"We were ready to die"
Yiwen Jiang
On the 19thof March 2018. Maryam, a refugee from Syria, wearing traditional Muslim robes with her deep and beautiful eyes, started telling me the dramatic story of her escape from her home country while sitting in her own restaurant.
Newcastle, a beginning of new life
“I used to live in Darra, a south-western broader city of Syria. When the civil war broke out, l began to escape and finally arrived at United Kingdom.”
“So, why you choose Newcastle as your last stop?”
“Actually, it’s not a choice but a destination. It can even be said that it’s not my dream or wish to UK and everything l know about the Great Britain comes from the book and TV. Before l came, my brothers are already here. Two of my brothers once studied in Nottingham, they gave me support and money, helping me get here. Now, we open this restaurant and work together. It’s really giving me a sense of belonging.”
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At this point, Maryam shows a contented expression.
“ So, do you fit here well? ”
“Yes, l think people in Newcastle is nice, my neighbour always say good morning to me and when they know l come from Syria, they give me support, especially the psychological support. When l work late, they even help me look after my children.”
Although Maryam has not been in England for a long time, she seems have adapted to everything here. For her everything is being restarted and her life is, very literally, beginning again from scratch.
We are ready to die!
On the 15thof March 2011, a civil war began in Syria and since this date more than four million people have escaped from the conflict.
To satisfy my curiosity and my ignorance of the cruelty of war, l inquired with Maryam as to the real situation in her hometown--Darra, a war-ridden place
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Maryam once was a teacher in Syria, however, after the outbreak of civil war, the whole city was in danger. There was no electricity, no wash machine and no safety, just like going back to the ancient times. For her, that time could be definitely called “darkest hour” because she had to cut olive trees to make fire in such a tough situation. Furthermore, she told me that she and her three brothers lived in a two-story house. At one night, in order to avoid flak, they hide altogether in one room, they prayed, feeling helpless and the children were keeping crying.
“ We always keep ourselves clean, because if we die, we are ready to die!”
The day at sea ---7 days with nothing to eat
“l just have two choices, to die or live with dignity.”
Maryam chose to go to other city.
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At first, the neighbouring country--Lebanon was her destination, however, she wasn’t allowed to work there, thus, she had to escape by boat and started her arduous journey on the Mediterranean.
“It just likes a question of ‘to be or not to be. When l was on the ship, many assumptions come to my mind. Such as: will the ship break down? The smugglers may kill me and shark will come to eat me.”
From Turkey to Greece, she floated on a broken ship with smugglers. The boat was disabled in Greece, fortunately, the local police saved her and she stranded in Greece for twenty days.
Restarting from Greece, she passed through Italy, France and Belgium and eventually arrived at United Kingdom.
“When l arrived at Heathrow, l kissed the ground and thanked the God. I feel like a champion!”
Where there is love, there is a home
When Maryam first came to England, the problems of how to live have been already in front of her. After dealing with something regular for around seven months, she finally got her identity card and started work with her family.
“In the first year, we have no wages. From 9:00 at morning to 12:00 in the midnight, l worked with my mum in the kitchen and my brothers served as chefs. For an entire year, we worked for nothing. But now things are getting better, we try our best to promote and want people to know Arab food. We publish leaflet and create home page on the Facebook.”
“Money isn’t the target, we just want to live independently and together.”
At present, Maryam has brought her two children to her side. Especially her little daughter, when she just arrived at Newcastle, she was illiterate, but right now, the teacher here gives her confidence. Speaking of her children, Maryam reveals gratified smile.
It is hard to say that Mayam has achieved a totally happier life in Newcastle, but one thing is certain that she has the love with her family here, and where there is love, there is a home for her.
“l have a plan and the first goal is my kids.” She is really charming when she exposes the brilliance of motherhood.
This great refugee mother deserves a deep blessing and this is project would lover to follow her journey.