TSOS Interview Gallery

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Layla

Christophe Mortier, Layla, and TSOS

Layla left Ethiopia 10 years in search of work and lived in Syria for three years. From there she walked from country to country before landing in Germany after having two children along the way. She now hopes to begin a normal life in Germany.
Layla

Christophe Mortier, Layla, and TSOS

Layla left Ethiopia 10 years in search of work and lived in Syria for three years. From there she walked from country to country before landing in Germany after having two children along the way. She now hopes to begin a normal life in Germany.
Fadel

TSOS and Fadel

Fadel's family was originally from Palestine. However, for reasons he couldn’t recall, they moved to Libya, where Fadel was born, and he grew up there. He recalled that life inLibya used to be good, but that it became dangerous. Fadel came to Italy alone. His parents died and left him nothing seven years ago. His siblings died as well. He came to Italy 6 months ago seeking asylum by way of Tripoli to Sabratha, and then to Sardinia and Calabria. He has been living on the streets, and because he couldn’t provide an address, he was denied asylum
Felix

TSOS and Felix

Felix is originally from Nigeria and has now been inItaly under a year. He came from a family with a polygamous father who “married” multiple wives illegally. After returning home from a service mission for his church, which his father supported, Felix began to study engineering. At some point conflict arose within the family that causedFelix to have to flee.He was smuggled through Niger to Libya, losing several friends along the way.There he was held for ransom, before taking a treacherous voyage across the sea in an overfilled boat, where he witnessed several drown. Now he lives in a camp in Italy but is allowed to leave and attend his church meeting
Nicole Ludwig

TSOS and Nicole Ludwig

In September 2016, Nicole Ludwig led a group of her neighbors in Germany to assist newly-arrived Syrian and Afghani refugees. The volunteers collected clothing and toys, organized activities and field trips for the refugee children, and taught them German. Later, the volunteers offered homework support and led library reading groups. For the adult refugees, the volunteers provided cultural assimilation instruction and cooking classes. While there were occasional challenges to working together, the volunteers and refugees fostered a collaborative system and even hosted a Christmas party, during which one elderly Syrian man said, “This is one of the best memories I have so far from Germany.”

Many of the newcomers needed emotional support to heal from their trauma. For instance, Nicole reveals the story of one Afghani woman whose own son was killed by the Taliban in front of her. Another refugee, a child, painted pictures of machine guns and dead bodies, which epitomizes the violence these innocent people face daily.

Nicole brings her four-year-old son to the camp so that he can learn to support the refugees and be aware of the harms so many people face. Nicole insists that “It’s about compassion; it’s about helping other people.”
Aarash

Aarash and TSOS

As an anti-corruption journalist in Afghanistan, Aarash’s family’s life was threatened by warlords. His car was shot at, their guesthouse was bombed, and later when they were threatened at gunpoint, they tried to make a new life in India. But in India, they discovered difficulties in obtaining permanent visas so they had return to Kabul where they hid at a friend’s house for 20 days while obtaining documentation to flee to Turkey. Once in Turkey, they learned that Afghan registries had been closed since 2010. They determined that they needed to either apply for asylum in Turkey or leave for Greece when they were immediately jailed at IDEN for 15 days. Upon release, they were told they needed to pay bus passage to go back to Istanbul and because he had money, he was expected to pay for other passengers as well. Someone put him in touch with a smuggler who was able to get the family to Greece where they stayed in a Refugee Camp.

Life in the refugee camp is discouraging for them. There is no school for the kids. “This is not the life I came for. I thought I will start a new life, but this is also not a new life,” Aarash says. “ I’d like to start work and do something soon. And I don’t like to sit at home only, under this tent.” He explains that he and his wife were appointed leadership responsibilities in the camp, and he hopes to film some stories within the camp.
Aeham

Aeham and TSOS

Aeham Ahmad is a pianist from Yarmouk, Syria who gained internet fame from videos posted of him performing on the streets. Because of this, he was targeted and forced to flee to Germany, leaving his wife and two sons behind. Since this interview, his family has joined him.

Aeham’s talent and fame opened up opportunities to perform in various cities in Germany. To share his story during these performances, he learned English. He wants to use music to make a difference in the world. During his time in Yarmouk, there was an underground area where children practiced music because it was no longer safe to do so on the streets. In fact, a twelve-year-old girl was killed by a sniper while playing the piano with Aeham, which demonstrates the danger faced by these young musicians.

In Yarmouk, Aeham had a falafel business. One day, a bomb exploded near his shop, killing three or four customers. The bomb cut through the leg of Aeham’s friend, and Aeham was burned in the face and hand by the hot frying oil. After going to physical therapy to recover his hand’s abilities, he surprised his doctors with his successful recovery. He can now play the piano again.
Aisha

Aisha and TSOS

Aisha, a Syrian native, lived in Latakia with her Palestinian husband and six children. Their children were not allowed to attend school because of their Palestinian heritage. During the war, mortars and missiles hit the city, and Aisha's brother lost three children. Aisha's uncle in Jordan helped to smuggle their family into Turkey after they decided to escape.

