time. They don’t wait until he/she returns home. immediately to the hospital, And they ask how things are going. If that person needs help, Is that done by everyone.
[i] How many inhabitants does Saraqib have? 1000?
[r] almost 6000. A very small city.
[r] Yes. 60,000 sorry.
[i] 60,000 ok.
[i] Can you tell something about your family? Your brothers, your sisters.
[r] We are a large family, Because my dad was married to two women. With my mom and my aunt. My Mama has nine children, Four girls and five boys. Aunt has two sons and three daughters. We lived in the same house, we had a big house. The house consists of two floors. Downstairs there were also two departments. first ate and played together, We had no problems with each other.
[i] Can you tell something about your youth? Growing up in Syria in the past.
[r] Sorry? can tell you something about your childhood, going to school. Until when to go to school, When work, how old? until 2003, then I was almost 13 years old, I was in the eighth grade. when I was 13 years old I started my first job. I normally worked during the holidays, or during the weekend. with my cousin, my cousin had a small problem with the decoration and gyproc.
[i] a company?
[r] A small company, as a self -employed person. I wanted to work with him during the holidays. I had no vacation to play or to go swimming. I didn’t want that, because I wanted to learn a profession, with my studies. because the situation in Syria was a problem. If you cannot follow a good study, you must have a profession. That is important for someone from Syria. Because life is difficult in Syria, you have to work and study. If there with your studies … I have a story for you of such a situation. someone studied at the university. When he graduated, he had to work abroad in construction. to work in construction at another desk.
[i] Like your brother, who had already started working abroad in the past?
[r] yes my brother … In 2006 he left for Cyprus.
[r] He stayed there for three years.
[r] He worked there for three years in the construction sector.
[i] who?
[r] [name].
[i] [name], okay, your oldest brother?
[r] Yes, he is dead.
[r] He worked in three years Cyprus, in the construction sector
[r] He came back after three years, And is married to his wife.
[r] And then he was in … Normally you have to leave one month Syria to for example …
[r] then you have to do your military service.
[r] someone of 18 years must serve in the army.
[i] Sharking service?
[r] yes 19 years old.
[i] In Dutch it is called military service, service in the army is military service.
[r] legislation
[i] military service, did you do that too? No, I didn’t do that because I was a student. because I was a student. I gave a paper from my university every year with a stamp. so they let me study automatically for one year.
[i] so you started working when you were 13 years old. and then also start studying at the university in Aleppo, Marketing as you told.
[i] What was life in Syria, Saraqib, Aleppo for you? Before the war. for 2011, 2012?
[r] 2012
[i] for 2012, how was life like?
[r] I think it was a normal life, it was good. That is a bit safe. No weapons, no air bombs, no drones with TNT they throw over you. Maybe you could go outside with your family, To travel within the city. Maybe you could go to a coffee shop with your friends after work. to sit together. but later, in 2012, has all changed. I couldn’t get out of my house. If I wanted to do that I had a problem. my mom told me that I had to stay inside, it’s dangerous outside. Because the bombs of the government army, always came down to us. Sometimes 20 bombs, sometimes 30 bombs If you were to walk on the street, the bombs might fall on me or on our house.
[i] But life before the war Was also like a dictatorship, isn’t it?
[r] yes
[i] because people were also arrested and had to go to prison? of your family too?
[r] Yes, I tell you about the situation in general, about life. but about a political life, I call that a political life, cannot talk to you. It is literally so that you are not allowed to open your mouth if you have to go to the dentist. For example, if I don’t like Bashar Assad, that’s a big problem. Then you don’t believe in the God? for the people who of He is a God to keep Bashar Assad. You must always pray for him, not for another god, But especially for him, yes yes. If you want, Can you view that on YouTube. I have seen that in a movie, someone tells a child that he should say: “Bashar Assad is my God.” That child says: “No, Bashar Assad is not my God.” Then they killed him.
[i] You had told me about your cousin who used to be in prison.
