Our journey to Scotland began after many months of imprisonment in our own homes in Syria following the massacres and the siege.  Sustained by the dream of a bright future for our children, we travelled through neighbouring countries, escaping the sounds of conflict, protecting our children from the reality of war and entered through the doors of hope offered to refugees by the United Nations.

We imagined the best schools, universities and occupations for our children. We imagined moving as refugees from the Arab countries to Europe. We knew that Europe would have many differences and new difficulties but we thought that as long as our children were fine, we would also be fine.  We thought European children would enjoy strong morals, humanity and be transparent when dealing with incidences of bullying and that they would accept our children, as they had had to flee the war in Syria. 

We are now here and trying to build a new set of goals for the future and, having seen the bullying story in England, I feel that the people here hate our humanity and hate the fact we came here during these most difficult years.

Are we in a country of freedom and equality when we are exposed to harassment, humiliation and bullying?  Where is the safety and the bright future that we searched for?

December 2018

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The above blog was written by a Syrian service user accessing support from our Safe Haven project in response to the violent attack on a 15 year old Syrian boy in Huddersfield in October 2018. The Safe Haven project aims to help children and parents develop friendships with people from other communities. 

The clock featured in the photograph is the new Homs Clock Tower, which is a symbolic landmark in the city of Homs. Many of the Syrian refugees and expatriates in Europe name their shops after this clocktower – “Kareja clock”