Marwa is a recognized refugee from Syria. She has been in Greece with her family since April 2019. Omar is one of her three children, 10 years old. The family is supported by Terre des hommes Hellas, in the open accommodation facility for refugees in Skaramagas, near Athens.
- What has changed in her life in the camp after COVID-19?
- What challenges does her family face?
- How does the family deal with the fact that, as recognized refugees, they are required by law to leave the camp and find housing and work on their own?
- How are they supported by the Tdh Hellas team?
They tell us:
Omar: I like the word “ti kaneis“ [in Greek: how are you] because it sounds nice. My mom doesn't know as much Greek as I know from school, so she keeps asking me what this and that means. She is a good student!
Marwa: Before the pandemic, we had a normal life here in the camp, the children went to school and I was taking Greek and English lessons. Now we are locked down in the container. Fortunately, Omar helps me not to lose touch with my learning :)
Omar: I like Greek food and sweets. Almost as much as Syrian ones. I like peas with rice the most.
Marwa: The lockdown due to the virus has a very strong effect on one of my children, which is autistic, which is why I take it out for a short walk every day, late in the afternoon, when there are not many people around. I'm not afraid that we will get the virus, we just panicked at first, and we were suspicious of everyone. Now I just double wash everything and respectfully observe the preventive measures, I consider them very critical if we want to stay healthy.
Marwa: It has not been easy for us to travel here from Syria. Apart from what we experienced in the war when we came to Greece we even had to stay on the road, homeless, before we ended up here. The child suffered, was bitten, injured himself, it was very bad. As recognized refugees, we know that at some point we have to leave the camp and go on our own, without the support for asylum seekers. It is not easy for us, however. My child reacts to any change in the environment, he has suffered from so many transfers. A whole psychological preparation is needed before we decide to take the big step.
Omar: I like school. At school, I am never bothered by children from Greece. But some children who speak other languages have beaten me.
Marwa: I want to learn Greek to find a job. My husband runs a small shop here in the camp and earns 10 euros a day. In Syria, he has done various jobs, he knows many things. He was an ironmonger, then an employee of the electricity company, and knows how to do cable connections, he was even a real estate agent. I hope we can make it through.
Marwa: I haven't had any financial help for my autistic child since we left Syria. Terre des hommes Hellas has been very supportive. He has helped us to find a psychiatrist and examine the child, as well as to get access to a hospital, to have medical examinations. Even with food, it helps us, along with DRC, as we don't have enough money.
Omar: When I grow up I will become a football player. I'm training with two coaches here at the camp. They’ve even taken me to visit the big stadium in Athens!
Marwa: Life in the camp is quiet these days. And in the container where we live it is also quiet. Would it be because my husband is out at the shop all day? :)
Τerre des hommes Hellas offers comprehensive child protection services in nine open accommodation facilities for refugees in mainland Greece, in collaboration with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC Greece) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM Greece), supported by the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund #AMIF of the European Union #DGHOME #EUHome Affairs”