They sailed to Greece with a boat carrying about 350 people. The ship's drivers abandoned it during the journey. To save the children on board, Aisha's husband steered the sinking ship. Her husband was arrested in Greece, and Aisha, who was five months pregnant at the time, hasn't seen him since. She and her children traveled through several countries, including Macedonia and Serbia, sleeping on the muddy ground without food or drink before acquiring the documents they needed to proceed.

Aisha is at ease in Germany, but her children miss their father, and one of her sons was taken away for being disruptive. She is concerned about her husband, who is imprisoned with high blood pressure and heart disease. She wishes life could be the way it used to be.
Bahar and Zarrin

Bahar, Zarrin, and TSOS

Bahar and Zarrin are friends living in Oinofyta Refugee Camp. They are both from Afghanistan but fled very different circumstances. Bahar lived in Iran with her husband until he passed, and she was rejected by her family. As a single woman she faced a life with little rights. Despite major health complications she fled to Greece in a boat. She now lives in the camp, struggling with repeated hospitalizations.

Zarrin left a life of comfort and privilege in Afghanistan and misses home greatly. Her husband was a wealthy businessman and Zarrin taught school. Thinking back on what they lost causes a great deal of grief and sadness.
Bahram & Camila

Bahram, Camila, and TSOS

Bahram tells the story of the Afghanistan's 1992 government collapse and subsequent civil wars that destroyed the city of Kabul. "There was war in every alley, every house, every area and every village. 60,000 people were killed." Their family emigrated to Pakistan and after living there for some time, some relatives of a friend from their village travelled to Pakistan and required lodging so they stayed with Bahram's family. In some developing and under-developed countries, the custom of arranged marriage to child and infant daughters is practiced. These house guests demanded their one-year-old daughter be given in marriage to a man in the guest's family who has close ties to Jihadist commanders and continued to pressure the family with hostility. It continued for years. They sent her to India in order to hide her but she was discovered and threatened. Then they fled to Turkey to escape the demands, leaving the daughter to live in secret in Kabul She has been hiding for five or six years. Bahram had been a police officer in the Ministry of Interior, in the journalism section and because of this and the family enemy situation with his daughter, they cannot return to Afghanistan. "They cut women's noses. They cut their noses and their tongues. We were forced to come here."
Bilal

Bilal and TSOS

Bilal was 23 years old when he drowned in Greece. He was cheerful, intelligent, and full of energy.

He was a journalist in Afghanistan who received a death threat from the Taliban. His family decided that he should flee the country alone for survival since they couldn’t afford for the whole family to go.

He escaped from the camp in Moria by finding a hole in the fence. He outran the police, found a ship in port, and jumped on it as it was leaving. He later had 10 unsuccessful attempts to leave Greece for Germany. He was caught by police from Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria. He said he would try 40 more times and wouldn’t stop until he escaped.

He explained the dire situation of refugees in Greece. Many have used up their money but cannot get work from the camps. On top of that, there is great difficulty in seeking asylum. He says Syrians are allowed in easier due to the war, but Afghanistan is just as dangerous. He came to Greece for safety—not enjoyment—but hasn’t found it. He sought human rights in Europe and was greatly disappointed.
Emal

Emal and TSOS

Emal was a gate security guard in the Afghan army and a supplier for American forces at the airport. Before leaving Afghanistan, Emal was kidnapped by Daesh, beaten, thrown into a pile of bodies, and left for dead. He woke up weeks later in hospital with adent in his skull, brain damage, and mental/emotional problems. When he was able, Emal fled with his wife and six kids, but they travelled with smugglers in separate cars and got separated. Iran police deported his wife and children back to Afghanistan. Emal continued on and eventually made his way to Oinofyta refugee camp in Greece with his sister.
Faroosh and Elina

Faroosh, Elina, and TSOS

Faroosh was a cameraman for a private television program in Afghanistan working on a documentary about the Taliban. When he and his crew were discovered, the Taliban attacked them and he and his wife fled to Turkey, walking 12 hours to get there. Upon arrival the police arrested and harassed them. Turkey was not a safe place. After several suicide bombings in the area, they decided to move on to Greece, where they are in a refugee camp without any progress in their situation. They have no money to move forward and no ability to work and the economic situation in Greece is not good.

