In their skin
The lead character Atticus Finch said in To Kill a Mockingbird, ‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it’. ALWS’s Chey Mattner recently visited Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan, meeting refugees who live and work there; and bringing back their stories, so we can know a little of what it’s like to be inside their skin. The stories have been received in English as told to a translator in Arabic.
What the future holds for the people at Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan is unknown, says Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) Executive Secretary Chey Mattner.
‘As with any refugee, they are at the mercy of individuals (in power in their home countries)’, he says of the camp’s 80,000 residents, having met volunteer workers for Lutheran World Federation (LWF) at the camp earlier this year.
Due to your generous giving, ALWS is able to support the work of the LWF in Jordan, including at Zaatari, and the workers receive a small stipend for what they do.
But, despite their past suffering and the uncertainty facing them, the refugees show great appreciation for the work of LWF (which they refer to as ‘Lutheria’), which gives them a chance to be involved as volunteers, and, importantly, hope for a better future.
Fasil
Dad and garbage collector
I’m Fasil. When the crisis in Syria became dangerous my three daughters were at school. The regime entered the school and sent many children to jail. I rescued my daughters. My brother was tortured under the regime.
We arrived in Zaatari in 2013. We were all in one tent and just recently managed to save some money to buy a ‘caravan’ (pre-fab room). In the tent we didn’t feel cold (it can snow) or hot (40+°C) because our main feeling was that we were safe.
(My knees) often get infected, and so I’m unable to do physical work. But if I have the chance, I collect garbage at the camp. I get paid 1 Jordanian dinar ($2) a day to do this.
I hope one day I can return to Syria but it’ll be difficult because things are getting worse.
Lutheria has been a big help. I really appreciate it. It’s number one! Why? Because it has given my wife a sewing course so now she can make some clothes. My daughter received psychosocial help, and I did a barbering course. I haven’t been able to set up a shop, but at least I can cut my family’s hair.
Mohammed
LWF volunteer worker: Youth educator and supervisor for Life Skills course
My name’s Mohammed. I’m 28 years old. I was studying English literature at Damascus University before the war.
My dream is to return to Syria one day, to return to my study, and to rebuild my country again.
After graduating, I would normally need to do army service, but I don’t believe in war, so the regime put me on their wanted list. Security forces came to my house. They arrested three of my brothers and destroyed furniture.
They sent a message to me through my brothers saying, “If we catch you we will kill you and cut you up into many pieces”. I decided to leave Syria. The Free Syrian Army helped me. It was a very risky trip. Shelling and gunshots were happening every day.
During my first month (at Zaatari) I was shocked and depressed because I had left my family, friends and house. Lutheria visited me to provide support. They explained what their mission, objectives and plans were, and invited me to volunteer. I accepted because I believed in these objectives and needed to break out of my depression.
The quality of Lutheria’s work – not just to provide services but a high quality of services – and the respectful way they treat refugees, with respect and dignity, attracted me.
My dream is to return to Syria one day, to return to my study, and to rebuild my country again.
Mohammed
Barber
Hello, my name’s Mohammed. When the crisis in Syria became worse, I moved many times within Syria, but the crisis made all areas unsafe. So I brought my family to Zaatari. I made it to the camp safely, thank God.
I heard from my friends that Lutheria did courses, and thought that a barbering course might help me generate a small income for my family. I’ve been a barber now for six months. When I first came,
I became very depressed because I couldn’t help my family. I used to feel like my hands were cuffed. Now I can use my time in a good way. I don’t make much. A haircut costs one Jordan dinar ($2), and I have about three to four customers a day. Lutheria gave me my hairdressing tools as a gift when I finished.
This is my dream – to be comfortable about my children’s future, and to return one day. One of my children is only two months old. She was born in the camp and knows nothing else.
Hannen
LWF volunteer worker: Activities facilitator, art trainer, works with children through art
Hi, my name’s Hannen. The day I started university, the crisis began. My home was in the line of fire. We used to count how many bombs we heard – usually between 120 and 130 a day. The bullets came straight through the window, and that made me afraid.
‘Then I decided it was NOT THE END of the world; that it was up to me now to make a FUTURE or not with my life.;
The Free Syrian Army gave us a vehicle and escorted us to the border. We soon arrived at Zaatari. I was shocked. I stayed in the caravan for six months. I blacked out the windows and didn’t want to see anyone. It felt like it was the end of the world for me. I started hating myself for being Syrian and for being a girl.
Mum and Dad felt worried about me. They told me that Lutheria was looking for volunteers. Lutheria interviewed me, and began training me in psychosocial care and how to care for youth in this way.
And then I decided it was not the end of the world; that it was up to me now to make a future or not with my life.
I started to use my experience to help other girls like me. And now I’m very happy working for Lutheria. My dream now is to be a role model for other girls, to do political studies, and to never, ever be a victim.
Hanadi
LWF volunteer worker: Psychosocial care facilitator
Hello, I’m Hanadi. The crisis started during my final (high school) exams.
I was very afraid. One day men came into our home and took my brother. I was told that he was killed under torture. One of my friends who I went to school with had her head blown off.
The Jordanian police took us to this camp. I became depressed and started to write poems to feel better. I didn’t leave the caravan for three months.
My father said I should go to the Lutheria Youth Committee to use my talents. I volunteered for 18 months, facilitating training on violence against women and girls, early marriage and child protection. Through this I learned of the many cases of early marriage with men from Saudi Arabia because girls in the camp are cheap.
I hope one day I’m able to finish my university study and become a professional poet.
To the Syrian regime,
Listen to the echo of my voice.
In my eyes this world has become lifeless.
In one moment I lost my country.
But these are your people too.
My heart’s broken because you’ve betrayed my country
And the life of this generation is destroyed.
To my people,
Be patient.
This crisis has shown you that your country is a treasure
But you see that it is only now that you have lost it.
What people at Zaatari say about LWF
‘We’re very thankful to Australia for your interest in us. We live together in this world. We may have a different religion but we all have a beating heart.’
‘We understand it as an organisation which provides help to the vulnerable people around the world like us, without an agenda. It loves all races and religions. People in churches provide funds to help this work. This is wonderful.’
‘We are all the same. For example, in October 2014 some of us left the camp and assisted the food distribution to Christian households in Mafraq who had fled ISIS in Iraq. Before our bond was close, but now war has made us even closer.’
‘We wear the LWF logo on our jumpers. We understand it represents a dove for peace, hands that provide support for people, and the cross in the middle.’
This feature story comes from The Lutheran March 2016. Visit the website to find out more about The Lutheran or to subscribe.