[r] Yes, I will tell. in Syria … are many people who work with the government under the table. for example, I have a friend. I always go for a walk with him and I always eat with him. But he actually works in secret together with Bashar Assad. then he passes all the information. For example, I have a cousin. I used to know everything about him. I knew everything, his name is [name]. He was a boy then. He was in military service. When he returned, That happened in 1982, there was another problem with Hafiz Assad, the father of Bashar Assad. It was about the same problem. You can find it on the internet. There was a group against Hafiz Assad, they fought against each other. But my cousin was in Damascus with his military service, another city. The problems were then in Hama. sometimes also in Idlib and sometimes in Aleppo. when he came back home from his military service, two or three days after the police came and took him. That was in 1982. He left with them, To whom or to where? Nobody knows. for 15 years his family asked himself where [name] was. they asked the security agents where [name] was, But they said they didn’t know that. After 15 years his mom kept asking where he was. The people from the government went to his house and took him with him. she says that they can still interrogate him a bit to bring him back home. But he didn’t come back. After 15 years they started looking for him. After 16 or 17 years old they found him in Palmyra. There is a large, old prison. When someone talks about the government, he has no place in society. He must then go to prison. for 15 years you can’t see light, he always had to stay downstairs.
[i] in the basement?
[r] yes always in the basement. Palmyra is, you know that, Palmyra is an old city. but underground is a large and old prison. If you call loudly, nobody will hear you. Always when you were against the government, you were brought there. there was no medication, For example, you got a piece of potato for the whole day. afterwards you always received lashes. If you say something bad, You have to walk around with something at your feet. or with fire they started burning you. or lashes with cables.
[i] and what happened to [name], then? Have you seen him?
[r] yes, and for [name] Is that a long story. I wanted to go to Lebanon, for example, that’s normal. We have three months of vacation every year. I went to Lebanon to work, to make money. on the border with Lebanon, on Syrian, they asked me: “What do you know about [name]?” “Who is [name]? “[name] Your cousin.” ‘[name], my cousin, Yes what’s with him? ” “We ask you what you know about [name].” ‘I know everything. He is in the prison of 1982, My Year of birth is 1989. How can I know that about [name]? I heard someone there [name] is mentioned in the family, But I never saw him. ” “Ah okay, go on.” If you wanted to look for a job, my cousin has also done his military service, they also asked [name]. “What do you know about [name]?” I am as old as [name], he is from 1987. “I don’t know everything about [name].” He did not get Kalashnikov and always had to sit on the couch. because he was the cousin of [name], who The government was included in 1982. He had done nothing wrong. But I’m going to give you an example: If I hate you, And I work in secret for the government, I can pass on a message about you to them. “That man is not good, he always talks about Bashar Assad, or Hafiz Assad.” Then you get a stamp and it is done. Maybe you get 30 years or 40 years in prison, And your family knows nothing about you.
[i] afterwards was [name] free?
[r] Yes, almost in 2006. His family no longer knew who he was. We asked a lot about you, but they told We knew nothing about [name]. He has been in prison for 25 years. When releasing they said: ‘Sorry We were wrong Please forgive us. ” after 25 years.
[i] But he was in prison because he had spoken badly about Assad?
[r] No no, but as I already told you everyone can write something about you. ‘He talks about the government, he talks about the police, he gets weapons, he gets Kalashnikovs. ‘ But that’s not true. Everything to … “I call him.” I know the name of the person who works in the safety police. He always writes a report for the government. for example other … during the presidential election for example, we have Bashar Assad, Bashar Hafiz Assad and Bashar Suleyman Hafiz Assad. From these three names you have to choose one president. Bashar Assad, Bashar Hafiz Assad, that’s the same name or bashar Suleyman Hafiz Assad. That is the grandfather, the father and Bashar. That is actually one person. It’s a game, but you have to choose. Who do you want to choose? Bashar Assad. If you didn’t start vote, Do you have a problem. Then they ask me: ‘Why not have you been? I haven’t seen you there. ” “No no, I went to school.” You have to vote in the school. where you have to put the ballot in a box. in the school, that was in the school. I said to him, I went there But he told me he hadn’t seen me. I want to go back again. Okay. I was small, almost 14 years old, 16 years old.
[i] and then the war had started? Then you were studying in Aleppo
[r] Yes
[i] What had happened then?
