EPISODE 2: No place like home
EPISODE 2: No place like home
Welcome in the home of Abdul, Farida and the children. In their old familiar home, where their own things were in their established order. Where their friends could come and go as they pleased. Where mother Farida could find the tea with her eyes closed. How can Farida and Abdul turn their shelter into a home.
Watch episode 2 in the series “Between lives” and discover which simple elements are essential to feel safe at home:
A longer conversation with Farida: What was her life in Syria like?
“Together with my husband I owned a shop. That shop was a part of our home, which also contained two bedrooms and a living room. The house was big enough for all of us. Outside we had a little garden where I grew oranges, olives and almonds. I loved that garden, it was a nice space for my children to play.
“I never thought that I would ever be in Jordan”
“We were happy. My husband and my son worked in the store, and I worked in the garden. We did not need anything else and we never thought we would ever have to leave that place. I never thought we would ever end up in Jordan, not even for a holiday. But here we are. We are treated well, but it is very difficult to be away from home.”
“I want to return back home, to the life we once had. Our future is there. I want my children to be able to grow up in their own country. I want to be buried there.”
What does Farida miss the most?
Especially during Ramadan I miss my old life. We would celebrate Ramadan in a big way, with our children, our friends and our family. Every day of Ramadan was very special and lovely. We would cook large meals and the big eating table would be full of different dishes. Here, everything is different. Every family has their own problems, everyone has a heavy heart due to sadness. Every family has lost a loved one. Everyone was forced to flee.
“My youngest daughter is suffering from a depression. We gave her a Syrian bird of paradise. The bird reminds her of home and of the fact that one day we will return.”
The army destroyed a great part of house and then used our house as a checkpoint. We were forced to flee our homes. We fled and arrived here. At first we thought we would stay for about a month, and that after that we would be able to return to Syria and restart our normal life.
A few of my children have given up hope about returning home one day. At home in Syria they were happy, they played, they sang and they danced. Here in Za’atari they are safe. But they have lost their happy spirit in life.”