This month I will be sharing the story of my friends Mohammad and Saja and their family. Mohammad, Saja and their two daughters moved to Harrisonburg, just a few short months ago after fleeing their home in Iraq. This is their story..
,Mohammad laughs as we sit and talk with our translator Dana, who assisted Mohammad, Saja and family with their move and transition into America. Dana works for Church World Service in Harrisonburg, VA. CWS assists in finding home placement by working with local realty companies and purchasing furniture and even food for the incoming families and individuals, displaced by war. Dana reached out to me, months ago about the Al Nuami family. As a property manager for a local realty company, I was able to locate a small apartment, in student housing for their almost immediate occupancy. The family came to our office, the following day after their plane landed. In most circumstances, they would arrive via plane and come straight to our office to sign their leasing documents. Often times, traveling for days via foot, bus, car and multiple planes and then straight to our chairs to sign their documents. Everything is expedited for these families. I remember some of our staff having to meet some of our refugees in the middle of the night due to flight delays, etc. Many times, I would have to type a lease the day before their arrival, for an incoming family. I cannot imagine flying across the world, with my family, not knowing where we will be sleeping that night. I empathize with their stories. My heart breaks when I see how grateful they are, in comparison to the people I see here in America, over indulging and hands out, expecting. The entitlement factor. Yet, its humbling to see how the refugee families I have met, make these seemingly plain, low grade, apartments, a home. How grateful they are to rest, in all aspects of their lives. The realities of their circumstances make any I have faced, seem trivial.
After my initial meeting with the Al Nuami family, in locating a temporary home for them, I was able to locate a more permanent home within the same complex, for a one year rental agreement. I visited with them (and our translator Dana) at their home, in order to sign and complete leasing documents. I scheduled the appointment at their home, as I know they have no means of travel other than public transportation. In addition, Mohammad has a degenerative blindness condition, that he was born with. His eyesight in incredibly limited and will be gone completely within the next several years. Saja, his wife, is very patient, kind and catering to his needs. I wanted to accommodate their situation and visit them at home. While I was visiting with them, I took the opportunity to ask Mohammad and Saja if they would be willing to be my subjects for this post. Dana translated and we had a long discussion of what this entailed. Prior to this meeting, I made a list of subjects-people-lifestyles that I want to cover and who's stories I want to share. On this list was, a day in the life of a refugee and the day in the life of a blind man. Considering their stories, I was encouraged to ask them. They agreed to the post and were very excited to help me with my project. Here is their story...
After my initial meeting with the Al Nuami family, in locating a temporary home for them, I was able to locate a more permanent home within the same complex, for a one year rental agreement. I visited with them (and our translator Dana) at their home, in order to sign and complete leasing documents. I scheduled the appointment at their home, as I know they have no means of travel other than public transportation. In addition, Mohammad has a degenerative blindness condition, that he was born with. His eyesight in incredibly limited and will be gone completely within the next several years. Saja, his wife, is very patient, kind and catering to his needs. I wanted to accommodate their situation and visit them at home. While I was visiting with them, I took the opportunity to ask Mohammad and Saja if they would be willing to be my subjects for this post. Dana translated and we had a long discussion of what this entailed. Prior to this meeting, I made a list of subjects-people-lifestyles that I want to cover and who's stories I want to share. On this list was, a day in the life of a refugee and the day in the life of a blind man. Considering their stories, I was encouraged to ask them. They agreed to the post and were very excited to help me with my project. Here is their story...
In June of 2014, ISIS invaded their home in Mosel, Iraq. Fourteen days later, they fled to Turkey.
They stated, "It was so scary. For the sake of us and our family, we left."
They left Iraq and their home, inherited from Mohammad's father, with only back packs of personal belongings and "basic items". They stated that they keep in touch with a neighbor who checks on the home for them.
They stated, "It was so scary. For the sake of us and our family, we left."
They left Iraq and their home, inherited from Mohammad's father, with only back packs of personal belongings and "basic items". They stated that they keep in touch with a neighbor who checks on the home for them.