[r] When the war had begun, I went to university. I started my studies in 2009. I have already told you that I studied marketing. I always went back and forth to Aleppo with a small bus. There was a checkpoint during the war. They always asked me: “Which city are you?” “I’m from Saraqib.” Before all weapons, planes and everything came, came to the government army to our village. and then they left again. That was a difficult period. When I went to Aleppo, they asked me at a checkpoint from where I came: ‘Are you from Saraqib, yes? Then you are Isis. ‘Why Isis? I am a student ‘I said. ‘No no no, you are Isis. If you are from the province of Idlib, you are at ISIS. ” “Okay, what’s going to happen in Aleppo today? ” I said “I don’t know what’s going to happen in Aleppo. ” “No no, you know everything about what will happen at the university. After maybe one hour the bus left, but I had to wait with them. the next bus came, and it went away again. That happened once or twice. again the same questions. For example, I am someone who was not fun for the soldiers, I would be taken to prison immediately. Why? Because I can’t stand you. You have to go to prison. That was normal. They always decide the same thing, The people who work for the government. You then had to get off at the Checkpoint. for example, If you smile that was not good. You have to go to prison, don’t get off.
[i] and then you had become scared, And you didn’t go to …
[r] Yes I was scared, because I was thinking at any time: I want to die now. That is a problem. Weapons, Tanks, Kalashnikovs, dynamite, everything. Soldiers in full outfit. Complete war, but there was no one. and the federal security service with their … The group consists of the army, the police and the security service. The security agents must come from Alawi, one place where the family Bashar Assad comes from. other people came from other families, that’s no problem.
[i] when the war started, How was it in Saraqib for you?
[r] the people, you mean what happened, and what the problem was in Saraqib with Bashar Assad? the first time was difficult everywhere. but before the war, In 2012, there was one problem in Daraa, That is a province in Syria. Then the people from my village rose against what happened in Daraa. I think it happened in Daraa or not, but the children Did the walls write that Bashar was no longer allowed to stay in power. that happened and I saw it on TV. You heard what happened in Lybia and Egypt. The others played on the wall. and then there was a man, Atef Najib, That was a responsible general there. He made the decision of all children to take off the fingernails That was the first time in 2012, March 15. and then they rebelled at my home. Against what happened to the children. Why is that allowed? then the police came to our village. there they shot a group of people with Kalashnikovs, I’ve seen that. They shot the people with Kalashnikovs. just for that reason. Why asked or free? The first time the people asked: “Bashar Assad, please, try everything.” for example, I am a student and I want to finish my studies, But I have no work. I want to leave for Syria, And may not return after three, four or five years. To build a future. But that is not true in Syria, you have to always stay, Because the government decides. For example, you can’t just work and start a business. You then have to pay a lot more people and money. if you want to start a small company. You have to pay more taxes to the government, but the government does not give people back everything. For example, if you have no work here in Belgium, the OCMW gives your support. If you want a job, you have to pay taxes. That’s normal, That’s a good system. But you have to pay there, But you can’t take anything from the government. But people say to him: ‘Please, try the situation in To use Syria. ” We have petroleum, we have tourism We have beautiful places to visit for Europeans. I know that Europeans came to Syria every year to visit the country. Because there are old buildings, and the weather is good. But there is no money for people. It’s all going to the Bashar Assad family. If you want to make a toilet, You have to pay to Bashar Assad. not for you.
[i] And what had happened to your family when the army came to your village?
[r] in 2012, on March 23, The army came to our village. The first time I was sleeping. I heard the people calling on the street: “The army tanks are coming to Saraqib!” “Stay all in your house, and don’t come out.” I stayed at home and went to our terrace. I looked from on our terrace to the other side. I saw weapons, tanks and soldiers shouting: ‘nobody is allowed on the street, stay in your houses! ‘ That is normally my brother [name] was at work when he heard that he came back immediately. It was almost half past nine in the morning. First, where we live is at the start of the street. The first house is our house. They came to our house and asked our identity card. and it’s normal for our family that there is many people. My sisters visit us every Saturday or every Friday. and that was in 2012. On March 23 2012 they were just visiting us. I have seven sisters, and each sister has a minimum of two or three children. So we were with more people. When the army to We could not return to their houses. they had to stay with us. They came in and the general asked our identity card early. “Here is my identity card.” I was there, [name], my sister’s man, My little brother, [name] and my cousin. He lives close to us in an apartment. He lives close to our house, and was visiting us. They checked the identity cards, okay no problem. The soldiers continued to the first floor, and check everything, no problem. [The doorbell rings – interview stops for a moment]
[i] So They went to the first floor to also check?
