In 2011, when the war began in Syria, we didn’t realize that it would affect us in Aleppo, but in 2012, it came. At first, it was a bit far away. Then, it began to cover the whole city. When we were at home, we could hear bombs, tanks, and snipers, and we were very worried about what would happen to us. It was so difficult to travel around at that time because there were a lot of gunmen on the streets and they were doing bad things like taking people from the buses and killing them. We didn’t know what to do, but eventually we decided my husband would go to Lebanon to live with his aunts and that I would join him later if he could get a job.
There were so many bad things happening in Aleppo at that time. One day a soldier was killed by a sniper in front of my son and I – we saw how he was killed and dropped on the ground, and after that, my son was very scared, and he was crying all the time. He asked me not to go outside. As soon as my husband found a job, my son and I joined him.
We stayed in Lebanon for five years, but all that time my sister was still living in Syria. One day, her son was on a school bus when a rocket hit the bus and he was killed. He was only six years old. We were very upset about what happened. We still can’t forget it. He was very young and such a good boy. My sister has had a baby girl now, but she still cries every day for her son who was killed. They are not safe in Syria – there are bomb attacks everywhere. But her husband doesn’t want them to move to another country, and I feel sad and worried for them.
One day, my brother told me that Australia was open for refugees, and that it was a very beautiful and safe country. We applied but we didn’t really have any hope, because thousands of people were applying for that visa and being refused. But after four months, I received a phone call from the Australian embassy in Lebanon. During our interview, they told us that maybe after three months, we could already move to Australia. I couldn’t believe it, and I couldn’t sleep that night. I thought about leaving my roots and moving to another country, and it was a very strange and scary feeling.
When we arrived here, at first it was hard to accept, because it’s a different culture, different people, and a different mindset, but when we started English school, my mood changed for the better. I made a lot of friends and my teachers were very good. People have been very kind to us in Geelong – everyone is trying to help us in every way they can.
I think we are lucky to be here, and we are thanking the Australian government for supporting us and helping us in so many ways.
Shoghig
Arrived 2017
Syria
Photograph: Christine Morrissy http://morrissyphotography.com/
#refugees #Syria #Geelong #Australia #migrants #migration #storiesnotstereotypes
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Welcome to Australia! Best wishes for a long and happy life here
Lots of luck in your new country. So sorry about your little nephew.
Welcome! Remember that you’ll now get the best of both worlds – the great bits from home and the new experiences of Australia. I do hope Australia starts to feel like your new (second) home.
Wow. Such stories behind smiling faces. You never know what people have been through. Thankyou for sharing your story. Welcome to Australia, we are blessed to have you.
Welcome to Australia, may your new life here bring you much happiness, good health and many new friendships. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing your story, Shogig. Wishing you and your family much love and success now that you are here with us????
Welcome. We are so fortunate to have your family in Australia. Your story is heart breaking. I can’t for a second, understand what all that felt like. I trust you will be happy and safe in Australia.
Welcome to Australia Shoghig! It’s an incredibly big life event when you move from everything you’ve known to start a new life in a new country. For us it was like starting our whole adult life all over again. There will be ups and downs for sure but hold on tight to that safety, freedom and opportunity. I’m so glad you are all together 🙂 I pray for your sister and her family’s safety. It’s hard when those you love are still living in danger daily. All the best to you three! To new beginnings ❤️
Welcome to Australia. I’m so sorry for what you have had to endure and for the loss of your nephew. You are safe now. We will look after you here. You are now one of us. Enjoy what Australia has to offer you all and immerse yourselves in our community. May your future be full of happiness. ????
These are the stories f so many lovely families of my school where I am blessed to be principal.
My heart aches for Syria every day. I hope one day your country will heal and your sister will be safe again ????
Yes, Welcome! Many of us will never understand what life was like for you before Australia. We hope you thrive in Australia xx
It’s so hard to even begin to understand what it must have been like to live like that. Welcome and wishing your family every happiness in your new life in Australia x
Welcome!! I love these stories although I wish we didn’t have so much horror in the world causing such tragedies.
Thank you so much for sharing your story & welcome. Geelong is a lovely city, i hope your family will be happy there.
Welcome to Australia! We are so lucky and privileged to have you come to live here!
Welcome to Australia. I can’t even imagine what you have been through. You are safe now. Best wishes to your family.
Best wishes for a good life for you and your family still in Syria.
I traveled through Syria in 2008. Everyone thought that as a blonde, unmarried, women in her 20’s I was crazy to travel there independantly. I found Syria and Aleppo in particular to be a beautiful and friendly place. I spoke very little Arabic but found people would always go out of their way to assist me. I hope that Australia gives you and your family the same hospitality that I was given in Syria. Welcome to Australia.
Similar story to mine. I’m a refuge from Cyprus. Been in Australia for 41years. Welcome to Australia!!!????????
It is just unimaginable that circumstances would arise that would force anyone to have to leave their home. I am so pleased that my homeland has welcomed you and your family. We have always been a country that has accepted those from a myriad of origins and they have contributed to this amazing place. I hope you feel safe and happy. Welcome!
Thank you for all the love and support.
Welcome to Australia! May your heart find love, rest, peace and healing here. Much love to your family. ❤️
Welcome to Australia! I hope that you will have a happy life here and that the good memories you make, will give you some relief from the grief you have experienced.
Wow! What an eye-opening story of your journey. It could be any of us… the war seems far away… it got closer but you never thought it would be you. Then they were there and it was too dangerous to move around the streets. You didn’t want to leave home, your family. You are grieving the loss of your nephew.
You are humans. You are welcome. Isobelle #bringthemhere #manus #nationaldisgrace