“We were an educated family and we want to have a good future and fair life here, but I haven’t found those things here…We believe we deserve a better life than this.”
Fawad and Zakeela

Fawad, Zakeela, and TSOS

Fawad and his wife, Zakeela, have three children. Zakeela was a beautician, and Fawad was a singer in the Baghlan district in Afghanistan. The music he produced was not in accordance with the strict restrictions of the Taliban. They threatened his life and assaulted him many times, so he decided to leave with his family to Kabul. Fawad’s day job was as an FM radio producer; at night, he moonlighted as a singer and musician. He produced music for ceremonies and weddings, often performing for the women’s part, which the Taliban did not accept. Eventually, his life was again threatened, and the family fled the country. Coming to Greece was a difficult transition for them since they had a good house, car, and income in Afghanistan. As of 2018 the family made their way to Paris after several failed attempts at the Croatian border, where police ordered to beat and fingerprint anyone attempting to cross. The family spent 10 days hiding in forests, hiking, sleeping in one small tent with two blankets, and no food or water.
Hamed

Hamed and TSOS

Hamed and his family are from Afghanistan where he worked as a diplomat and interpreter for the U.S. Army after having studied international relations and diplomacy. As the situation with the Taliban worsened it became too dangerous for Hamed and his family to stay in Afghanistan. They began the difficult journey with the help of smugglers, first to Iran, then Turkey, and then to Greece in a dangerous, overfilled boat.

Hamed explains the despair and frustration faced by many refugees. They feel as though very little is actually done for refugees once they’re admitted, and explains they need more assistance. He has great hopes for the future and the lives of his children. He begs people to see refugees as the humans they are and not to disregard their voices.
Idiris

Idiris and TSOS

Idiris is an 18-year-old Somalian refugee now living inUtah. He describes his life, mentioning that he only lived in Somalia for six years then moved to Ethiopia, where he stayed for seven and a half years.His life inEthiopia was peaceful and happy in comparison to Somalia, where Idiris and his family witnessed continuous violence. Idiris’s father eventually learned of the opportunities and education available in America and decided to move his family there for a better life, leaving behind family and friends. Coming to America, Idiris and his family did not know what their new home would be like. They faced hardshipsthe moment they stepped off the plane, the most hindering of which was the language. Although Idiris has now nearly perfected the English language through the help of a translator,the initiallack of fluency caused him to fail his classes and his sister to drop out of school. Idiris has since graduated high school and aspiresto join the marines while further continuing his education. His biggest piece of advice to a new refugee in America is to learn English and to study, sincethatcombination can openopportunities for integration and success.
Ilhan & family

Ilhan and TSOS

Ilhan, his wife Nura, and their children resided near Kabul, in a region where both the Taliban and ISIS were active. As Shias, Ilhan’s family faced numerous menaces, including threatsfrom ISIS that they would be beheaded if they did not display ISIS flags. Ilhan’s sister Radwa, who is deaf and mute, was forced to marry a regional leader. In addition to being threatened on religious grounds, Ilhan’s family was also threatened by anelder of their town. Out of desperation, Ilhan’s family sold their house appliances, escaped Afghanistan, and arrived at the Oinofyta refugee campin Greece. Ilhan’s family fled with Radwa, as well as with Ilhan’s nephew Ziagull who, like Radwa, is mute and deaf. Ilhan says that if his family returns to his hometown,“they will definitely behead us this time round.” Ilhanhas been tortured three times. He feels stuck and wonders how he can help his family. Ilhan wants to live in a peaceful country, where his family is free and is not threatened because they are Shia.
Ilhan, Nura, Radwa, Ziagull and children

ILHAN and TSOS

Ilhan, his wife Nura, and their children resided near Kabul, in a region where both the Taliban and ISIS were active. As Shias, Ilhan’s family faced numerous menaces, including threats from ISIS that they would be beheaded if they did not display ISIS flags. Ilhan’s sister Radwa, who is deaf and mute, was forced to marry a regional leader. In addition to being threatened on religious grounds, Ilhan’s family was also threatened by an elder of their town. Out of desperation, Ilhan’s family sold their house appliances, escaped Afghanistan, and arrived at the Oinofyta refugee camp in Greece. Ilhan’s family fled with Radwa, as well as with Ilhan’s nephew Ziagull who, like Radwa, is mute and deaf. Ilhan says that if his family returns to his hometown, “they will definitely behead us this time round.” Ilhan has been tortured three times. He feels stuck and wonders how he can help his family. Ilhan wants to live in a peaceful country, where his family is free and is not threatened because they are Shia.
Kamaria Bakes

Kamaria, Twila Bird, Lindsay Silsby, Yasmine Kataw, and TSOS

Amina is from Aleppo, where she was a math teacher. She is married with four boys. Her family fled to Turkey from Syria after losing their home in the war. Amina and her youngest son then sailed on an inflatable boat to Greece. Using cars, buses, and trains, they traveled from Greece to Macedonia, then on through Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria before finally arriving in Germany. They stayed for two months in Camp Hamburg before being transferred for a short time to Lemberg. Lemberg was followed by another camp for three and a half months and then to Eisenberg before moving into a house.