[r] They checked everything, But found nothing. Because I have already told you that we had no weapons. We are simple people, I am a student, my brother just works. We work to live, To eat and drink. then they left. From that moment we no longer had electricity. It was almost winter and summer, it was spring. no electricity, no water, And that lasted three days, or four. I’m not sure. on the second day, It was almost six o’clock in the morning. and we heard a lot of noise, what happened? We walked to the other side of our house. We have two departments below. We all went to the window. My cousin’s family was close to us. They cannot walk or walk, they are in a wheelchair. They could not go outside to come to us, that was a problem. then you immediately became like someone from ISIS. You became a target of the soldiers. When someone came out of his house, Was it a target for the army. they tried to bring him to us from the other side from the other side. there was a bad scent, of the bombing. After almost one hour of try, they could go back to the other side. The soldiers came, And [name] and [name] walked outside to ask why we were bombed. Why we were shot with RPGs. I told him that that is not our job That it would cause a big problem. “They will kill you.” “No,” he said “I want to ask and come back.” They left, so And were almost 100 meters away from our house. they asked, please, Why do you rely us with the RPG? We are people, we are at home with a large family with children. the general immediately said: ‘You have 15 minutes, if your building is not free, we come in with the tank on it. [name] said “Okay, okay okay.” And they both went back. He told me that we had to empty our house. We have to flee with our family to my aunt’s house and uncle. we have to do that. When we went outside, everything was destroyed. All walls of the second floor were on the ground. We didn’t know what had happened. We left, and there were men, soldiers and generals, who shouted: ‘All men must come back to us. I was there with the son of [name], he was then five months old. I gestured with my hand that I didn’t hear it and left. [name] left for them. I still shouted to him that he had to come back, But he said, “No, no, we have no problems with the government, and are back within five minutes. ” “It’s not bad, gone away!” I went to my aunt’s house. I waited five to six o’clock for him. but [name] did not return, there was something wrong. she was visiting her family. to know what the problem was. He was normally not followed by the army. It is a problem for her that they shot on him. but she left them, among the trees. There is a place where there are more trees. and between the trees she could walk away. When she returned to the house, she saw [name] and [name] on the floor, with blood that ran over the ground. That’s how she told us. Then we could not take them to our house. because it, As I told you was evening. At almost 9 pm the soldiers arrived with a small car. We had to clean the street with hands on the ground. “Come!” He took a group of people and always said: “You and you and you come along.” They came to pick us up and dropped us off. What was the problem? Why? Until today I still don’t know.
[i] And afterwards, What happened to you afterwards? That had happened to your brothers, and so on, and afterwards? What happened afterwards?
[r] What do you mean?
[i] After the army arrived, people had shot: your brother and the husband of your sister. did the army leave afterwards? Were there bombs afterwards? Or what happened? [ interpreter translates into Arabic.]
[r] Then, no, we did not stay in our house, we immediately left. because they were also really scared. They too were scared. by Isis. That is a game from the government. The soldiers were not sure either. In the past, I am talking about the past, 2012. The soldiers were not sure if there might be ISIS members. not just stepping into the houses, maybe Isis is sitting there.
[i] Were there members of ISIS in Saraqib?
[r] No ISIS. later, then?
[r] Later in 2014, almost in 2013, a new group was created. They said, “We are a country of Islam” if you agreed with their opinion, there was no problem, but if you didn’t agree, you were unbelieving. then you were a target for them.
[i] The army then left, did they return with planes and bombs?
[r] Sorry?
[i] The war had begun, The army had arrived, they shot family from you. What happened to you afterwards? Have you kept waiting there?
[r] I was in Syria until 2015 I have seen almost everything. You could always see planes, those bombs threw on the people. Perhaps after four days a helicopter will come to our village, with five drones full of TNT. The pilot must then throw everything on a village. He doesn’t think of the people, the children, the women, He has no problems with that. They even know that there is no ISIS downstairs. because they started this in 2013. Then there was no Isis, where is Isis? I saw that there were drones who let everything explode below. That was before Russia and Bashar had made a deal. The problems started to get really big when Russia arrived in Syria.
[i] When did you flee from Syria and why?
