04.05.10
From Syria
Asma is an Iraqi woman in her forties who found refuge in Syria together with her young daughter. Following the dramatic murder of her husband and continuous threats from militias, she decided one day to pack her belongings and search for a life in safety and dignity. When she arrived in Syria, she felt lost and abandoned. “My daughter and I were desperate: alone, without friends, without relatives, without hopes... No one to take care of and support us”, Asma said.
Asma is an Iraqi woman in her forties who found refuge in Syria together with her young daughter. Following the dramatic murder of her husband and continuous threats from militias, she decided one day to pack her belongings and search for a life in safety and dignity. When she arrived in Syria, she felt lost and abandoned. “My daughter and I were desperate: alone, without friends, without relatives, without hopes... No one to take care of and support us”, Asma said.
Asma graduated in Economy and was working as a Finance Manager in the National Bank of Baghdad before fleeing. Although coming from a wealthy and educated family, her background is not recognized in Syria. Ever since her arrival she has been unsuccessful in finding a job and she was forced to start selling her jewelry in order to pay for rent and her daughter’s tuition fees.
Since 2008, DRC has opened 7 community centers in and around Damascus in partnership with UNHCR, the Danish Government and SARC. The centers provide psychosocial support, legal counseling and skills training to the most vulnerable groups, particularly to those who fled from Iraq.
“I heard about Jaramana community center from a neighbor of mine and I decided to bring my CV to offer my skills. After two weeks, I was hired as a volunteer for the Library service in the center and from that very moment I started having hopes and dreams again.”
Her vocation in DRC was a turning point in Asma’s and her daughter’s refugee life: now they have friends, a social life and some financial support.
”Above all, the center helps me in rebuilding trust on life and people, and I feel I can be helpful for others in my situation who suffer just like me”, Asma said.
DRC Community/counseling Centers currently assist about 5.000 refugees and vulnerable host population, promoting their co-existence and self-reliance.
