Rayan Kurdi

full interview

Hello, I’m Amal from Witness Change. I’m here to listen to your story and know you more. So please tell us, who are you?
My name is Faisal. I am 30 years old and I am a designer in the field of clothing from Syria and I live in Turkey since 2015.
Ryan, when did you leave Syria?
In 2011, I left Syria and went to Jordan.
To Jordan! You stayed four years there then you come here?
Exactly.
What made you leave Syria?
War Of course.
What is your home village?
I am from Aleppo.
You are from Aleppo! Did the war start close to you?
No, it didn’t start close to us, but the situation was very bad in many areas despite they were far, and it was time for me to do mandatory military service.
How old were you?
I was 18 years old. And at the age of 19 recruitment started, so I preferred to save my life and left. I don’t want to enter the military service and stain my hands with blood. 
What was your feelings once you left Aleppo? Were you scared or did you have hope that tomorrow will be better? I mean in a new country, or were you scared that you’re leaving the country and going to a place where you don’t know anyone?
My feelings were a mixture off sadness and happiness. Happiness that I’m getting out and moving toward my personal freedom, especially by stepping away from that mess and by non-involvement in the mandatory military service. And I were sad because I will leave my house, my family and neighbors and all my beloved people. Honestly, I didn’t have much hope that I would go back because I anticipate things would get worse.
So you went out to Jordan?
Yeah
What did you do in Jordan?
Nothing
Nothing! Didn’t you study? Didn’t you work? Who did you live with? How did you manage your personal stuff?
I lived with my family. I couldn’t study because universities were very expensive. I couldn’t do anything like this and I didn’t even work. My father had a business, he start work there. But for me, I didn’t do anything. 
Why did you decide to come to Turkey later?
To try to study.
What did you want to study?
Restaurants and Hotels Management. 
Was it your dream? Or just a major you picked?
Yes, it was my dream and the major I wanted to purse. I wanted to get the skills and knowledge necessary to become an outstanding chef. But when I came here the reality was different than what I have imagined.
Tell me how did you find the reality here?
It was difficult and there was no financial support for me to study, and it was very hard for someone to study and work at the same time. So I couldn’t study. I focused on work and kept waiting for another chance to happen . However, nothing happens and there is still no chance. 
When you came here, what was your age, Faisal?
Uh, I was between 21 and 22 years old, something like that.
Tell me, where did you live? Where did you stay? How were you able to support yourself?
When I first came, I lived in an area called Zeytinburnu with a friend that I knew from Social Media. I lived with him for almost a year. Then I went out on my own. I start working here. I mean, I got a job.
Now, what’s your living situation like? Describe your home to me. How many rooms is present? and how many people are living there?
I currently live alone. My house have a one room and a small living room. I go out to work in the morning and come back home in the evening. That’s my daily routine and I have nothing new in this regard. 
What is the nature of your work?
I work in the graphic design on CorelDraw software, where I design the accessories for clothes, like dresses. 
Is that job your only resource for income?
Yes. I have no other resource for income.
Do you get any aid or assistance from the country itself or other organizations?
No, none at all.
Is this just for you or for everyone here? I mean do all refugees in Turkey not get any assistance?
Everyone I know doesn’t get any assistance. 
What was your dream before leaving Syria?
I have dreamed of becoming a chef.
Being a chef?
Yes.
Well, that was your dream
Yes, I’ve loved cooking for a long time. And until now if I got the chance or the opportunity to enter an academy I will do, but the situation is very difficult here in Turkey.
In which country do you expect the situation to be better?
I mean, maybe Europe would be easier or maybe Canada, as they give you opportunities to learn something.
How long did your journey from Syria to Jordan and Turkey take? And how? were they through Smuggling or legally?
They were both legal.
They’re both legal?
Exactly. 
Didn’t you face any problems?
No.
Were you here in 2020? and did you witness impacts of Corona pandemic?
Sure.
How did this affect you?
It affected me a lot… 
Did it affect you both financially and mentally?
Everything stopped, everything, literally. Life entirely stopped, work stopped. Of course work.. most people know that most places don’t issue insurance and don’t admit any employment rights and entitlements. So when work stopped, income stopped completely and there were no alternative support or any other income coming to me.
How You were able to support yourself?
By borrowing money. I borrowed money as a debt for about a year before I came back to work. And I them paid all the debt that were on me. Actually, It was very tiring mentally. 
Now what do you wish for? I mean, regarding your current situation, what do you wish for?
I wish to live in a place where I feel stable and safe.
You don’t feel that here?
I never feel it and this is a very annoying thing… that I am not in a safe and stable place. And not able to learn what I love and to develop myself as well. 
For you to become a chef?
Yes
Okay Ryan, I took a lot of your time and thanks a lot for your positive collaboration.
You’re welcome. 
If you have any addition you can add it in order to provide the European community with a clearer picture of the refugees present here. I mean, helping us in that. Tell me a little bit about refugees and the situation. How do you see it here for a refugee?
It differs from one person to another. Now there are people who have succeeded here and have been able to do something and have settled down . How ever, It is not an absolute thing. I mean, because it is very difficult to settle here except for who gets the citizenship. On the other hand, there are many exhausted people and I’m one of them. I am sure that they are all concerned about their safety and stability. At the end of the day, the issue of deportation has become very prominent in Turkey. Unfortunately, deportation will be made to a country where it is impossible for us to think to go because it is difficult to live there. There is no basis for life there, let alone the risk of arrest and similar stuff. I mean “the Syrian Regime ” take out saying the regime if you can-. The Syrian regime was the cause that forced us to leave the country, and it is still exists meaning the problem hasn’t been solved, on the contrary, it is getting worse. How can we go back? And what’s happening regarding the forced deportation, this thing is very hurtful to people. 
Thank you so much Ryan. You have read the form and signed it. Do you have any questions or inquiries?
No
Thank you very much
You’re welcome.
Thank you for your time.
You’re welcome.