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NameFawzi and his wife, Hamide
Gendern
Country of OriginSyrian Arab Republic
Destination CountryGreece
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Its been 11 years since the last time I saw my son. I cant wait to hold him in my arms again! Hamide is taking out her phone and proudly shows photos of her son who lives in Finland, where she and her husband, Fawzi, will soon relocate. Her face lights up as she talks about her son and Fawzi shares her joy and pride: Our boy left Syria to work in Europe when he was just 17 years old. He lives in Finland for 6 years now, where he works as an interpreter and hes engaged with a Finnish girl. It was the first thing I told during the first interview of the relocation procedure! I need to go to Finland! says Hamide. I have three daughters, too. One of them is with her family on the island of Chios. The other two are still in Afrin, our hometown in Syria. I hope they will be able to make it safely to Europe… she adds with a tone of sadness in her voice. Fawzi recounts the couples journey from Syria: we arrived in Greece on February 20, 2016. From Chios we went to Athens and then straight to Idomeni, but we arrived too late, the borders had already closed. We have seen bad things happening at the camp there… after about a month we got back to Athens and started the relocation procedure. At first, we stayed in a squat in central Athens and then we moved to a wonderful hotel in Nea Makri. It was so nice there, so cosy. You know, Greeks have been really supportive and helpful. They understand. I have worked very hard all my life, Ive worked in hospitals, in cafes, you name it, Ive done everything to bring my children up, and Hamide, too. Even now, we have crossed the sea and fields and mountains, we have endured so many hardships just to see our boy again. Hamide nods approvingly: I wish that my girls, too, will eventually join us in Finland so that we can be all together again.

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