[r] I?
[i] Yes.
[r] Now I tell you in English. because the situation in Syria was not good. I could not find job, I couldn’t find everything. I could not to bring food, eat, for my family. Because all the people there were afraid of the aircraft. They could not do anything in their house, and fix problem. For example, I have the windows on the floor, I will not fix. Because I will think tomorrow or today the aircraft come to my town and will destroy everything. So you couldn’t find job. If you have lessons at the university, you don’t have lessons. If you was normal employee, you cannot find job. You cannot find a diesel either, or electricity. You must pay every month, for example, 10000 lira That is more of me. That is a problem, Because I can’t find job. I stayed in Syria between three and four years. That was a problem for me, So I thought: I must change everything. The first time I was refused to leave my family behind. That was not easy.
[i] Also you had a wife?
[r] Yes, I thought every time: If I will come to Belgium I have [name] in Belgium, that’s good. But all my family there.
[i] But in Syria you had wife ?
[r] Yes I have wife and my children. and my mum and my sisters were in Syria. I always thought: I will not travel. But the last time my mom told me you must change your life. Because if you will stay here, you cannot find everything. I tried. [name] called me and said: ‘Life is better here. If you come we work together, we can send money for my family. ” Here I accepted, accepted the idea, I will travel. I don’t know from where, I didn’t know the way. I listen, it was dangerous way the border between Syria and Turkey. That is not easy. That is difficult to enter Turkey. Because here is more of soldiers and snipers.
[i] And checkpoints perhaps?
[r] No, yes more of checkpoints. But there is more of people worked nearby the border. You got to pay for there, for example, 200 or 300 euros, to enter Turkey. But in 2015 that was not difficult so much. It was difficult, But not same now. The first town was Antakya. First City, Sorry
[i] Antalya
[r] Antakya, in Hatay, A big city. I have there a son of my sister. I stayed in Turkey for one week. I stayed in Bodrum for three days. I waited for a man who send me to Greece. I paid him 850 euros. then he brought me a small boat. a small boat, for ten persons. But we were with 45 persons in this boat, small. We entered 45. After one hour, we arrived to Chios, That is a Greek island. The police watched us, And direct come to us. And they asked us where are you from. We told them from Syria. ‘Okay, welcome. No problem. Don’t worry, we will take you to a safe place. ” We went to a small camp, we stayed there for four days. and then they gave me, and everyone, paper you can move in Greece with the papers. I found that difficult. I don’t have internet to contact with my family in Syria. But I had Turkish line. Sometimes I had a network connection, sometimes not in Chios. When I left for Assina in Greece, I bought a SIM, a Vodafone Sim, I called my family. I told them I was in Greece. But the journey not finished. That was the first step for the way. I don’t know what I will do. I went to Anazer island, Because Greece is big. I also went to Crete, Crete island. I stayed there for seven days. I searched about someone to help me. There were in this island more of people who worked in transfer to bring people from Greece to Europe. But you must pay for there 5000 euros. 5000 euros, or more or less. I found man, and he helped me. He helped me passport. I paid him 3000 euros. That was good for him. and direct I come to [name] in Brussels.
[i] I will check my friend. [interviewer goes to his visitor]
[i] We will talk about Belgium a little bit and then finish. I will check. I come back. Stay there. [Interviewee speaks Arabic with interpreter] [Interpreter speaks Arabic on the phone]
[i] Back in Dutch, good?
[r] Yes.
[i] How was it, the first day when you are in Brussels arrived? What did you do then? the commissariat, or something else, Or seen your brother, how was it?
[r] At the first moment I saw [name]. I went to his house for one day. Then I went to the Commissariat in Brussels. I signed up there, and they sent me to the asylum center in Kapellen. I stayed there for six months. I did two interviews, And the advice was positive. They gave me a temporary residence permit. I don’t know why.
[i] That’s one year?
[r] for one year, and then extend. I have to extend it every year, this month too. I will be able to pick up a Belgian identity card later.
[i] how was it when you saw [name], Here in Belgium? What did you feel then?
[r] I have a calm and good life with [name].
[i] No, but the first day, you arrived here?
[r] Yes that was very good, I couldn’t believe it. that I was hit in Belgium could not believe [name]. after not seeing each other for one year.