As soon as they arrived in Turkey, they met someone immediately who "helped and guided" them. They were able to register with the U.N. and found an apartment to rent the same day.
Mohammad stated, "In Turkey, there was no help from the U.N.. Everything, we had to take care of."
In their time in Turkey, Mohammad and Saja decided that they wanted to move to the U.S.. "We wanted to move here and start a new life. We didn't want history repeating itself for our daughters."
Mohammad stated, "In Turkey, there was no help from the U.N.. Everything, we had to take care of."
In their time in Turkey, Mohammad and Saja decided that they wanted to move to the U.S.. "We wanted to move here and start a new life. We didn't want history repeating itself for our daughters."
"We feel safe here. You do feel respected when we go to school. They accommodate our daughter's sight and vision issues. People are socialized. People walk up and start conversations and are interested in speaking with us."
"Sometimes, from the media, people may think differently about religions. Actions of bad and evil people..they generalize the hatred and actions of them..Its very hurtful. We escaped from that evil. The people who live that way..we want to live a better life. We were the victims, we were here because of them. We don't want to hear bad news, anymore."
Their oldest daughter was born with the same degenerative eye condition as Mohammad. Mohammad stated, "After we had her, problem and thinking doubled for me. I was so frustrated for my daughter because she has to suffer through the things I suffered through with the progressing blindness." Yet, Mohammad states, "She is so smart. With the help of Saja, she's doing perfect in school. We are very proud of her succeeding despite her disability."
Mohammad further states, "We came to America, also, because we know we would have access to special education for her, so she wouldn't suffer."
"We have been through a lot. But, our main goal was to get them education. We see how they take care of her, it makes us so happy for the time and effort and care they give her. We are so thankful for the special education."
"Yesterday, there was a meeting at school, of all people from school and they all got together for the sake of my daughter. They all had reports of her performance and they discussed how they could provide a special class for her. There was no such thing as these efforts in Iraq for someone who has special needs like her."
Mohammad further states, "We came to America, also, because we know we would have access to special education for her, so she wouldn't suffer."
"We have been through a lot. But, our main goal was to get them education. We see how they take care of her, it makes us so happy for the time and effort and care they give her. We are so thankful for the special education."
"Yesterday, there was a meeting at school, of all people from school and they all got together for the sake of my daughter. They all had reports of her performance and they discussed how they could provide a special class for her. There was no such thing as these efforts in Iraq for someone who has special needs like her."
"We are so happy and excited about our life in comparing all of these pictures. (situations) We are so thankful."
Mohammad inherited his progressive blindness, from his father. He finished school in 8th grade, when he had to quit. He wished he didn't have his condition so he could "graduate, just like other people."
Mohammad feels people are "understanding here" versus "back in Iraq." He was ridiculed and made fun of for his disability. He discussed the school in Waynesboro for the deaf and blind and his plans to enroll.
Mohammad feels people are "understanding here" versus "back in Iraq." He was ridiculed and made fun of for his disability. He discussed the school in Waynesboro for the deaf and blind and his plans to enroll.
"We have been through a lot and we decided to start a new life here. Sometimes, I wish we could have made this trip earlier. We are so happy and excited for our life here."
"We love to socialize and engage with the community. The more diversity, the better."
"Its so nice to have people so friendly, to pass the message down."
When you are a guest in Mohammad and Saja's home, you are treated in a loving, accepting, kind, respectful and generous manner.
It was my honor to meet Mohammad, Saja and their daughters. I am also thankful for our translator and my friend, Dana for his help translating!
To see how you can help, volunteer, make a donation please check out Church World Service on the web.
Thank you for reading!
In light, Danielle
It was my honor to meet Mohammad, Saja and their daughters. I am also thankful for our translator and my friend, Dana for his help translating!
To see how you can help, volunteer, make a donation please check out Church World Service on the web.
Thank you for reading!
In light, Danielle