2018 Update:

Amina was reunited with her husband and older sons in Nov. 2018. TSOS was at the airport to video that reunion and did an extensive interview with her and her family several days later.
Madina

Madina and TSOS

Madina is from Afghanistan where she had a good life as a hairdresser. She loved her business and was very well off. She faced a great deal of opposition and persecution since she was a woman who owned a business. She faced violence and threats often. Eventually they were forced to sell their possessions and flee with the help of traffickers and had a dangerous and painful journey. Multiple times they were turned away at borders in Greece, Turkey, and Iran. Madina now lives in Oinofyta refugee camp with her husband and 6 children. Her husband has a disability due to violence faced and Madina also has health complications from their journey to Europe. Madina is full of hope for her children’s future and hopes they will be able to study and have a better life.
Morena

Morena and TSOS

Morena has two children and a husband, and she is currently pregnant. Her life in Afghanistan felt normal, and she was able to study there until she had to flee. Her father in law was a truck driver for an American company and he had to surrender several vehicles to the Taliban. They robbed his vehicle and threatened violence. Because of this danger, Morena and her family fled. Their eight-month journey included rejection in Turkey and Iran multiple times and many struggles with smugglers and police. They eventually made it to a camp in Greece.

Because Morena is pregnant, they sent her and her children to a different facility, but her husband stayed on the island. Everyone tells her she should stay put, but she wants the Greek government to help reunite her family. Depression has brought her close to suicide. Morena is shocked by the inhumanity of the separation. The police want to force her husband to forfeit his asylum rights and be deported. They are trying to keep them separated, saying that the only way for him to see his family again is to agree to be deported. Morena wants to be reunited without losing their asylum rights.
Nevin

Nevin and TSOS

Nevin is a civil engineer from Afghanistan who worked with an American company and local government. The Taliban threatened him and demanded he work for them instead and ultimately attacked him on his journey home. After this he began a dangerous journey to Europe full of smugglers, trafficking, encounters with police, poor living conditions and a trip across the Mediterranean in an overcrowded raft.

Nevin ultimately made it to Greece, where he lived in a camp for several months. He received medical care but faced new problems of closed borders and difficulty obtaining papers. He was transferred to a camp in Thessaloniki after several failed attempts to enter Europe and then turned to Germany. Nevin was there repeatedly denied before being smuggled in by foot. He has resided in several camps and is currently taking language classes. He hopes to resume his career and start a normal life.
Pamir and Rahila

Pamir, Rahila, and TSOS

Pamir is from Afghanistan. He is a Hazarah, an ethnic minority group in Afghanistan. The Taliban hates his people. Nearly every member of his family has bullet wounds and war scars. His father was shot during the Mujahedin War and still has bullets in his leg. His older brother is blind in one eye and is still in Iran. His other brother was shot in the head and killed somewhere between the age of thirteen and fifteen. They escaped to Iran from Afghanistan, but the police caught Pamir and took him to a camp. They told him he could either go fight in the war in Syria or they would drop him off on the border of Afghanistan. The family somehow got away and came to Oinofyata Refugee Camp in Greece. Pamir just wants to go somewhere safe and start a new life away from bloodshed and war. They have tents provided by the UN, but still await further aid.
Salman

Salman and TSOS

Salman and his family are from Afghanistan, where he worked as a doctor. He worked for fifteen years for a mining institute, and before that he worked in various hospitals with Americans and Germans for another combined 15 years. The family ran into problems with the Taliban, who threatened violence if he didn’t close his drugstore. During that same time, his son witnessed a suicide bombing at his school. Their daughter was forced to abandon her education when the Taliban poisoned the water at her school. They fled in attempts to live a normal life again and escape the threats on their lives.

They now reside in Oinofyta refugee camp and describe their difficult living conditions. Salman has a variety of health issues that were caused by the stress of their flight. Their greatest desires are to be able to study and resume living their lives they had, far from violence or panic.
Samadi & Sabroo

Samadi, Sabroo, and TSOS

Samadi was a member of the Kurdistan Freedom Party. He joined at the age of 17 andhas been a member for 22 years. This party sought an independent Kurdistan andfought with the invader countries. Samadi lived at the Oinofyat Refugee Camp inGreece at the time of this interview. His daughter was killed by ISIS in 2014 whiledefending Kurdistan. After her death, his family was threatened by the Salafi group.They left to save their lives. Samedi says that the Salafi group rapes and kills children in the name of religion. He says he is a fighter and he is not afraid of the group, but inorder to save his children he had to leave his homeland. He says the Iraniangovernment is using genocide to break the Kurdish unity. He talks about Shigal City,where ISIS took girls and raped them, executed young boys, and buried old peoplealive. He is hopeful that the Peshmarga group—who are fighting against Turkey, Iran,Iraq, Syria, and ISIS—will save his homeland.