[i] how was it in Kapellen, in the center?
[r] The center was good, but I spent most of the time at [name] at home. and always Syrian food, Eat Syrian dishes. I can’t eat in another country, once or twice, but always … But eating from another country is not good for me, I don’t think anyone.
[i] So after six months of chapels, Did you get papers for one year?
[r] for one year yes. I had a positive story after one year. then I searched an apartment, and found one in Berchem. I lived there for two and a half years, and then I left for Hoboken. Now I live in Hoboken. The first time in Antwerp I went to school to Learn Dutch. That is important. I’m not going to talk about you, Because that story is too long. I started with Dutch, That was a bit difficult for me. not very difficult because I understand some words from English. and of grammar in English I know everything. After a year and a half I registered with the VDAB to look for work. I asked if I, I have experience with the computer. They sent me to Intec Brussels to follow a course. I did three tests in Brussels. After three tests I received a positive answer. then I started with the IT training Network Technes, in Brussels. I am almost ready now, And I am still unemployed, job seeker. Yesterday I received money at the OCMW, but I may want to return the OCMW money from next month. pay taxes.
[i] And when did your family come?
[r] My family came here on November 10, 2016. I waited for almost a year and three months for them. That was different for them. I left my wife pregnant She gave birth in Syria, And then came here. They first went to Turkey, to the consulate there. They gave all the documents they needed to come here. After six months she picked up their Visa and left here with the children.
[i] with the two children?
[r] No I have three. One daughter and two sons.
[i] All born in Syria?
[r] Yes in Syria. how was it, You also did volunteer work?
[r] Yes, I certainly did that. I worked in a center for old people. I worked there as a volunteer. I have always searched for volunteer work because it is good to practice your Dutch. I gave food to the old people, and then could talk to them. I could already hear some dialect. You can hear the original dialect there.
[i] How long was that?
[r] almost six months. I also have jazz Middelheim worked, a festival that in every year Antwerp takes place. In the large park at music performances they also look for volunteers. You could do that every year if you want. This is how you get to know new people, with Belgians.
[i] How was the contact with the old people? Were they afraid of you?
[r] no no no, Because I worked four days a week. I didn’t have a job. To practice Dutch, I had to go there. Always when I wasn’t there said the assistant of the retirement home: ‘Yesterday you were not there, And many people asked where [name] was. ” I always helped them to take them to their room.
[i] Push the wheelchair, helping get up?
[r] yes
[i] walk outside?
[r] No not walking, because they were all sick.
[i] they had to stay inside?
[r] yes inside the care center, on the airball.
[i] Have you sometimes had problems with discrimination in Belgium?
[r] No, I don’t want to see that. But when I see that, that’s normal Because I say something wrong. They sometimes don’t understand me When I say something to old people. If they don’t understand you, they sometimes call you: “I don’t have time to understand you.” That’s normal. That happened in the beginning, When I couldn’t talk Dutch yet. “You have to bring an interpreter.” I think it’s her right because she has more jobs. or sometimes I said ‘no, calm, I don’t understand you. Can you repeat it? Not too fast to understand someone, Can you find a solution. and for my Dutch, an important point is that I have a friend here, a Belgian. He is also 29 years old and has also studied marketing. He always sent emails about it. I started talking to him English. Three to four months. But then he started coaching me in Dutch. We always started playing squash, Or cycling in Antwerp, sometimes by car. He always told me what the traffic rules were to get the driver’s license. He taught me the traffic signs and said for example If there was a hazard plate. In Dutch.
[i] And now you have your driver’s license?
[r] Yes, I got my driver’s license in Belgium, in Dutch. I tried it twice in Arabic, but I was not successful. When I tried it in Dutch, I was successful. with practice and the theory. Dutch.
[i] Do you still have a lot of contact with family members in Syria?
[r] Yes, every day. Almost every day, with WhatsApp on the phone. I have contact with my mom and my sisters.
[i] How are things there now?
[r] Sorry?
[i] How are things in Saraqib, good or?
[r] No not good at all. But now have Turkey and Russia contact each other. They say, “Idlib is the red line where we no longer use weapons and tanks.” on the other side of Idlib, Northern Syria, there are no problems, There is the free army. No weapons, no more tanks. But on the government side are still tanks. They think they might be going to come in again later. They always say on TV: “We are going to come to Idlib and you are going to cut with knives We are going to attack the people with the blades or shoot. ” That is always on TV, You can see that on YouTube. That is a dangerous place.
[i] How is it economic in Saraqib? Do you and [name] send money to family?
[r] Yes I and [name] always send money to Mama, because everything is expensive. to be able to buy diesel. Now the winter is coming, so it’s important to send her more money. If I find work, I want to send more to her.
[i] How much money do you send?
[r] now almost 200 euros.
[i] per week?
[r] per month.
[r] Maybe 300 euros.
[i] and without that money?
[r] No
[i] if they didn’t get money?
[r] No.
[i] What would happen then?
[r] Then there is a big problem. If she has not achieved money, that is a problem. Imagine, how can someone live there? They have no food and they have no water if you wanted to drink you had to think if you could drink four or two glasses of water that day. That is a problem if the water is gone and you have no money to get water.
[i] Is the water expensive?
[r] Duration, everything is expensive! You have to pay nearly 100 euros per month for electricity and water. For many people that is a problem. They find no work.
[i] Are you happy here now?
[r] Quiet here?
[i] Fortunately.
[r] Yes, I am happy here Belgium, certainly! It is another country. Other people, but step by step you can do the big … Step by step you can … How should I say it. Step by step you can reach the top of the mountain. I have to work.
[i] in the IT sector.
[r] The IT sector is very good. The companies then come to Intec for an interview. I gave my resume and if they need an employee, they will call me immediately.
[i] Do you want to go back to Syria?
[r] I don’t think so. To where should I return? Many of my friends are underground, his death. Most of my friends and family are dead. to where should I return? I want to try to get my mother here. That is difficult, but if I have work and [name] too, maybe. we can go through the consulate Turkey everything for my mum pay She is 60 years old and she has a problem with her sugar. She has a problem with her blood. She can’t always stand or sit. Nobody is with her. I have a brother, but he is not always with her.
[i] How is life for your children here in Belgium? Good?
[r] Yes, it is very good here for my children. You can find everything here.
[i] Do they speak Arabic and Dutch? Yes they speak Dutch well. I always asked … I always ask the teacher of my children, and they say they are talking Dutch well. and also at the same time they learn Arabic. There is a group of volunteers in Antwerp who learns that. My wife goes there with my children every Saturday. To teach my children that. It is important to learn the Arabic language, because that is my native language.
[i] What is the name of that group of volunteers? That is called
[r] Asalam School. Near Berchem, no not Berchem. Close to Plantijn. Plantijn in Antwerp. Close to the Lamorinièrestraat stop.
[i] The group of the mosque?
[r] of what?
[i] of the mosque?
[r] No no a normal group.
[i] Volunteers?
[r] Yes volunteers. There is a man, his name is Hassan, He studied Arabic in Syria. He thinks it is important that people here also learn the Arabic language. He tries to help many people with his company, a volunteer company. Then he made a large school. first it was a small school, Now there are almost 100 children. 100 children come to that school every Saturday. The city of Antwerp has promised them subsidies to help the project succeed.
[i] Do you want to add something extra, say something important?
[r] It is important to remember that when someone comes to Belgium or Europe, That person knows that there are still people in his country. I live well here and can get a good job, But I will never forget the people in Syria. I say this not only for refugees, or people from Syria, This is a message for all people from over All the world. Not especially for the refugees. There are many people who have no food there, or Don’t have a man who can buy food. Because they are dead. there are families without father, Only the children and a woman. That is a big problem. There are no schools there. Now there are children of 11 years who cannot read or write. I know there in a small village, Sorry I’m telling a long story. But I know a small project in a place close to Turkey, That is in a small village. There are almost 2 classes. Be every year there are two or three children who are born. Doctors are going to study at the university. But if there is no money, They want to close the school. There are no teachers to teach the children things. few people live there. There is also no money to make anything. For pen there is also no money. No books, that’s a problem. There are many smart people in Syria. I saw that in Germany. Doctors and engineers make everything big. In Syria we can’t do that, there We think small. But everything is open here. If you want to study at the university, no problem go. You take a test and you can register at a university. for example. here you will find everything. The government helps you to become stronger.
[i] Okay super, thank you.